Thursday, October 14, 2010

18 Ways to wear a little black dress (Burda 09-2008-132)

Dress it up or dress it down. When you start with an uber-comfortable slim black knit dress, there are oodles of options on ways to wear it... here's just a few ideas to get you started...

1. Unadorned. A blank blackboard to begin the design process (and a wonderful way to wear a black dress)


(This dress was sewn from a (shortened and slimmed) view of Pattern 09-2008-132 from the Burda Magazine ... you'll find a review of this pattern for patternreview.com at the end of this post)


2. An evening out at the theatre


3. A trip to the library


4. A day at the beach


5. A day of sightseeing ... (with a black cami underneath)


6. ...or out shopping ... (with a white cami underneath)


7. Comfy on a chilly day, with a slouchy cardigan


8. To the baseball game in a red hoodie


9. Or cozy and casual in a white hoodie


10. Under a tied denim work shirt


11. or belted


12. The skirt is slim and comfy enough to play the role of slip under a sarong


13. ...or under a high-waist skirt with ruching


14.The top is smooth and seamless under a cross-front top in matching fabric


15. ...or under a asymetrical top


16. ... or under a bolero top


17. wrapped in a gorgeous pink scarf


18. Cinched with a colorful cummerbund


Review for patternreview.com

Pattern Description: Evening dress (shortened and narrowed version)... Here's the Burda magazine photo of the dress.

Pattern Sizing:36 ... 44. I cut out a 40 to match my measurements and had to take it in about two inches at the waist. (It's sized for a woven and I used a knit, so that would account for some of that).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except for my alterations (see below)... (This dress is comfy enough to use as a nightgown. I was tempted to include a view under a bathrobe...)


Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, although I didn't like the way they said to use elastic to gather the shoulder area. By the time you put elastic on both the fashion fabric and lining, that's a lot of lumpage. I eliminated it, wanting a simpler, smoother look anyway.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the dress. Nothing to dislike. I didn't make the pleated waistband, altho it is pretty. I wanted a smooth, simple LBD (smooth enough for being the UNDER-layer to some outfits).

Fabric Used:Cotton Poly Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
1. Shortened it

2. Reduced the width. It is more aline than I expected and I was looking for a slim straight skirt. I made it slimmer.

3. The back is designed to be as gathered as the front (it is the same pattern piece). I eliminated the gathers in back. I like the look better.

4. I eliminated the pleat on the shoulder. I wanted a simpler, smoother look.

5. The neckline was a shade too low for my everyday use, so I crossed the two front pieces slightly. It works well this way, covers a bra totally, doesn't gap or gape, and also looks nice with a white or black cami under it.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes.

Conclusion: I love the pattern and love the dress. It has become my A#1 most versatile garment ever. Highly recommended!

6 comments:

  1. Boy, you're right about it being versatile! I especially like the 'library' look. I'd say my second favorite was the sarong -- ooh, but then there's the cummerbund... I can't decide! :) Congrats on a beautiful Little Black Dress... well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bravo! What a fantastic job you have done styling this wonderful dress. You look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favourite look is with the cummerband but that dress is so versatile, as you show. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The dress is beautiful! The version with the white blouse under it, like it very well!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really got a kick out of your 18 ways...but so practical too. Additionally tho it would have been fun to see the actual shoes you might have switched to but then...if you are like me you probably live in flip flops because you can!I have to put mine away in MN for 6 months out of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oooh you are so clever! I have to agree that I like the library look and I wouldn't have thought that would work with the lower neckline but I like!!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...