Vogue 8603 - A Side-Ruched Skirt

I decided I needed a light gray skirt so I used some lt gray suiting fabric that I bought from fabric.com last year. My intention was to knock off a JCrew dress I had seen, but the longer I waited the less I wanted to make the dress. I used Vogue 8603, View A. I cut a size 12 and did not make any alterations in this pattern except to use an invisible zipper. This one went in better than the one for my previous Verite dress.

I lined the skirt. I followed the directions for the lining, but if I had it to do over again, I would cut a lining piece for the lower skirt. Here is how it came out:

side view

anthropologie knockoff #3--the Verite Dress

I was yet again perusing anthropologie.com when I shouldn't have been and saw this gorgeous "Verite Dress". I knew wasn't paying $158 for it, so I began figuring out how I would knock if off. The Selfish Seamstress and I were thinking along the same lines, because here is her version. She drafted hers from scratch, something I do not know how to do, so I started with McCalls 5881, View D. I altered this pattern to get as close to the anthropologie dress as I could. Here is the original anthropologie dress.

upclose of midsection of anthropologie dress


original anthropologie Verite Dress

First, I chopped the top of the skirt section off so that there would be a middle section and added some to the top with wax paper so that it would have a V. I also did the same in the back except I did not V the back at the top middle section.

Then I forgot to fold out the dart for the skirt section, so I just eased it when I was sewing. There was too much dart in the back skirt to fold out or ease, so I just put them in.

alterations to front
I trimmed the bottom portion of the bodice on both sides of the dart so that it would match the top of the middle section the I added a V to. I also cut the front bodice on the fold like the original Verite dress and raised the neckline so that it would not be so low cut. I cut a size 12 in the pattern, but had to taper in to take a deeper seam allowance on the sides of the front bodice. I probably should have just taught myself to do an SBA at this point, but what I did worked well enough. I interfaced the bodice and middle section and added boning to both the side seams.

The back of my dress has a middle section unlike the original Verite dress. It was a pain getting the seams to line up when I inserted the invisible zipper, but I finally did it. WHEW!!

I used a Worsted Stretch Flannel Latte from fabric.com. It is 96% wool and 4% lycra. Here is a closeup below:

I faced the bodice and middle section and lined the skirt. Here is a pic of the inside.

sorry for the wrinkles, I took this pic after wearing it today :)

And finally, here is my knockoff. It is not exactly like the Verite, because the bust darts don't go all the way to the neckline, and as I mentioned before the back is in three pieces instead of two. However, it is close enough to make me happy.

First the front and back of the dress.

front back



I topstitched in brown Maderia machine embroidery thread.















back bodice closeup front bodice closeup

cardigan, F21
belt, ??
brown patent kitten heels, Target
necklace, Etsy seller

Thanks for reading. I am sorry for some of the wonky spacing in my post. i just cannot seem to make Google Blogger do spacing like I want.

Fabric Shopping

Thank you, readers, for all the lovely comments on my Owl sweater.
I checked my blogroll this morning and A Sewn Wardrobe blogged about the $1.95 sale at fabric.com on The Vera Lavendar Collection. I had eyeballed a few of those fabrics awhile back and almost bought a piece when it was on sale, but I am so happy I waited. This morning I went fabric crazy shopping, but not fabric crazy spending. I purchased $50.71 for $38.05. Fabric.com gives free shipping with a $35 purchase and I had a coupon code for 20% off. There are plenty of coupon codes for fabric.com on retailmenot.com. Unfortunately I had already used the 30% off coupon. Readers, I feel like I stole those fabrics. I don't have any idea what I want to make out of most of them, but it will be fun planning. There was on fabric that was low on yardage when I ordered, so I hope I get them all. Here is what I bought:


1. Designer Techno Taffeta in Emerald and Navy (2.5 yards each):



















I plan to make S2497 out of one of these and maybe S2724 out of the other.

2. Polyester Blend Houndstooth Suiting Chartreuse (3 yards). No clue what I will make:


















3. Wool Blend Tweed Boucle Suiting Teal (3 yards).
I am thinking I will make a cute jacket out of this in a Chanel vibe. I am hoping this fabric is more green as it appears online, but if not it is still pretty.

















5. Wool Blend Boucle Suiting Cobalt Multi (3 yards). Jacket, skirt?













6. Polyester Boucle Suiting Navy (3 Yards):
I am taken with what looks like black threads running through this fabric. I love navy and black together.

















7. Wool Blend Boucle Suiting Ivory (3 yards):
I am thinking a Chanel-ish jacket with black trim.












8. Stretch Luxe Jersey Knit Cream (3 yards):
I am thinking of a gorgeous wrap dress out of this a la Erica. I tried to link directly to her post on this, but I couldn't. She made Vogue 1087 out of some cream fabric that is gorgeous.

















9. Printed Brocade Floral Amber (3 yards):

















I have had my eye on this fabric for awhile. I plan to use it to knock off this lovely dress that used to be on Nordstrom's website:


I think this is such a cute look with the cardigan.
If I counted correctly, that is 26 yards of designer fabric for $38!!! Until next time.

Owls...1st major knitting goal

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and are having a Happy New Year!!! I have been absent for awhile, but I have been sewing and knitting. I have a sewing project to show you but not today because I haven't photographed it. I do have a knitting project. I began knitting 11 months ago after having wanted to most of my life. What really made me start was the desire to knit the Owls sweater by Kate Davies. I finally did it and it fits perfectly. I am so happy it fits. I learned to do short rows on this sweater, a technique that frankly I have been scared of. It wasn't bad at all. Even though you can't see them all in the photograph, I sewed buttons on all 18 owls for a total of 36 buttons. It took me 1 hr, 15 min so I hope they don't pop off. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky yarn in the color Silver Grey to make this sweater.

I kept a diary as I knitted and here it is:

I made the s/m (18 owls) exactly from the pattern with my only mod being to add an extra row of stockinette before starting owl chart.

This sweater fits perfectly. I am thankful I had no back pouf problems.

Dec 3, 2009 - cast on for small–after looking at circumference of bottom ribbing, I decided it was too small
Dec 4, 2009 - ripped out previous cast on and then cast on for s/m in an attempt to get a 34” chest.
Dec 9, 2009 - finished back waist decreases and began back waist increases
Dec 18, 2009 - finished stockinette up to armpit and began short rows to dip yoke. Hmmm…interesting that these short rows don’t seem centered, but what do I know, I have never done short rows before–I am just going with it
Dec 19, 2009 - finished body and about to start sleeves–somehow ended up with 49 stitches on front instead of 50 for a total of 107 instead of 108. I will just increase an extra stitch when I start the next row. One armhole is looking larger than the other…
Dec 26, 2009 - finished first sleeve
Dec 28, 2009 - finished second sleeve
Dec 31, 2009 - finished owl chart—I added an extra row of stockinette before I started to chart to have a good foundation row (the only mod I made)
Jan 1, 2010 - finished sweater except for sewing on buttons for eyes.. a great way to begin the new year!!!
Jan 4, 2010 - ordered 3/8” clear-ish Dill buttons (stock #79)
Jan 8, 2010 - sewed on 36 buttons in 1 hr 15 min. I hope they don’t pop off.
Jan 10, 2010- wearing sweater for the first time to church on Sunday night
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Here is the back of the sweater: