African Wax Vogue 9237 — apple franca

Sep 13

Sep 13 African Wax Vogue 9237

This cute a line dress with a ruffles back is my contribution to this months Minerva Vogue sewing challenge. I'm glad these challenges exist, because I never got into the habit of even looking at big 4 patterns, let alone make them. But I'm so pleased with it and plan to make another

Franca wears Vogue 9237, an a line short sleeved dress in a red and yellow african wax fabric

Pattern: Very Easy Vogue 9237

Fabric: Some African wax I bought on our recent trip to Paris. I can't get over how cheap it is there. This was €3.50 a metre and that wasn't even the cheapest. I bought 4 metres because it's so narrow, but in the end I only needed 2.5. It was only when I got back that I noticed that the direction of the design runs from selvedge to selvedge rather than along the length of the fabric. Thankfully, the front pattern piece just about fitted in in that direction. It would have been a lot less fun with the arrows running sideways.

Speaking of pattern placement, I messed up the back pieces, and cut them with the arrows running upwards. Oh well! I won't see the back anyway, so I don't mind.

Franca wears Vogue 9237, an a line short sleeved dress in a red and yellow african wax fabric. This is the back view

Size: L. It's a little too small on the sleeves. See below!

Adjustments: I cut this as is, but if I make it again, I would definitely widen the sleeves. When I first made this they were uncomfortably snug, to the point where I think it would put me off wearing the dress. I unpicked them and narrowed the seam allowance and it is now wearable, although ideally I would still like them to be a little wider.

If I make another version, I will probably make it sleeveless though.

Instructions: I thought they were great, none of that mad stuff (Like inserting a zip into a jersey dress) that sometimes goes on in big 4 patterns