My twist on a navy and white dress and a collar band tutorial

My twist on a navy and white dress and a collar band tutorial

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• 7.01.2010

I like this dress from Anthropologie.
I like navy and white but sometimes they're too nautical or masculine... not this dress.

I was inspired by it, but wanted to add a little interest--I started with this pattern, which I know, I have used a million times:

And I decided to add the band, but I gave it scallops, a faux middle panel, and some vintage white shank coat buttons:

I used a semi-sheer navy cotton that I think was from Goodwill, but yards of it years ago, so I don't remember, and just some basic white cotton.  Zipper up the back (cheating I know, but it was so much easier to use a fake front panel).
What do you think?  If you're interested, here's a little mini tutorial on how to add the band on top of the bodice, creating the look of the Anthro dress (and this vintage pattern that I chose not to use this time)

...using any pattern, really:

• Tape the pieces together allowing for the seam allowances.  Lay the top of the pattern against a long piece of paper.

• I'm choosing to make the top of the dress straight across instead of dipping in the center to make the sweetheart neckline:

• Sketch on the top of the bodice and mark the center front:

•  Remove the pattern and sketch the collar, probably about 2" plus 1/2" seam allowance on each side.  I gave mine a curve at the center front, although you could do a straighter shape.

•  Cut the piece out (with paper scissors!) and use it as a pattern piece!  Cut 1 of the fashion fabric, 1 of the lining.  With these, you'll sew right sides together, press and turn, and insert as you would straps in between the fashion fabric and lining before you sew them together.

• You now have a pattern piece!

Of course, I chose to add big scallops on the yokes--I did this by cutting out the full band piece, then folding the pieces into equal parts and cutting the corners.  It comes out with sharp geometric edges, but then you round them and give it a nice seam allowance, then clip clip clip clip in the corners and press and turn as usual!