Pattern Review: Style 1055, Simplicity 4882, McCalls 5045

Fabric for dress: Copper/Black Brocade
60″
53% Acetate 42% Polyester 3% Metallic
was 20.00 now 13.00
Copper iridescent taffeta
100% Acetate
7.50
Fabric for shrug: Black stretch velvet
60″
100% Polyester
10.00

Notions: Thread, 18″ invisible zipper, fusi knit interfacing, rayon lining, black velvet ribbon

Alterations: The basic dress is Style 1055 view A.
I did a FBA
and shortened the skirt pattern to above the knee.
I used the pleated flounce from Simplicity 4882 view A.
The width at the lower edge of the dress was 1/2″ larger than the finish width of the pleated flounce so I tapered the dress by 1/2″. There were no alterations to the shrug.

Construction Details: First the patterns–Style 1055 is out of print (OOP) but you can find other empire waist/spaghetti strap dress patterns. McCalls 5045 is also OOP, but it can be purchased on the McCall website and Simplicity 4882 is still available. I fused the entire bodice with fusi knit interfacing to give more structure for the bodice. The pleated flounce called for an 1 1/2″ hem. YUCK!! I simply folded the flounce in half , sewed it to the dress and covered the seam with the lining.

The velvet ribbon was attached by hand. The shrug was very easy-2hrs from cut out to finish. The edges are hemmed by turning in 1/4″ and topstitching. The front closure is the velvet ribbon.

The “sweet inspiration” for this dress was found at the Neiman Marcus website last year (sorry I didn’t download the picture). The designer is Derek Lam and the cost about $800. I wore this dress to a wedding last December so I added the shrug for warmth and for a little more “coverage” at the church. This was an easy dress to make and I got a designer dress without the designer price!