More Nostalgic Sewing: Vogue 9268

Here is another version of Vogue 9268.  

I think I have already mentioned that Vogue 9268 is a favourite pattern?  It's nice to have another version of this dress to wear when the mood strikes.  Over the years, I made four versions of this pattern but as of today, there are now only two sitting in the closet.  There were some lessons learnt along the way.  This pattern does well with a knit fabric that has some drape.  

The pattern recommends rayon / spandex, cotton / spandex and ITY knits.  I avoid rayon fabrics so that suggestion falls on deaf ears.  The first version I made was in an ITY knit, it draped beautifully.  Over the years since making that one, I stopped wearing polyester.  So, the first one found it's way to the donation pile.  The second version I made did not have enough drape and ended up being refashioned and then I outgrew the revision.  This version is made with a bamboo French terry.  

The fabric has been in the stash for years.  I will admit that I was a bit nervous about this fabric when I first picked it up.   It is made up of 67% bamboo, 28% cotton and 5% spandex and shrinkage would play a part in how it wears.  Bamboo is said to have a shrinkage rate of 6%, whereas cotton has a 4% rate.  The fabric was pretreated with a tumble through the washing cycle and time in the dryer.  Just in case any further shrinkage may occur, I will be handwashing and hanging this dress to dry.  It has a lovely drape for this pattern.  

The pattern did have some changes and alterations before it was used to cut the fabric.  First up was shortening the length.  And even though I made view A and shortened the pattern, it looks like I made myself view B.  The sleeve length was also shortened.  Then I changed the V-neckline to a rounded neckline.  The dress pieces were cut on the fold eliminating the centre front and back seams.  I cut the dress as a medium with the exception for the side seam at the underarm to the waist which was cut at the large cutting lines.  Since I have scoliosis, I'm not all that keen on close-fitting knits across parts of my back.  

Sewing IS Political

This is the latest Canadian 🍁 made and tariff free project to come off the sewing machine.  The fabric has been in the stash for quite some time.  I discovered it in the discounted section at Fabricland, a Canadian retailer.  The threads used to make this dress were a combination of Coats and Clark and Gütermann threads and were all pulled from the stash.  Once the Coats and Clark threads are de-stashed they will not be replaced.  I'm a loyal Gütermann thread gal now and I'm not going back to Coats and Clark threads.  The Vogue pattern has been in the stash since it first appeared on the scene and did not contribute to the convicted felon's tariff economy.  Vogue 9268 is designed by Kathryn Brenne, a Canadian designer.  The fabric scissors used are Merchant and Mills, a United Kingdom company and were purchased from The Workroom, a Canadian fabric outlet.  The label is another KATM product from an Australian company.  I ordered these directly from KATM.  

Project details

Seams:  Knit (lightening bolt) stitch

Seam finish:  Serged

Fabric:  4 metres

Knit 'N Stable tape:  3.3 metres

Label:  1 KATM "Look After Me" label 

Pattern:  Vogue 9268, circa 2017

Additional Tools & Supplies:  Cutting tables (2), pins, pin cushions, measuring table, measuring gauge, tailor's chalk, assorted heavy objects to use as weights while cutting, fabric scissors, Janome 4120 QDC sewing machine, walking foot, Janome AirThread 2000D serger, threads, thread clippers, iron, ironing board, many breaks, chai latte and some good tunes.  

Stand strong, elbows up and keep sewing.