My awesome grey-and-black Melissa Dress

Added Feb 20, 2010

by keren

Tel Aviv, Israel

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3047

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Description

I downloaded the Melissa dress pattern yesterday, bought this awesome fabric yesterday morning, and today it is already finished! I LOVE the fact that the patten comes with the seam allowances included. I just cut the pattern after pasting the printed pages together (and adjusting the sizes a bit because I am a mix of 42, 38, 36…). That saved a ton of time and was a real treat! I made quite a few mistakes along the way and struggled a bit with my overlock machine, had to do some adjustments for better fitting (girls with a modest bust need to tuck in more of the front piece so the fabric won’t hang out) – but I love the end result!!! Now I’m going to make myself a skirt off this pattern. THANK YOU BURDASTYLE TEAM! Great Job! It was so fun and easy to make. I want to try out more jersey patterns! It’s quite different from working with non-jersey fabrics. Tell me what you think!

Material Notes

Medium weight jersey

Difficulty

Novice

Categories

For
Women
Garment Type
Dress

27 Comments Sign in to add a post

  • Missing

    Apr 25, 2012, 02.49 PMby chula123

    I too, like many others, wasn’t all that convinced by this pattern but have changed my mind after seeing your version ! It looks fab on you and yes, that fabric is really cool ! Well done :-))

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    Apr 13, 2012, 07.52 PMby Fiedlerin

    I love it… your version made me buy the pattern… cute kitty cat, too :)

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    Nov 15, 2011, 11.03 PMby suribabe

    Only just seen your dress. Its so beautiful. I saw the dogtooth fabric and nearly bought it.. I guess I will have to go back for it now :)

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    Aug 21, 2011, 03.06 PMby francini

    Yes! Its definitely awesome :) thanks for sharing!!

    1 Reply
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Aug 21, 2011, 03.09 PMby keren

      thanks for commenting! I peeked at your projects and it looks like you are very talented! Going to take a closer look…

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    Jan 26, 2011, 08.55 PMby biarusso

    funny… I bought this pattern quite a long time ago, printed it, but never prepare the pattern to make anything… but after seeing your dress… I’m full of ideas!!!! hahahah it looks fantastic, congrats!

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    Jun 16, 2010, 11.32 PMby mwelland

    I wasn’t sure whether or not to make this dress, but having seen yours I’m definitely going to give it a try! I love the way it’s funky, but classy at the same time. Thanks also for all your tips! (I’m a mix of sizes too)

  • Borsa_gatto_large

    Apr 21, 2010, 03.03 PMby robygiup

    Beautiful fabric pattern and beautiful model! Great job! I love it!!!

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    Apr 4, 2010, 06.31 PMby mlssfshn

    love the hounds tooth beautiful made

  • Ekka_large

    Apr 4, 2010, 09.07 AMby beastofcotton

    Wow! I like yours better than the original. I really want to make it now.

    1 Reply
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      Apr 4, 2010, 12.11 PMby keren

      thanks! Do go ahead and make one – I would love to see it! :-)

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    Feb 26, 2010, 05.49 AMby Passiona Cottee

    Yes, this really is awesome! I also found that with the Melissa pattern that there is “excess fabric between the waist and the hip that hung out in a non attractive way”. I am glad you mentioned it.

  • Eb882cf3947765ff90adf9d40522a23e56385a98_large

    Feb 21, 2010, 06.28 PMby gray

    Being a mix of sizes is a pain in the butt!! I sympathise!! I am trying to figure out how to mix and match- any tips? Your dress looks fab!

    1 Reply
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 21, 2010, 08.11 PMby keren

      Thanks!

      As for mixing sizes, I have several strategies. One is to copy the pattern in different sizes in different areas: so if I’m a size 42 hip, I copy the 42 at the hip and then I taper in to a size 38 at the waist and then 36 at the bust. It requires some consistency, especially when there are many pattern pieces (not in the case of this dress). Also sometimes the line doesn’t come out right so I have to adjust the seam’s curve several times. For example, in this dress, I had to adjust the seam because there was excess fabric between the waist and the hip that hung out in a non attractive way. The finishing tweaks and touches are the most important I think.

