Refashioned Denim Dress

I just love how this denim dress turned out!  Sadly I haven’t gotten to wear this except for taking the pictures as it’s still way too hot to wear denim here in Florida!  But once winter comes this will be my go to dress.  You can never have too many shift dresses!

I’ve made this pattern, Anne Klein for Vogue Patterns V1382, as a top a few times now, here and here, but this is the first time I’ve made the pattern as it was intended- a dress.  Bonus-it’s a total refashion!  I made this up from a pair of old jeans from my father, a Goodwill chambray blouse that I bought for it’s buttons-used on my Holly Hawthorn Dress– plus the lining is a beautiful faux silk lining from one of my earliest makes, a Renaissance gown that is too big now and I took apart to remake for Ami.

I carefully cut my denim to save as much as possible while leaving the pockets intact. This pattern was a perfect choice as its made of panels that require less yardage.  I still needed to piece together my skirt (3 panels front and back) and front bodice, but because of the contrast panels it looks pretty seamless.   Totally accidental,  but I love how the angled lines change direction at CF in the chambray bodice.

I really like using the Designer patterns from Vogue, I learn something new every time I make one and love the really thorough instructions.  This dress is fully lined with an invisible zip and interesting bodice seamlines.   I wear a 12 in most Vogue patterns though my measurements put me in a 16 since they tend to have so much ease built in and I prefer a very fitted silhouette.  It’s a bit tight right now in the skirt but I always put on weight in the summer.  I’ve already dropped some weight from my school walks with the kids.  4 miles a day!  I now this will fit perfectly by the time I’m ready to wear it in the winter.

I love the hidden copper lining.  Even though no one sees it but me it’s so lovely, one of my favorite colors, and feels wonderful.  Most of the dress was sewn up on my regular machine and then serged.  I added some topstitching to the bodice yoke and hem and hand finished the shoulder seams, french tacks at the hem and hook and eye closure at the neck.

I’m really happy with the finishing and fully enclosed lining.   I already have another version planned out once I find the perfect fabric, I’m thinking of color blocking this in a ponte in Lavender, White and Navy with zipper pockets.  You can see my inspiration pin from Jones NY here.  It’s what led me to purchase the pattern in the first place.  I’m on the hunt~!