MARCY TILTON CIRQUE DRESS : : VOGUE V9112
Well….here we are hanging out together…me in my Marcy Tilton Vogue V9112 again. I hope you’ve had an awesome couple of weeks since we last chatted. Things have been ticking along pretty good here…I guess the biggest news would be that I have been sewing. It helps that the days are getting longer…no, it’s not spring yet, but a girl can dream. Now..shall we discuss Vogue V9112…
Today’s make, Vogue Pattern V9112 also known as the Cirque Dress by Marcy Tilton, was all kinds of fun. Another no zip, no button, sew me in a day project. I’m pretty certain that there will be future Cirques in my closet….that doesn’t sound weird at all, does it? Now, it may not have as flattering a silhouette as my favourite fit and flare dresses, but it makes up for it by being so fun, quirky, versatile and easy. In fact, the only challenging aspect of this Vogue pattern was the alterations required. At under 5’2″, I have to shorten everything…and…I wanted this make to be a tunic rather than a dress. I shaved off 3″ in total and, although the finished look is a little longer than anticipated, I can wear it with my dark wash skinny jeans as well as with tights.
Okay…I said challenging, but really…it was just a matter of paying attention…ermmmm…which, at times, I find challenging. There are a lot of pattern pieces that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. I knew if I simply whacked 3″ off the hemline, I’d lose the silhouette of the dress. To avoid that, I shortened the pattern in four different places; mid armhole, which made the armhole higher {a good thing}, above the bust, just below the waist, and again near the upper thigh. I also wanted a little less volume in the circumference…hope I used that big ‘ol word right…of the dress, so I did the opposite of slash and spread; I slashed and overlapped 1/2″ right and left front and right and left back for a total of 2″. It’s almost impossible to explain and as challenging to photograph, but please let me know if you need further clarification.
The collar on Vogue V9112 is my favourite design feature. I added a facing using contrasting fabric…hello gingham…and attached it with the gingham on the outside. The folds of the collar are quite random and I like how the print and gingham interplay.
Let’s see…anything else to add? Oh yes….this is a sleeveless dress…that’s a striped t-shirt underneath. I contemplated adding sleeves, and went as far as drafting the pattern piece and basting a sleeve on. After that effort…I totally knew I wanted it sleeveless…but, good news…I have a newly drafted pattern piece up my sleeve for a future make. Am I even a little bit funny? wonders she. The fabric was a thrift store find score….navy, lime green and orange. The pockets are lined with a polka dot printed cotton. The booties are Seychelles…I bought them at an end of year sale…a bit of good luck that was.
Thanks bunches for stopping by you guys! Thanks also for your encouragement on all things arty last post. I haven’t done much painting since, but the whole mess of creativity is still front and centre on my dining room table. I know that technically more daylight hours does not mean more hours, but I’m hoping to fool myself into thinking I have more time to play!
Dress : : Vogue Pattern V9112
Linking up with:
Gray All Day’s Sew It Chic Monthly – February
Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday
52 Comments
Very cute, Sue! What you did to the pattern actually resulted in grading it down all over, didn't it? Fits your teensy self perfectly now. I love my own two Cirques and wear them a lot! I can totally see making more.
What a FUN dress! That fabric was a total score.
I REALLY like the collar. It is those little details where you really shine.
bisous
Suzanne
Absolutely stunning!! And those boots—love them!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh my. All those extra sewing gymnastics are totally worth it. This is such a cute dress/tunic. I love the gingham collar. And the stripey tee is perfect. I'm a shorty, too. Rarely have I sewn something directly from the pattern. Does anyone?? And your haircut is so cute. Yet another show stealer from Sue!!
What a stunner of a dress. I'd love one of those. The stripy top looks brilliant underneath. You look wonderful. I must get sewing! xxx
Oh, this pattern is so fun. Thanks for showing the Vogue one. Now you did all kinds of wonderful with it, with this fun fabric find.
Shirl
What good of you! I am afraid I havent got the patience
So fetching – I love the collar too! And to create it in a day – well, that's just too cool. Thanks for linking, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I think you made the best version ever! and your mix of fabrics is brilliant. Love it!
