Inspiration dress w/ New Look 6863

Shift dresses are simple, however they offer a polished and put together look. You can wear it with a jacket or without one, pair it with funky jewelry or jazzy belt, kick azz pumps or wedges and off you go. The shift dress is a classic piece that can be worn from season to season, and year after year, basically its a garment that never goes out of style.

Last week while on my lunch break I browsed at The Loft and came across a simple black dress that caught my fancy. A day or two later while on break, a young lady that I chat with every once in a while had on a black shift dress and I called her out on it - I told her that dress looked fabulous on her. She stated she'd purchased it at The Loft and knew I had to have one. I also realized I did not own a black dress, and for that matter have not worn a black dress in years.... sheesh I think a decade is more like it.

Slub Knit Dress with Pockets

I wanted a dress that I could just put on and go without too much fuss, but have that polished look. I searched through my patterns for something similar to the Inspiration dress and came across New Look 6863, noting that I'd purchased the pattern for my daughter. The pattern size is from 6 - 16 and figured I could do the size 14, but then noticed the garment bust measurement for a size 6 is 40-1/2"... I had to grab my specs to make sure I was reading right. Sure 'nuff the number was right. Then I checked PR and it was reviewed once and noted that the dress has a lot of ease.

There was a process of elimination before making the dress. I did View C which included pockets, pocket drawstring, and tie-ends, once the pieces were eliminated I was on my way. There is pleating at the front and back neckline which is a cute detail and thought it close enough to the inspiration dress which has pleating at the yoke seam in the front and back.

I used a black knit and decided not to line it since I would wear a full slip under it. The garment went together effortlessly, more so since I'd eliminated a few pieces. The pattern has front and back facings which I was suppose to interface, but decided it wasn't necessary. I attached the facings as instructed, basted stiched and checked fit and didn't like how high the neckline was, so went ahead and attached the facings to the rightside of the neckline and then folded to the inside, which finished off the neckline and at the same time gave me the right height. To ensure the facings laid flat on the underside I did another row of stitching along the neckline. All the seams were serged and for the sleeve hem and dress hem folded under and final stitched.

Conclusion..... Looooooooooooove the dress. It worked just the way I envisioned - put on, accessorize and go without too much fuss and at the same time have a polished look.