Vogue 8411

Last year I was so inspired to design my own collection for the Fall. It was too difficult for me to select a few pieces as there is so much I want to sew and create. So I decided to do a dress collection instead. This particular dress caught my eye in Summer 2007. JoAnn's was having their usual sale on Vogue patterns ($3.99), I thought the dress was cute, and so I bought the pattern.

I made a muslin first, because of my typical upper body alterations. Posted it here hoping to get some viewer comments. At first sight, my DD said, "It looks like a night gown." So I put a belt around it and posted the photo on the blog. It recieved mixed reviews, but I thought the belt version in a nice fabric would dispell the notion that this dress looks like a night gown. Linda ,Danvillegirl, suggested that I contact Dawn, Secret Pocket, for some assistance with making this dress. Dawn made some very good points on how to handle putting this dress together. Thank you Dawn and Linda.

Pattern Description: MISSES’ DRESS AND SASH: Loose-fitting dresses have pleated front with topstitching details and sash. A: above-knee length, two-piece sleeves with elastic casings. B, C: mid-knee length with topstitched hems. B: three-quarter length, gathered, bound sleeves. C: long sleeves with elastic casing.

Pattern Sizing: 6-20, I made between size 12 and 14. View C and the sash.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? As other reviewers noted, the instructions on how to form the pleats was a little on the vague side. I tried to follow the recommended technique #4 but had a difficult forming the pleats. It may be easier with a woven fabric. After second try and being on the verge of chewing nails, I decided to sew each pleat at the fold line on the wrong side. Then I top stitched each to stablize them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the pleats and the square neck.

Fabric Used: Ponte de Roma Knit from JoAnn's Fabrics

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: From the muslin, I noticed some drag in the bust area. Dawn recommended adding one pleat to the front (also widening the straight yoke part beneath them), and add the rest at the side of the pleats. I followed adding more wideth to the pleated area, but I incorporated the additional wideth into the 20 or so pleats of the design. When I made the yoke wider it was too wide for me. This looked better, but I still noticed some drag.

I changed the depth of the hem only turning under one inch then topstitching. I did not have enough fabric to add the necessary length for my height and do a 4" hem.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Not for myself. I guess I would recommend it to others but with modifications on how to form the pleats and stablizing them. This pattern should have been rated intermediate. The pleats along requires skills above beginner and the patience of Job.

Conclusion: I like my dress; it doesn't look like a night gown, but it is very comfortable.