      Another method is the “jackpot method” – at first I made pants at size 42 (out of the burda magazine) and then got really annoyed because they were way too big. Sometimes you can’t adjust it later on because you have side pockets and then there will be no pockets left or you will be literally re-doing the whole thing which is not fun. So one time I made pants at a size 38, and it worked. I had to steal some fabric from the seam allowance here and there though and re-do some seams. Now I’m making a size 40 pants. I guess I will need to fix the waist later on, as I go along. I hope it goes well. One time I made a size 38 skirt and it came out too tight which was very annoying. You can’t win them all… To be safe you can measure the actual circumference of the hip etc after you’ve traced the pattern, but I don’t know how to do that with pants. Trial and error I guess.

      Sorry this was so long and I hope it’s been helpful! Maybe other girls have better tips. I’ll tell you how it went with the pants when I’m done!

  • Boum_large

    Feb 21, 2010, 09.39 AMby masty

    I didn’t like the Melissa dress before seeing yours. Waw! It’s beautiful! Maybe I should think about making one too…

  • Avatar-cupcake_large

    Feb 21, 2010, 07.54 AMby frkbustad

    It’s such a great variation! It looks really good with the same fabric on top and bottom piece, and the fabric is (as others have mentioned) fantastic! I’ve been longing for houndstooth fabric for a while now, and this is just perfect. The fit also looks great, and I love the sleeves. Well done!

  • Sunsetedited_large

    Feb 21, 2010, 01.50 AMby bbug59

    Nice job – love the fabric.

  • Missing

    Feb 21, 2010, 12.36 AMby scheryka

    Very pretty and very sexy. I think I may try a pattern of this sort. I actually bought one a little similar and put it in the may never sew stack. I think I may grab it now. Great job.

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    Feb 20, 2010, 10.37 PMby piukku

    I like it! :)

  • Missing

    Feb 20, 2010, 10.04 PMby kelseykay

    this fits you great

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    Feb 20, 2010, 09.43 PMby distie

    LOVE that houndstooth fabric! Where did you find it?

    1 Reply
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 21, 2010, 12.09 AMby keren

      I’m from Israel so the fabric is from a store nearby my house. Funny you should ask since I’ve been jealous of the variety you have in the USA!

  • Me_large

    Feb 20, 2010, 08.04 PMby Lucia Rotundu

    Beautiful, elegant dress… it’s perfect for the office!!

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    Feb 20, 2010, 07.11 PMby bluedragonfly

    LUV IT! LUV IT! LUV IT! You did such a great job! I have a simular print fabric but it’s not jersey and it’s a little heavier, but i think I’ll try it. Any suggestions on women like me who are…volumptuious busted?

    P.S. What did you use in the middleto brake up the pattern?

    2 Replies
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 20, 2010, 08.09 PMby keren

      thanks!! I wouldn’t make this pattern in a non-jersey/knit fabric otherwise how will you get it on? Unless you make a variation with a zipper in the back etc but that’s something else. About voluptuous busts – how would I know! I’ve never had to deal with it :) I think you can just follow the pattern as is and I guess it should work.

      The middle (if I understand your question) is just black jersey, medium weight similar to the weight of the grey-and-black fabric.

      Thanks again for your feedback! I hope to see your dress as well!

    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 20, 2010, 09.13 PMby keren

      BTW take a look at the “Jenny Dress” – it looks the same as the Melissa but its for non-jersey fabric, with buttons and a zipper in the back.

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    Feb 20, 2010, 06.52 PMby lie

    this looks really great!!! I love the fabric

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    Feb 20, 2010, 06.24 PMby angelical

    WOW! Your dress is very inspiring! I think i’ll go and give the pattern a try!

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    Feb 20, 2010, 05.55 PMby cquinn13

    i’ve got to agree, i wasn’t even remotely inclined to try this pattern, but your dress is gorgeous! i love the fabric, and the style looks great on you!

    1 Reply
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 20, 2010, 06.06 PMby keren

      thanks!! :)

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    Feb 20, 2010, 05.42 PMby xraffaelax

    it’s great

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    Feb 20, 2010, 03.04 PMby stefilu

    I agree with elisana: the pattern didn’t tell me much but your dress made me give it another chance :)

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    Feb 20, 2010, 02.53 PMby elisana

    Awesome it is! I didn’t quite like the pattern, but seeing yours made me change my mind. great job

    1 Reply
    • 532698_10150742947249316_1888144941_n_large

      Feb 20, 2010, 06.07 PMby keren

      Thanks so much! I am pleased to hear it. Glad I did a good job with the pattern :-)

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    Feb 20, 2010, 02.40 PMby kimalulu

    Great job! Love your choice of fabric!

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