If someone had to describe what I’m best known for, it definitely wouldn’t be solid fabrics or extra added details! I’m more of a “let the print do the talking” girl. But every once in a while, I enjoy a wee challenge just to remind myself that I know how!
Enter this pretty cherry red poly double knit crepe, with patch pockets, a zipper and a hidden buttonhole! The fabric was only in my stash for a day or two before I decided to use it as a wearable muslin of the Style Arc Adeline dress. So many of you had recommended this pattern when I asked for a cocoon dress with boxy sleeves on Instagram, and you were right – it’s a great pattern! Style Arc had a sale that weekend, so it was an easy choice.
One of the nice features of the dress is the wide facings for the neckline and hem. I don’t usually like v-necks because they flash show too much bra, but this one is so pretty! I even did a decent job of coverstitching around the point of the V.
I almost, almost didn’t put the pockets because I got lazy… but come on girl, just do it! Patch pockets can be hard on a knit, and in a solid there is nowhere to hide. I used knit stay tape along all the edges, and used a narrow zigzag to attach them on.
Inside the pocket there is a little secret – a button hole so that my sister can thread her insulin pump through and access the controls discreetly! Anne wrote a great post for the Sewcialists called Sewing for my Insulin Pump, and this was one of the suggestions we haven’t tried yet!
While I was at it, I also added a zipper in the back – not normally necessary in a cocoon dress, but I wasn’t to practice for some more accessible clothing I have planned for someone later this year. I finally used an invisible zipper foot for the first time, and WOW! So much easier that using a regular zipper foot! I used non-stretch interfacing and it went in beautifully.
So, voila! Proof (to myself) that I can handle zippers, buttonholes, and visible topstitching on a solid fabric! Hardly revolutionary, but fun nonetheless. Now I’ll go back to sewing a crazy print, ok?
Happy, the dress looks great on Anne – and great minds clearly agree that a v-neck dress needs a scarf in winter! This one is Liberty wool that she liberated from my mom, I believe… which makes me feel either better or worse about this beautiful wool scarf of mom’s the I borrowed 6 years ago and kept! Mom, do you forgive us?
Happy sewing to all of you!
Crafting A Rainbow 
Fabulous in cherry red – and very thoughtful too with the insulin pump hole! Great job. And, you can always jazz up plain with patterned accessories.
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Anne has a huge collection of handknit scarves, so I’m hoping this goes with a lot of them!
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Scarves are great accessories – can really change the outfit.
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Love it!! I’ve been meaning to make this one and just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I was wondering what knit project you were putting that zipper in, now I know! Hope your sister loves it!
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Make an Adeline, Megan!!!! DO IT!
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I’m loving this colour on you, Gillian! And your sister looks equally lovely in it as well.
And yes, it’s hard for us print fans to not want to add more colour or drama to solid fabric makes!
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I’ve got another version of the dress planned for Anne in windowpane check – phew, a print! 😉
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Your mother has to forgive you. At least your best friend didn’t steal it and then lose it. Ask me how I know 🙂 What a terrific secret buttonhole you’ve created. One day in 70 years your lovely dress may find itself in a vintage shop and no one will know what on earth that was about 🙂
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Hahaha – I love the idea of future wearers wonder WTF was going on with that hole!
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You look great in this dress. I like the accessories you and your sister put with the red. Very nice. Thank you for your photo and post.
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Thank you! This red is a bit out of both of our comfort zones, so I’m surprised how much we both like it!
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It looks great! And the insulin pump button hole is *genius*! I have to try that on something for my sister!
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Do it! Where does she normally keep her pump? Anne often clips hers to her bra, but it’s nice to have other options that don’t involved reaching down your neckline in public to adjust things! 😉
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She’s done everything from bra to waistband, and even the leg strap under super formal wear. This seems like such a more practical solution!
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These pictures are gorgeous. Love the dress on both of you & both stolen scarves!
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My mom has excellent taste in scarves! I also can’t think when I last say a delicate woven wool scarf for sale – I feel like it’s a lost genre nowadays!
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Your dress looks great and such a lovely colour. I know what you mean about zips! In the past my invisible zips have been extremely visible and I discovered it was because I was using a regular zipper foot. So last weekend I purchased a concealed zipper foot – OMG!!! what a difference! The zip for a dress I’m wearing to a wedding went in like a dream 😊
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This is gorgeous, too, but I’m a big lover of solids! Now I’m trying to figure out how you turn a corner on a cover stitch…
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