I made my version of Vogue 9328 sewing pattern for my birthday last year. Its a new tradition I started the year before, to make myself a new dress for my birthday!
I spend the majority of my sewing time making versions of styles I am developing for my pattern range. Much as I love developing patterns and testing out variations, sometimes its good to break away and just make something totally unrelated to my pattern range. So for birthdays I’ve decided to make a pattern that I just like and would wear to go out for a meal.
Its approaching birthday season for the females in my household which was what made me think about posting this. I then spotted all the chat on instagram about the article written by someone who appeared to think they have the authority to tell ladies of a certain age the “fashion rules”!! So I hereby stand with my fellow #sewover50 ladies loud and proud in my floral dress, which apparently is a big no no!
The pattern is Vogue 9328 which has several sleeve options including long bishop sleeves. It has two skirt length options and a large cutaway at the back. I decided to omit the cutaway. The cutaway isn’t really something the style needs in my opinion and I wasn’t sure it was really me, so I simply filled in the hole and ran the zip up the centre back.
I made the dress in a beautiful Lady McElroy viscose/elastane fabric from my online shop. The fabric worked perfectly, it has a lovely weight about it making the skirt drape well. It has a slightly silky, cool nature making it feel lovely to wear. Elastane just enhances the comfort especially as the bodice is semi-fitted.
Vogue 9328 is described as an easy pattern. I always maintain a pattern is only easy if the fitting isn’t complicated. Knowing the fit adjustments I usually need to do I thought I might need to make a full bust adjustment. I made a toile without any alterations. To my surprise the fit was good so I made it straight from the pattern.
Indeed Vogue 9328 is easy to make. I like the method for finishing the neckline which is bound and then seamed at the centre front. This makes it easy to achieve a perfect ‘V’.
The style has inseam pockets. I wouldn’t naturally think a style like this would have pockets or really need them, but it turns out I love pockets in every style!
The gently fluted sleeves are pretty and feminine. I’m sure that’s probably another no no at my age. All in all I love the dress, it feels great to wear and I feel good wearing it, no matter what the “fashion rules” are!!
