Vogue 1268 Finis!

The pattern describes it as "a very loose fitting, lined, wrap dress with a pleated blouson bodice, shaped front hemline and fold-back cuffs."

My description: "Ultrasuede blouson wrap coatdress."  If it were made of a light suede or chamois, I could wear this as a dress, but the Ultrasuede is a medium weight and not supple enough for the movement a "dress" requires.  Claire Schaffer says to wash the ultrasuede first, but it was expensive and I was afraid to try since the fabric clearly stated to dry clean only.

Instructions:  This is the first time I had a problem with a Guy Laroche pattern.  First, I did not interface the right front of the garment.  After many tests, I found it made the front too stiff for the soft fall that the blouson needs.  Don't interface the bodice right front unless you like it to stand away from your body!  There were a couple of places where the instructions could have been more explicit.  I had to tack the lining in by hand, their directions would have pulled the bodice seam allowance forward, I didn't want that.  Also, it's very difficult to get a hand needle through two layers of this material...ouch!  I machine top-stitched the cuffs.  You can forget about marking the snaps, I had to move the dress around a bit before I found that sweet spot that gives the most flattering shape, I imagine it will be a little different on everyone.  I cut the hem carefully as I noticed that the skirt is not hemmed, I like that.

I had my doubts about this as I constructed and fitted, it seemed to be unflattering until the very end, then, wow!  It turns out to be a very fresh, cute, kind of sexy, and very stylish little coatdress.

I'm taking a business trip to San Francisco and will wear it with a black turtleneck shell, black tights and black boots.  I guess I'll be taking those off for TSA :(.

I love the pattern, but won't make it again, it's a strong statement and one is enough.  I can see this style in a lightweight double knit, either in black, or a vibrant blue.  My advice is to use the pattern as a guide,  your hands and intuition will smooth all the pieces to fit your body just right.

My Guy...Laroche,that is. Vogue1268

It's the rust suede dress in the center, cute huh?

Guy and I are having an affair.  Lately, I've made several of his house's designs, am working on this one, and have another one coming up.  First of all, they fit me very well, and, I just love the designs.  This one is out of UltraSuede and presents a few challenges; marking and basting must be done carefully, needles will leave little holes in the fabric.  The pattern gives tons of ease, I personally don't want it that big.  I didn't do a FBA, just cut my regular size and you can see there's lots of breathing room.  Guess it's good I'm doing this one around the holidays... ;-)

Happy Thanksgiving!  Blessings to you and your families.

Here is the line drawing.  I prefer to use these as a guide rather than the photos on the pattern.  I'm planning on having it turn out more like this, than the pattern photo- which is huge.

You can see there's plenty of room, still keeping the designer's plan for an easy top.

Here's how I basted the pleats

I always love to see how everyone works.   I keep my tools, and especially the pattern, very close by.  I pick up the pattern and look it over quite a bit during the sewing process, it's my way of double checking the details before the needle hits the fabric.