DIY: The Cold Shoulder

Today I’m giving the cold shoulder in my cobalt blue diy off the shoulder maxi dress. But this isn’t quite what I had in mind when I set out to sew this pattern. I had intended on making New Look 6181, view A top and view b skirt.

But once I started cutting into my cobalt blue ponte double knit fabric (which is from Joann.com), I realized that my fabric choice although beautiful in color, was too heavy for this particular dress pattern. But I had already started to cut (rookie mistake) and I didn’t want to waste my fabric, so I tried to think of how I could salvage it.

Because my fabric was a bit to thick and heavy, I could not get the cowl neck to drape properly. It just sort of stuck out from my chest like a v shaped bowl when I looked down..lol so I decided to cut the neck opening a bit shallower and wider, which made it the perfect for wearing off the shoulder. You know I love my shoulders and don’t mind baring them a bit.

And instead of connecting my top and bottom pieces I decided to keep them separate as a skirt and top. I added a 1 1/2″ elastic band to the waist of my skirt and just hemmed up the bottom of my top. Although it looks nothing like the pattern I have to say I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I was able to salvage my material and not only get a “maxi dress” out of it but also two pieces that can be worn separately. A win-win situation if I do say so myself. Don’t you just love it when things seem to go wrong, but turn out so right!

What I’m Wearing:

Top: DIY New Look 6181 View A Bodice Modified

Skirt: DIY New Look 6181 View B

Bag: TJ Maxx

Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: Misses Dress in two lengths and belt

Pattern Sizing:
A Sizes 8-18 I cut the size 14
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not really because of the modifications I made due to choosing a too heavy fabric that didn’t quite drape right at the neck.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes from what I read, although I didn’t end up following them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like everything about this pattern especially the sleeveless or sleeve options for the dress.

Fabric Used: Cobalt Blue Ponte Knit from Joann’s.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I modified the neckline by cutting it a bit shallower and wider to be able to drape off one shoulder. I added about 5 inches to the top bodice piece and hemmed it, leaving it as a top instead of connecting it to the skirt. For the bottom skirt piece I used 1 1/2″ wide elastic and added 4 inches to the skirt for a floor sweeping maxi length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely be sewing this pattern again using a more light weight type knit fabric and I would recommend this pattern to others.

Conclusion:
Even with my error in fabric choice and lengthening modifications this is a great staple pattern to build from and I also want to make a dress that actually looks like the picture on the pattern..lol

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

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