Burda Style For people who sew
Charcoal Melissa Dress
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Description
Sorry about the craptastic bathroom photos! It’s about the best I can manage this week. :O
I love knit dresses. They are so easy to wear in the winter!
When the Melissa dress came out for $3.50 knew I had to make it. So I printed out the pattern and then ran over to my favorite shop on 39th st where my guy gave me 2 yards of this double knit for only $4. With no other trim, this dress cost a total of $7.50!! Its a polyester blend which I normally avoid like the plague but I wanted to TRY the pattern, not cry if I wasted my pretty stash, plus I can send this out with the rest of my laundry and not worry about it. ETA: My fabric was 60" wide and I have enough of the 2 yards left over to make a skirt (minus the waistband)
Verdict: a WINNER. This dress is so flattering to my curves. I’m definitely going to make it again for myself and also for my sister (she gave a gasp of awe when I tried it on).
Construction notes: This was so easy to put together. It look barely 20 minutes to cut out and about an hour to sew together. The double knit is kind of bulky so I only serged the shoulders and waist seams together and then topstitched (double needle) the seam allowances down flat. Everything else I seamed and then overlocked the seam allowances seperately. I tacked the side seams open at the top, bottom and waist seams to help encourage the seams to lay flat. I serged the hem edges and then double needle top stitched at 1/2". The inside is very tidy… I’m proud of my work! :)
Pattern Comments: It runs a smidge bit big. I cut the size 42 (largest size) even though my measurements match a 44, and I added the equivalent of a grade to size 44 at the hip (because that would be the worse place for it to be too small right?). The fit pleases me (no panty lines!), but I do feel like the back bodice is a little big on me. It would be great over a long sleeved shirt. Next time I will probably pin fit the bodice a bit more to make sure the fit is a bit more snug in the back and I might actually adjust the CF to be a little bit higher (ETA: perhaps I could do a wee FBA on the front also). This pattern will be easy to modify for other looks. I’m definitely going to make it as a skirt as well.
Material Notes
less than 2 yards of 60" wide polyester double knit - looks like a charcoal grey melange, black thread
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Melissa Dress
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Mar 25, 2010, 09.54 AMby Ichigogirl
It looks really really great, such a classic dress! You’ve basically sold in the pattern to me ;-).
Feb 8, 2010, 06.36 PMby CarotteSauvage
I like your version a lot, simple, classy and timeless
Feb 7, 2010, 10.49 AMby quiltsewsewsue
Lovely dress – thanks for showing it!
Feb 4, 2010, 10.00 AMby Passiona Cottee
You have made a lovely dress. It looks great all in the one fabric!
1 Reply
Feb 4, 2010, 08.08 PMby wzrdreams
Why thank you! :)
Feb 3, 2010, 12.25 AMby Erin T.
So cute on you! Great fabric choice, even if it is polyester (I share your sentiments on the stuff). That pattern is definitely good for knits and I’m half tempted to whip one up with some from my stash.
BTW, I featured your dress on my blog!
http://trailertreasure.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/burdastyle-top-picks-2/
1 Reply
Feb 5, 2010, 02.12 AMby wzrdreams
Wow! Thanks for the kind words and the extra attention! :)
Jan 31, 2010, 04.05 AMby Almatinka
That dress looks perfect on you (maybe it’s the photos, but to me there’s nothing wrong with the fit). I will definitely try something similar, maybe draft one myself, since I’d have to adjust the size a lot anyway. ;-) I love the fabric too.
Jan 30, 2010, 07.11 PMby cindy_buc
This dress is a perfect part of a work wardrobe. I love it and may start cutting one tonight!
Jan 30, 2010, 06.36 PMby Strickmeise
It looks great! I never thought of making the Melissa dress from knitted fabric, I didn’t even like the pattern, thought it is only for very young, very slim women. But this one changes my mind, I have 44 too and a piece of knitted fabric, so I’ll try to make it!
Jan 30, 2010, 12.26 AMby kosmika
You look gorgeous in ti, you made me want to try this pattern (at first it didn’t convince me at all), i wear the same size as you, so i’ll follow you suggestions , thanks! :)
2 Replies
Jan 30, 2010, 02.47 AMby littlecottondresses
Same thought here!
Jan 30, 2010, 03.51 PMby wzrdreams
Thank you! I always try to put as much information as possible, so I’m glad to hear that it is helpful :) Now I want to see a bunch of Melissa Dresses!
Jan 30, 2010, 12.23 AMby threadsquare
Looks great! I’m so happy to know it works with curves. I’ve got hips, too, and I didn’t think it would look good on me. You’ve sold it!
Jan 29, 2010, 11.58 PMby bekaem
Looks really classy, you can wear this all the time, for any occasion. It looks so good in the heavier knit – I wonder how I could do one like this with sleeves.
Jan 29, 2010, 10.22 PMby zickzack
This looks simple and beautiful – I like it!
Jan 29, 2010, 10.19 PMby victorS
It looks really great on and thanks for all the info, helped me make up my mind as to which one next!
Jan 29, 2010, 10.17 PMby nenasew
Awesome looking dress. I love it when fabric and pattern find a perfect match.
Jan 29, 2010, 10.03 PMby abbyzeeble
This is very nice, and your description is really useful and interesting. So are you going to raid your stash for the next version? I will be making this in the future.
1 Reply
Jan 30, 2010, 03.48 PMby wzrdreams
SOON! I have some bright happy shiny blue cashmere/wool double knit from Mood that cost about an arm and a leg and I think this would be perfect for it!