Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

It only took me an afternoon to finish another Simplicity 7243 Princess seam ponte knit dress.  I used an Aztec print ponte knit from www.fabricmartfabrics.com.  I matched it with the solid black ponte knit. (Even after I have already mentioned I have a lot of black already in the closet)

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Side View

 Sorry for the wrinkles, I was in a hurry to take these pictures.  The dress fits very well on myself, but I think being in a hurry and the felt of the dressform pulls the ponte knit and acts like Velcro.

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Back View

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Sleeve View

 Pockets!  I love Pockets, even thought I never put anything in there!

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Pocket View

 I used my usual Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 for the neck edge to make a smooth neck line. 

Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress-Neck View





Simplicity 7243 Aztec Print Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

I now have two new dresses to wear to Church this month!  I'm thinking of working on a few day dresses.  Something that I can wear to work around the house in.  Maybe sleeveless and made of jersey knit.

 

Until next time.....................

 

Bonnie

Simplicity 7243 Tan Chevron Princess Seam Ponte Knit Dress

I'm back to sewing my tried and true TNT dress pattern.  I tried to mix and match a few of my ponte knit fabric for a new dress.

First Choice: Solid brown with chevron print = "no, didn't like"

Ponte knit fabric

 Second Choice: Black with chevron print = "Better, but I have so much black already"

Ponte Knit Fabric

Third Choice: Tan with chevron print = "Liking a lot"


Ponte Knit Fabric

 I use a vintage clothes dryer to hang my cut pattern pieces to keep them organized and since I cut two dresses out at once, it keeps the pattern pieces separated.

Organized pattern pieces

 When I sew with ponte knits, one of my favorite tools is Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 in 1/2".  I use it to fuse sleeve hems, neck bands and sometimes the hem of the dress.

Lite Steam-A-Seam 2

 I snip every inch or two on the paper of the steam-a-seam so that it will curve around the neckline.  Then I finger press it onto the fabric before using the iron.  Peel off the backing then turn the neckline and finger press again to make sure there are no wrinkles.  Once everything looks ok, I'll press with the iron and stitch down.

Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 neckline ponte knit



Pressing Steam-A-Seam 2 onto neck edge

 Neckline turned down and finger pressed.



Ponte knit neck edge turned down lite steam-a-seam 2

 Neck line stitched and finished.



Ponte knit neck line stitched

 This dress goes together so easy.  I love that I can mix and match prints and solids and that it's so comfortable to wear.

Simplicity 7243 Ponte knit dress

 Of course any dress with pockets is a great dress!



Pockets!



Side View



Back View



Pocket Close-up

 This is probably my 5th version of this dress and I don't think that I will ever tire of it.  I have a million options in my head for this pattern.

Simplicity 7243 Tan Chevron Princes Seam Ponte Knit Dress

 This dress only took 1 yard of the Deep Almond Ponte Knit and 1.25 yards of the Chevron Ponte Knit.  The fabric totaled $10.42 + $1.00 in notions for a total of $11.42! That's not too bad for a great fitting one of a kind dress!



$11.42 Ponte Knit Dress

I have a second dress cut out ready to sew, I am hoping to get to it before the weekend so that my sewing area is clear and cleaned before I start my next project.

Until next time...................

Bonnie

New Look 6104 Dress

Believe it or not, I finished this dress last Wednesday but it took me a week to sew on 10 buttons!  It's funny how life will get in the way of a small task that turns it into a week long saga of button sewing.

I was really excited about this New Look 6104 pattern because of the kimono style sleeves and the length of the skirt but since I'm super curvy the button front can be a little of a problem.  This one is not too bad but I will wear it tomorrow as my dress of the day and I'll let you know if this curvy girl can wear a button front dress.


New Look 6104 Dress Pattern

 I instructions were easy and the constructions was very simple.  I had to do my usual FBA and add to the hipline of the skirt.  I used a cotton textured fabric from my stash pile as just a muslin but it is wearable as a day dress.  It's just a little too busy for me to wear it out to the grocery store......

New Look 6104 Dress-Front View

New Look 6104 Close-up

 I'm hoping that once I wear the dress with correct undergarments that you won't be able to see the front facing pieces.  The fabric is not sheer but light.  Great for Florida summer wear.

New Look 6104 Dress

 I had changed my serger thread to black right before starting this project and I didn't want to change it AGAIN so I just used my pinking shears on the seams.

New Look 6104 Dress-Back View



New Look 6104 Dress-Inside View Construction

 I give this pattern a 4 out of 5.  It gets pluses for ease of construction and minimum pieces and the use of only 3-1/2 yards of 44" wide fabric.  I do love the neckline and the kimono sleeves and the length of the skirt. 

On the other side, I'm still not sure of the button front.

New Look 6104 Dress

I do not know what is next on the cutting table.  Dear Hubby bought me a new bed yesterday so I have to clean out the bedroom to make room for delivery on Monday.  I am also meeting up with my Mother this weekend for lunch for Mother's Day.  There just isn't enough hours in the day!

Until next time......................

Bonnie