Hello, friends!
Today I have something out of the ordinary for me — an animal print!
Honestly, I am not a fan of animal prints, so I’m very surprised that I’m wearing one now. I bought this fabric a few months ago (along with a bunch of other knits) to make a dress for a friend, but then of course, I’ve now used it for myself…. Bad friend! I’ll replace it, don’t worry. 🙂
[source: BlueGingerDoll]
I was a pattern tester for this dress, so my version of this pattern was still in the testing stage. I made a size 22/24 in a fuschia/black/tan animal print rayon/poly blend jersey from Fabric Mart and a fuschia rayon jersey out of my stash that matched perfectly (also from Fabric Mart). When I was cutting the skirt out, I was thinking that it was going to be too short for my preferences, but as I was pattern testing, I didn’t do any adjustments. However, when I tried this dress on, I felt it was too short for me (I’m 5’8) and went ahead and made a lower band for the skirt out of my contrast fabric. When I make another Violet, I’ll be adding the length when I cut the skirt out.
This dress goes together very easily and has instructions which are easy to understand and follow. I like how you can play around with colors and prints and use up smaller amounts of fabric that may be laying in your stash or scrap pile. Mine is sewn on my sewing machine and finished on my serger, which is what I’ve been doing with all of my knits. I’m not completely comfortable with serging the entirety of a garment yet. The only thing I did that differed from the instructions beside the added hem band, was that I took out the tape that was meant to be on the waistband. I didn’t find it very comfortable, so I just took it out and serged the waistband.
When I was making this dress and putting it on my dressform, I was thinking: “Wow! That is one sexy dress!” The Violet certainly is not the Moneta. Where Moneta is demure and sweet, Violet is her sexy, saucy, more complicated friend. It’s quite a bit different for me wearing a dress like this and it’s not just the animal print!
My BFF said that this dress made me look super slim, so I’m pretty sure there will be more Violets in my future. I actually just bought some wool jersey from Mood that would be perfect for this dress.
I love the 1940’s vibe of this dress design which is retro and yet still modern. It’s an interesting design that’s both comfy and stylish.
I’m still not really a fan of the animal print. It was cool to try out something a bit different, but I’m not sure it’s really me. I guess I could call this a girlie camo print — but that’s not really me either. I do love this dress and the style of this pattern, so I guess that’s all that counts, right? 🙂
Knit dresses for the win!!!
Note: I received this pattern at no cost as a pattern tester, but this is my honest review.
Happy Sewing,
- Dress: BlueGingerDoll Violet in rayon/poly blend jersey and rayon jersey, made by me
- Shoes: American Eagle Outfitters
- Earrings: Bauble Bar
Your dress is beautiful – but, selfishly, I came to thank you SO much for having large, clickable images. I made this dress last night – my first attempt at sewing anything other than straight lines – and being able to click and zoom-in on a few areas (in particular, the gathers on the bodice) was SO helpful. SO helpful!!!
This dress is so incredibly flattering. I wasn’t going to go for it, but it looks so good on you and the other couple versions I’ve seen have been pretty good too. Hm…
Thanks, Kelly! Definitely can’t wait to make another one!
Perfect combination of fabric with pattern design. You look amazing.
This is one of the best things I’ve seen on your blog. I love the colours and the style, it is really slimming. I am about the same size and will be finding this pattern!
Wow wow wow! If I looked like that in your dress I would e tempted to never take it off! Yes, definitely sexy.
I have a sweater knit that is very similar to the animal(?) print. I thought it was an abstract floral until my sister said she liked the sweater but doesn’t like animal prints. My niece piped up and said, “That’s not an animal print, it’s a camo print!” So there you have it; it’s a floral, or animal print, or camo print. Whatever it is I like the swirls and sworls of color. Looks great on you, too!
Thank you, Kay! It looks like the print is in the eye of the beholder! 🙂
I really like your choice of fabrics and how you’ve used them. I’m totally digging the hem band. I reckon it should be a permanent feature. You are rocking those colours! Just looks so great. I’m seriously considering buying this pattern now. 🙂
Thank you, Vanessa! This dress would look super fabulous on you! I do agree about the hem band, although I’d probably make it follow the lines of the skirt next time to keep more of the a-line going.
Another beautiful creation! The fabric choices work really well with the pattern. Looks great on you.
Thanks, Miriam! 🙂 Can’t wait to make another one!
This dress looks fantastic on you. I don’t think it looks like an animal print at all, but more like an abstract. I love the band round the bottom, it add balance to the constrast fabric in the bodice. I think you should wear this loads 🙂
Thanks, Sandra!! I completely agree!! I like how you can change the pattern up with prints and color blocking and make it different every time!
Dress is beautiful and looks so pretty on you.. i love that you used the solid with the animal print.. Perfect.
Thanks, Judy! I was pretty happy when I saw how well the two fabrics went together!
I call it an abstract print … and you are rocking it!
You’re definitely right, Melody! Thanks!
