Style Arc Monty

Monty is another of Style Arc's easy-fitting dresses that I am really enjoying right now - both the sewing and the wearing.

All of them have only needed small length adjustments for fitting. (I am 5'8") Monty here I lengthened 1 inch, just adding on to the lower edge. 

Not having to struggle with fitting problems makes sewing so much more enjoyable! Even loose styles like this one need to sit well on the shoulders and so far the Style Arc patterns do that  for me. Forward or sloping shoulder adjustments have not been required, at least with these dolman type styles.

I did make a couple of minor easy changes. Because I was not sure exactly where the horizontal seam would fall across the chest, I made the faux pocket flaps narrower in case they wanted to project themselves forward. Happy to say that they don't. With this very busy fabric I could have left them off completely because they tend to disappear.

All the corners on the hem were mitered instead of just making the right-angled folds. It doesn't take that much time and really gives a nice result. Being fast is not a big motivator for me. These days I'm more interested in trying to decide what techniques will give the most finished results and are suited to the fabric and style.

The sleeve hems are supposed to be turned and stitched. I finished mine with a 3/4" bias facing instead. The facings were attached before sewing up the side seams, then the sides and the facings were joined all in one long seam. Then the facings were understitched and topstitched.

hem facing inside the sleeve

When cutting out, I moved the center back 1/2" away from the fold, so that the center back pleat is an inch deeper than designed. This was for fit insurance. It wasn't strictly necessary, but I like a little extra ease in the back.

I would have followed Style Arc's directions for the collar but couldn't really understand them, so after puzzling over the diagrams for a while I did it in a way that made sense to me.

This fabric is a Tori Richards dead stock. I've gotten others of that brand from both Fabric Mart and Califabrics, and they all have been very nice. It's too bad that they are all tropical-themed, because there's really a limit to how many aloha-shirt type prints I need. This fabric is really richly-textured and right down my alley - the base is like a seersucker, with a woven in stripe AND a print. All cotton.

This dress is extremely cool to wear, thanks to the airy style with side slits and the light cotton fabric. I think the slits are needed in order to walk, but they make me feel exposed and for that reason this will probably be the only dress I make from this pattern. Would absolutely make the shirt version, though, very likely in one of the Tori Richards lawns that are in the stash. 😉

taking advantage of the mirror in the restroom
while waiting on car repair