Friday, June 8, 2012

The Diplomat Dress



As promised, I'm back with the Diplomat dress from Lisette Patterns, Simplicity 1878.  I am in love with this pattern and this dress.  It is easy to sew and easy to wear.  Love, love, love, love, love!  I used a piece of fabric I bought way back in October of 2009.  It is a really nice quality cotton from Makower UK, and I bought several yards, because I had it earmarked for a dress all along!

Look!  SLEEVES!  And not fluttery sleeves or cap sleeves, either.  Lovely, short. but not too short, sleeves!  If you enlarge this picture, you may be able to see the detailing on the bodice.  Four pieces come together right under the vee, and there is topstitching.  It doesn't show up so well on this busy print, but it is a nice detail.


This is a back view showing the scariest part for me: the long zipper.  I don't mind doing skirt zips, because they're short and can be easily hidden if I screw up, but putting a zipper into a dress?  Yikes.  I have to say, though, this went in so easily, I am ready to try it again.

This is how uncomfortable I am posing!  I sometimes just freeze up because I don't know what the heck to do with myself.  But I know it just isn't the same seeing garments on a hanger, so I will stick with it!

A word on the length.  The dress length, view C, was not going to work for me.  View B, the tunic, looked better.  I ended up cutting view B with two inches added.  I wanted it to be knee length, and that's what it took on 5'9" me. 

Now that I'm back on the machine, I've decided to start posting reviews at PatternReview.com as well.  I'm heading over there now, and if all goes well, I will be back to add a link!

Whee!  My first review!  Click here!

6 comments:

Wendy B. said...

I really like this dress, simple and comfy-looking. I'm always looking for tried and true patterns to expand my wardrobe. How do you think this would look on a curvy, 5'2" person?

Darling Petunia said...

Wendy, unfortunately, I have no idea!

prttynpnk said...

Oh, I love it- I've got this pattern, but just wasn't sure about it- yours has sold me. I pose with my dogs alot- gives me something to do with my hands- usually beating them. Just kidding, but seriously- try action shots, they'll distract you from feeling like the center of the universe.

tigergirl said...

Fantastic dress, great fit, awesome print. Had to laugh at your pose - I am worse, I end up looking like a trucker.

Lise said...

Your dress is beautiful! Looks fabulous on you.

Anonymous said...

Hi! I know this is waaaaay late, but I love this dress on you. I'm making the diplomat dress myself and just at the stage of trying to work out exactly which version to do. You've persuaded me to go with the short sleeved version.