Hooray I’ve finished my second version of New Look 6864. This time I’ve shortened the dress length, fully lined the bodice and underlined the skirt with silk charmeuse and added contrast piping to the midriff section to compliment the creamy polka dots in the fabric.
I love this pattern – it’s so easy to knock up, despite what seems like complicated instructions for attaching the bodice to the top yolk and the midriff section. The only fiddly bit was sandwiching the piping in there but with some patience and plenty of pins it all came together.
I used French seams on the side and centre seams and slip stitched the yolk facings to the lining. See how neat it is? If the zipper wasn’t on the other side I reckon this could be reversible! Maybe not… 
I couldn’t find ready-made piping in the right colour to match the polka dots so I tried tea-dying some ivory piping first with hilarious results. Then I realised I had loads of calico for muslining which was the perfect colour match! One length of cording and a piping foot later I had just enough to circle the empire waist. I wanted to include piping on the neckline too but that would have been a real headache when I looked at how that part was constructed and I’m glad now I didn’t as it might have been a touch too prissy.
I must reiterate – this is not a maternity pattern, so you don’t have to be preggers to give it a go. I just cut one size bigger in the skirt pieces and gathered a bit more to give me more room. This will last me at least another month or two I think.
Total costs:
Pattern: Already used so not counted as cost
Fabric: Approx three metres of petrol blue polka dot from Ditto Fabrics – £22.72 inc delivery
Lining: Approx two metres of grape silk charmeuse – £3 bargain
Zipper: About £2
Thread: About £3
Piping: Cord and calico from stash
Total: £30.72
Time taken: About 6-8 hours in total
I also think this could work with a stretchy knit and no fasteners as long as you finish the arm holes properly. Perhaps another version in the pipeline? Ooh maybe I should just move onto something else now…!
And in that very spirit I’ve traced and cut out the pattern pieces for this Kwik Sew 3486 which Dibs so kindly sent me. This one is a maternity pattern and I plan to use my recently purchased elephant print viscose from Ditto fabrics to knock up version A with the sleeves. I find the envelope illustration terribly mumsy – am thinking if I hike up the skirt and sleeve length and use a fun print it’ll seem a lot less vanilla. What do you reckon?
What are you working on at the mo?
Oooh lovely! Piping really makes it extra special.
I’ve have had my eye on a similar fabric but it’s polycotton so I’ve not bought it. Yours is 100% cotton right?
Yep it is – thanks!
Ooh! It’s really, really lovely! A great fit, and the colour is perfect. Nice job!
Oh too pretty! I am on an end of summer dress making run- I think I need this pattern!
You would so suit this style!
Love this dress but gotta ask – are you intentionally using the elephant print for a maternity dress or is it a subconscious slip?
Thanks Clare. I never connected elephants with maternity, I just thought it was a nice pattern.
Joanne, this is delightful…the print and piping are both lovely and I cannot believe how neat it is inside. Good work! You bump is looking super cute by the way and I reckon you can totally rock the Kwik Sew maternity dress in a non-mumsy way!
Thanks Marie! I’m obviously looking forward to this Kwik Sew pattern as I dreamed about it last night. Sad or what?
I love your version, I also piped the waistband on mine (and the neckband) but I have trouble understanding the bodice instructions. In the end I just made it up how I thought best as the instructions really confused me plus I was adding piping so I hand stitched the facings to finish.
I absolutely LOVED your version! Particularly those tabs coming over the top of the neckline – it was really cute
Wow! I can’t get over how many beautiful garments you are churning out WHILE PREGNANT! So impressive!
Heheh Gillian cheers – let’s hope I can get some wear out of them post-pregnancy too, but it might be nice to pass them on to someone else.
Beautiful! Good decision on the piping – it looks just right!
I don’t know if it’s the color or the style or both, but the dress looks perfect on you. The piping really looks good. I can’t wait to see what you do with the maternity pattern.
Your spotty frock is lovely!
Beautiful dress! And, you look fabulous!
I love everything about the dress! The colour, the piping makes it special and the lining is very classy!
Lovely use of piping. I’m a sucker for navy with white polka dots, so this looks like perfect dress to me.
Gorgeous! Love the piping – it sets it off beautifully.
I reckon you could totally make that other dress into a non-mumsy style. It’s all in the fabric…. (And not using 3/4 length sleeves, which looks to really be bumping up the mumsy styling. Hmmm.)
My thinking exactly Kat
Nice touch with the piping! Lovely dress!
So, so pretty. I LOVE the last photo and your little bump.
This is so lovely. I love the fabric, it looks so rich, and the inside look as good as the outside!
What a great dress! You look really good in this. Love the piping around the waist.
This looks so lovely and silky against the skin! And you my dear look simply beautiful! I love the idea of this in a knit. That may help take it further as maternity wear.
How cute! I really like this dress! It’s such a great color, and it’s very flattering and sweet! I just finished up Megan Nielsen’s Rie dress for my sister (she’s due in January) today, and I’m hoping to whip up a piece a month for her until then.
Great dress. Love that fabric colour! I think that kwik sew pattern would definitely look nice with a slightly shorter hem length!
So cute! I love the added piping… and the teeny baby bump
You’re such a cutie, Joanne. I love it!
Were you not showcasing your little bump in the one pic, no one would ever know you even had one! That dress is so darling on you and you look so polished and pretty – lovely job!
Love it!!! And so super neat inside. I’m still producing rather shoddy work on the inside of my makes, so it’s something I need to start working on I think! And look at your lovely baby bump!!!
Joanne, this is the most elegant and perfect maternity dress (even though it’s not officially a maternity dress!) I’ve ever seen. You look absolutely beautiful. x
awh Jane – in my current emotional/hormonal state you’ve just made me cry! Thank you very much
xxx
Lovely, your colour choices are great
I don’t know anyone who’s been very pregnant recently but isn’t the envelope lady’s bump a bit low and sharply jutting? I suspect it may have some cushion genes…
Ooh do you think she’s doing a Beyonce?
Oh wow! You look so lovely. As does the dress too! What a fab pattern. I wouldn’t have thought by the models on the package