I’ve had a seriously soft spot for this dress pattern ever since I laid eyes on it… from the Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 collection. It’s got the three magic ingredients I really like in a dress – a bit of draping/fabric interest, a defined waist, and wearing comfort (due to being made up in a knit). Marfy’s translated description:
“This sheath dress has important draping in the bodice and the waistline is marked with two tone jersey bands matching the imprimé jersey dress”
I’m been waiting really impatiently for it to arrive in the mail and I’ve actually got three stash fabrics that would be perfect for it… but I’m going with the one that’s been sitting there for the longest – a deep red ponti knit from EmmaOneSock. For the mid-section, I’ve sourced a wool woven with red, pink, grey and cream to match (from Stitches to Style). Being a winter dress, I’m also planning to line the skirt so I can comfortably wear tights/stockings. I love bright colours in winter!!
As a knit, I figure there’s very little point in doing a practice run, so I’ve been utilising the couture method of thread-tracing the seam lines and cutting extra wide seam allowances to give me any extra room I may need for fitting, coupled with the knowledge that Marfy patterns are fabulously drafted and so unlikely to require drastic changes beyond refining the fit for my own unique shape (or the amount of stretch in my fabric). Even better, I don’t need to trace the pattern out this way. Only problem is, I forgot that this uses up a little extra fabric than the usual way. I only have 1.8m of this red ponti (which would have been enough had I not gone for fat seam allowances) so I’m going to have to get creative with the sleeve cuffs as one sleeve is about 4cm shorter than the other…
What absolutely fascinates me about patterns with draping is what the 2D pattern piece looks like. You never really know quite what you’re going to get when you unwrap the onion paper to see your pattern pieces with Marfy…
The edge of the paper pattern piece is where the seam lines will be once the fabric is arranged to line those edges up. A big thanks once more to Suzy of SuzyBeeSews who sent me what feels like a lifetime supply of silk thread in every colour under the rainbow – I’ve definitely been making use of it!
Figuring out how it all fits together is like a cross between a puzzle and making origami. I worked across it in alphabetical order according to the markings on the pattern piece, and basted them together for the first fitting…
Those two front darts could be a little lower, but I’m not unpicking them now. Interestingly, the two panels at the waistline overlay the dress fabric – so you could leave them off if you wanted to and still have a complete dress pattern. It’s almost like a facing put on the outside which hides the darts in the bodice and skirt pieces. As my contrast fabric is loosely woven I ended up underlining it with silk organza (it’s see through so you’d see the seam allowances folded over). The only thing of concern is the bulk of the ponti in the seam allowances now.
Otherwise, there’ll be a few minor tweaks here and there… but it’s looking good so far.
PS – my fitted shirt is also nearing completion! Whoo to two projects on the go at the same time!
poppykettle 
Wow, what an interesting pattern! I also love looking at pattern pieces that don’t resemble a bodice and seeing them come to life. Looking forward to seeing the finished garment!
P.s. – I see you’ve moved to wordpress. Was it hard?
Thanks Julia :) Yeah it was easy! I just backed up my blogger, then used the import function in wordpress to upload that backup file and BAM – all done. Just like that!
Wow that’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to see more!!!
Thanks Neeno :)
LOVE this. what a beautiful draping detail! can’t wait to see the finished dress!
I was aiming to finish over the weekend… but it always takes me twice as long to sew as I like to think it actually does. And no amount of timing my sewing seems to alter that perception. But I’ve got a burst of shirt-sewing enthusiasm right now so it’ll be a toss up between the two!
What a gorgeous dress – I love the draping, and your colours – I also can’t wait to see it finished – and I love the shapes that draped patterns look when flat! Lovely ;)
Why Thankyou! I’m pretty darn excited to wear it out in public, too!
It’s looking absolutely gorgeous! the red is perfect on you…….I have never seen this pattern (weird as I have the Marfy catalogs for bedtime reading, seriously!! ) but am completely sold on it after seeing it on you, the neckline is beautifully drafted and so unique. I also am also intrigued as to which pattern you will pick for October after reading your last post….I think three of us are making them so far, so you will be in the most excellent company!
Thanks Leisa! Really? I first saw it in last seasons release, then saw it again as an ‘under pattern’ for one of the coats in this years catalogue. Seriously, this dress has everything I like in a dress, and being knit – it’s easy to sew together! This red version is my practice run – I’ve got a really gorgeous missoni knit I want to sew it up in should this go to plan!
Argh… I’m experiencing serious indecision as to what to bring along in October. Maybe once I make up the muslins I’ll be a bit more decisive? We’ll see ;)
It looks lovely so far! I love the fabrics you’re using.
Thanks Kelly :) There’s nothing more enjoyable than working with fabric you can get excited about!
Gotta love the Marfy pattern puzzle! Enjoy working your way through this one.
Thank you Katherine! I certainly will!
Only in your talented hands can a pattern transform into WOW! I absolutely like the look the neckline! Can’t wait to see the dress!
P.S. You and Leisa are leading me astray with Marfy :)
teehee – you know you want to try one!!! Go on! :P
Loving that fabric interest! Can wait to see the finished dress. Unlike you, I avoid defined waists like the plague and I’m a lover of sacks… Isn’t that one of the great thing about sewing, we all get to play to our own rhythm :)
Absolutely. And may I say, you look damn fine in a sack dress!
Wow, you’re not wrong about that pattern piece… that just spells ‘headache’ to me :p It’s looking amazing though and I’m definitely with you when it comes to colour and winter! Time to show black the door!
I never let black into my home in the first place. Oh, it’s there, skulking under the windows and invading my vision every time I hit the shops from March to September. Banish the Black! should be be my catch cry. But its softer cousin – grey? I’ll take all shades of THAT colour ;)
Love it! Especially the ‘important draping’ ;)
Gaaaahhhhhhh… this is just gorgeous! I think these Marfy patterns just come to life when you see them made! I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the ‘important draping’ in the illustration, but seeing it on you (in that red!!) makes me realize just how important it is!! Haha! This is going to be gorgeous – I can’t wait to see it!
Wow, I’m excited to see the finished garment! Way to go!
Pretty pretty! Looks like you’ve got a really good method there for ensuring the fit is ace! :D
Like every other comment, I can’t wait to see the finished dress. It is going to be stunning. Now, no more blogging. Just sew, sew, sew!!!
What an interesting pattern piece! And looks really great made up.I’ll look forward to seeing the finished version… :)
Wonderful dress… I love Marfy designs. It will be wonderful dress!