WOW, That is a lovely dress on you. A few of your dresses have me intrigued, but this one really add a pizzazz factor. Nice Job!
Thank you!!! It’s nice to try some different styles and fabrics. 🙂
I think your use of color blocking makes this dress! It looks great. 🙂
Thanks, Marrie! I love the color blocking! Can’t wait to make another using some different fabrics!
I’ve come close to buying this print! I have never mustered the courage to pull the trigger. I love the way you broke it up with the color blocking!
I would have never bought it for myself! This is basically something that just came about as I was looking at what I had instead of buying something new. 🙂 Love the way you can color block this pattern!
I think this dress is really, really great on you! I do love the colorblocking with the animal print, so I hope you get a lot of wear out of it, because it doesn’t read “raowr” or anything. Except for the fit! The fit is super raowr!
Thank you, Laura! I really wasn’t sure how it would fit until I tried it on and I was very pleasantly surprised!
And to be honest, this purple berry color is great on you. You rock the jewel tones.
You look amazing in this dress–the colors, the drape of the fabric(s), the fit!! I hope you’ll bust it out every now and again, because it’s fab!
Thank you!!! Yes, I’m sure it’ll be outta the closet often. I wore it the rest of the day after I took these photos. Still wasn’t sure about wearing such a loud print though!
Your dress is just adorable. It really suits you to a tee!
Thank you!! I do love this design!
Holy cow, lady! This is one good looking dress! I wasn’t going to buy the pattern as I’ve tried some skirts like this before and I didn’t like how they fit on me (i’m obviously much more comfortable with gathers), but this looks SO GOOD on you that I might have to change my mind! Do you find that the skirt is full enough for everyday wear, if you know what I mean?
Thanks, Megan! I know what you mean. I generally prefer gathers and fuller circle skirt rather than a-lines — especially in a knit. I was very happy with how it turned out though and can’t wait to make another! I wore this the rest of the day after these photos and you can definitely wear it for everyday wear. With a longer skirt you don’t have to worry about anything and the flare seems to be just enough so that it doesn’t cling. I’m not wearing a slip or spanx or anything in these photos — so it doesn’t cling wear you don’t want it to which is awesome!
Thanks, Tanya! Good to know. I’m sure I won’t get to it until the new year at this point, but I’m putting it on the list!
The shape and colour blocking really do suit you immensely!
Thanks, Jenny!! I love how you can play around with colors and prints with this pattern!
Whoa hot mama! This look great on you! I’m loving it. If it was mine I’d wear it all the time!!
Thanks, Shanni!! I think you made something in a similar fabric? You’re always making some rockin’ outfits with fabulous prints!
WOW! What a sassy dress! It looks great on you!
Thanks, Kait! I’m looking forward to making another one!
That dress looks amaaaazing on you! I am so glad I snagged it the second it was announced, because I know it’s going to be a wardrobe favourite. I love the colour blocking and the band at the bottom. It’s definitely a sexy dress! 🙂
Thanks, Andie! I can’t wait to see your versions! I say “versions” as I’m sure you’ll want more than one. 🙂
Heheh. Yes, I will probably sew up far too many Violets. 😉
This print is very flattering on you. I think it works because you tone it down with the solid. A total win in my eyes!
Thank you, Carla! You’re right about the solid toning it down. I wanted to play up the design features, so was looking for fabrics in my stash that went together. I’m happy that these ones matched perfectly!
And vice versa. The fuschia might have been a bit much by itself also. It’s like those old peanut butter cup commercials: hey! you got peanut butter in my chocolate! No! you got chocolate in my… well, you get the idea.
BTW, you should also staple those shoes to your feet. They make your legs… va va va voom!
I think that this print is great on you and the colours are just lovely. The blocking is inspired. And I love your idea of using up loads of leftover fabrics for it. The dress looks to be quite a nice design and you really look great in it. It is a fabulous fit. Xx
Thank you!!! I really like the blocking. It’s an interesting detail. And I think I used less than a yard (maybe like 1/2?) of that fuschia solid for this.
It really looks great on you!
Thanks, Ellen! I’m very happy with how it turned out!
Yay, I’m so glad you made one! I just bought the pattern a few hours ago hoping that pretty versions would pop up in blogland. I love your color blocking, you look fierce : )
Thanks, Brittani! I can’t wait to see more Violets! The ones I’ve seen are really gorgeous.
Wow, this dress looks fantastic on you! And not that I’m one of those people who thinks that every garment needs to make a person look slimmer, your BFF was right in that you look tiny in this. I continue to stand by my assertion that Abby’s patterns look like they were made for you.
Thanks, Michelle! I do love Abby’s patterns and am always looking forward to seeing her next one! I honestly don’t care too much about looking slimmer (I mean, really, I wear gathered skirts!), but it is nice when something turns out like that!
wow- this looks awesome! i wasn’t sold on this pattern initially, but your color-blocked version is swaying me, big time!
Thanks, Meg!! I know you would knock this one outta the park!