Vogue 2713 Koos dress

Reviewed by:	Ann Smith	About Ann Smith CA USA Member since: 8/24/02 Reviews written: 155 Sewing skills:Advanced Favored by: 186 people patterns reviewed: 152 Bio: I love to sew for fashion, especially unusual designs. I own way too many patterns and fabric! I hav...full profile
Posted on:	2/9/04 1:42 AM
Pattern Size:	Regular
Project Photo:
Pattern Photo:	Pattern Information provided by Ann Smith
Pattern Rating:	Pattern did not work for Me
This dress has become known as "The Ugliest Dress in the World" amongst the privileged few who have seen it. My friend that I keep in touch with via email, asked me what I had been doing lately. So I wrote back that I had been busy sewing the ugliest dress in the world. She implored me to send her photos, which I did. Immediately the phone rang, and she was there laughing so hysterically she couldn't speak. "What were you thinking?" and then finally....I understand "it was the creative muse gone awry". The dress is described as semi-fitted, slightly flared with neck binding, low armholes, no side seams on lower sections with seam and contrast detail. Koos is known for his exciting piece work, mixing colors and patterns. I thought it was going to be wonderful. I have been interested in mixing fabrics but found it difficult to come up with a related group of knits. Then I spotted a nice bundle of plum/spice knits at EOS and I sent for it. When it arrived I immediately tore into it to cut out this dress. Many problems arose because the pieces I wanted to place in certain places were too small. Some had to be pieced and some just had to go in different spots. Then because of the nature of sweater knits some stretching occurred so it was necessary to stabilize some seams with fusible tape. However I was successful in doing a perfectly matched bias seam with an invisible zipper up the back I think it is very, very difficult to successfully mix patterns and fabrics. Also, although this is a style that I wore 20 years ago, it no longer looks any good on me. The low underarm just looks droopy. Everything looks droopy. I will not put it on again! It would look better about 5 inches shorter but I'm not going to finish it. As to the pattern itself, I don't think it really needs to be sewn from knits. It is loose and has a zipper. Why knits? I think they add to the droopiness. It is moderately easy to sew but it you need to alter as I did for full bust, then that is complicated because of the piecing.