Pattern Review – Vogue 8723 (aka The Forty Frock)
I turned 40 in that birthday no man’s land that sits in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Sucky time to have a birthday and you’d think that by 40 I’d have gotten over used to it but, no, it’s still a sucky time to have a birthday. So two and a half months later, I made a fairly spontaneous decision to mark the occasion with a small gathering of nearest and dearest because, as one mate likes to say, “you may not be around when you’re fifty”. Fair and true enough. But really, I find myself feeling pretty damn bliss-ed out about this time in my life and the people that are a part of it. That may or may not be related to my age and stage, and my 30s were not without their challenges (to be sure), but 40 so far is so far so good.
Now, let’s push aside that uncharacteristic sentimentality and move on to the dress. For this occasion I decided on Vogue 8723.
Do you pick the pattern or the fabric first? For me, this was totally and completely a fabric-first choice. Toffee Drops is a cotton/poly/metal with a beautiful velvet-y flocked, square-ish spot that is unlike any fabric I’ve seen before.
This dress was such a pleasure to sew. I took my time and made a muslin of the bodice to check for a perfect fit, mandatory with this type of design. The pattern caters for A-D bra cup sizes which gives the final garment a lovely shape. Like most Vogue patterns, I found the sizing ran large and I ended up cutting an 8 despite the fact that I generally measure between a 10-12. As with this top, I used a Mokuba grosgrain for the straps.
I added an invisible zip and the dress is fully lined with a black rayon. The metal content of the fabric (7%) gives the skirt a nice fullness which I really wanted. I’ve never before sewn with a metal fabric but I’m in love with the body and hold it gives to a garment. I even love the type of crush it gives.
And, lastly, are the pockets. Lovely pockets hidden in amongst all those lovely gathers.
If you’d like to see another version of this dress, check out Nasrin’s over here.
Brings a tear to my eye…you look absolutely gorgeous!
and make me one please! (the Gabs)
Lovely!!!! i love this fabric 😉
Wow wow wow! Gorgeous dress and looks HOT on you! Happy Birthday 🙂
happy birthday, gorgeously dressed gal! you should just call it your birthday YEAR.
Beautiful job, it's gorgeous on you!
I enjoyed your commentary as well.
Happy Birthday Lisa! Your dress is amazing – I have that pattern, and now I really want the fabric too!
I knew this fabric was a winner!! and so is your dress. Happy Birthday!!
That fabric looks amazing and the dress fantastic.
I liked this dress the first time I saw it on the blog and your version is just stunning.
I have a birthday just after New Years and I agree it is sucky! I'm nearly 50 and haven't got over it either! This pattern is now definitely on my to do list.
Beautiful dress and beautiful fabric!
This is my first blog comment on your blog. I'm with different profession. But, I like to read different blog post on sewing & sewing tutorial. You have shared such a fantastic..
I think I have a crush on your dress….
I love it on you! I bought the fabric yesterday after seeing your photos – it's stunning. I'm not sure which pattern I'll use yet, but I'm thinking pleated skirt… You look fabulous and I'm sure you got lots of compliments on it! Thank you for sharing.
Stunning dress.
Did you line it? If so, what did you use?
What a gorgeous dress… Happy Birthday!!!
Just Beautiful, Very classic looks like something Audrey Hepburn would have worn 🙂
Thanks for all your very kind comments!
JoanneM – the dress is fully lined with our 100% Goldliner rayon.
Happy belated birthday! That dress made me emit a little gasp.. it's so beautiful and you look like a million bucks in it!
pretty!