Neoprene Delight!

How’s this for a One Yard Wonder?

It’s true – I made this dress with one yard of Mood Fabric’s Watercolor Clouds Digitally Printed Stretch Neoprene. There’s more where this came from too. Check it out here. I want the one with the lips if some cool blogger like Oonaballoona or Sallieoh doesn’t beat me to it

Seriously, this is the best knit fabric ever……

It’s perfect for a fitted dress. I’m not even sure this is my shape, but it’s the shape of my pattern and the neoprene follows orders beautifully!

My pattern is Vogue 9047, another wonderful discovery with its flattering raised waistline. Other than adjusting the length in the bodice I made zero fitting alterations, and best of all, this pattern is a blank canvas just waiting to come to life! I look forward to creating variations on this well-drafted beauty.

Since my fabric spoke volumes, I omitted the optional tabs seen in the sketch and kept it simple. The pattern requires lots of narrow hems and topstitching which went smoothly after I switched to a STRETCH needle.

Steam-a-Seam stabilized the curved edges in the neck and arms but the topstitching the the hem and along the upper bodice sewed easily on its own.

Two tips to pass along when sewing with neoprene: Keep a silk organza press cloth handy and use a smooth (as opposed to perforated) tracing wheel.

I simply love a dress that can transport me from one occasion to another!

Fortunately this one can be dressed up or down and travels beautifully – never a wrinkle anywhere or anytime

Can you endure anymore of my gushing? Rest assured, it’s all sincere for I just adore this relatively new fabric dominating the RTW scene, and hope to sew with again many times.

Until soon!

ADDENDUM!

For those interested in the difference between neoprene and scuba knit, read Neucarol’s blog post @ http://www.neucarol.com/blog/is-it-neoprene-or-scuba-knit-should-i-care/ for a thorough explanation.