That is just fabulous! I love, love, love the pattern mixing of the collar and dress, and then adding the striped shirt is inspired. Marcy Tilton's patterns are so interesting. If I sewed, I would buy her stuff all the time. Lookin' good, Sue!
A dress made for fun if ever I saw one! And I am a bit envious, you always find such cool fabric in thrift stores, ours have nothing.
Thanks Louisa! You're right…it was an all-over grading, LOL. I made the size small, grading to a the extra small before doing my alterations. LOVE your Cirque dress from summer, and I do recall you made another great one late last year!
Thanks Suzanne! Yep…the collar is fun. What was less fun was getting a photo of it that didn't show off my wrinkly neck, LOL.
Thanks so much Jodie! I KNOW…I wanna wear my boots all day, every day. They are so comfortable!
You know a fabric is 'right' when it goes with favourites that you already have! And yeah…who has 'the body' that needs zero alterations, LOL?
Thanks Vix! It's a fun make to be sure! I'm always looking forward to seeing your makes, but do allow yourself some time to settle in after Goa.
Thanks Shirl. Yes…I think it's good to show the pattern jacket so readers have a better idea of the make in general.
LOL….there is that to deal with. As long as I'm moving forward, I'm okay with patience for the most part.
Thanks for hosting Patti! It's fun to join Visible Monday and visit with the cool kids!
Eep…I should have clarified that my make did take more than a day. BUT…now that the pattern is successfully altered, my next one should be that QUICK make!
High praise indeed! Thank you so much Coco! It was fun checking out the other great Cirque dresses on the web.
Thank you Val dear! It's just so great when a scrap of fabric in my stash goes perfectly, and the top too! Makes me feel that I'm on the right track. This is my first MT make and it really was fun to sew. I have one of her jackets to the muslin stage, something I RARELY do, but I haven't found the 'right' fabric for it.
Oh my goodness…I feel SOOOO lucky when I find these fabrics in the thrift stores Flo! They're often better than anything I can find in the fabric stores! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Sue, I recognised myself in your comments about being able to sew again now the days are lengthening. I think (at least for me) it has less to do with the practicality of natural light, and more to do with my very real inclination to go into hibernation. In the winter I find myself (and my creative energies) literally paralysed with cold.
Great dress, you brave topstitcher you!
baci Sxx
sarsaparillasal.blogspot.com
Such a fabulous dress/tunic! I love the contrasting pattern on the inside of the collar – good on you!
Sue! This is fantastic! It is so fun and colorful, I love it!
Sally…I couldn't agree more! Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you Sheila! It's in the little details sometimes…
Oh Bianca…thank you so much! Your Cirque dresses were very inspirational to me! Ah…the joy of being part of the sewing blog community.
A beautiful dress, I like it.
This is such a fun dress…the style, the fabric and the way you chose to wear it over tights and a long sleeved top. Love it!!!
You nailed it with that dress, Sue. And it certainly isn't an easy one to alter. I luv the collar play you did. And I was wondering, did she add sleeves or is that a T under it? Very cool. As I said before, mine was one big disaster that was totally nonredeemable. Even the collar was horrid. Your print is fabulous too. Can't wait to see the next version and how you incorporate sleeves. Dare I try again?…
I love the collar and I love the boots. I like the dress for its fun, even though I am much less of a pattern mixer than you are (you dare devil). What is difficult for me (obviously for nobody else, looking at the comments) is the combination of bright colours, big print, wide shape and mix of patters. My poor conservative brain is doing overtime here. I applaud you for adjusting the pattern so well. You are right that you cannot just cut a few inches from the hem and be done with it. But what you did is difficult. And if there were so many pieces I am amazed that you got the print of the dress so well connected to each next piece.
Greetje
That is such a cool pattern and your fabric choice makes it even more fun — as usual! I love it!
Thanks so much Helena! And thank you for hosting the link-up! I haven't been able to comment on the post for some reason…
Thank you so much Josep. You have an discerning eye, and I appreciate the compliment!
Thanks bunches! It literally feels fun when I wear it!
Thanks Pao! I'm wearing a T under it, but I did draft a pretty decent sleeve for the pattern. On my next version, I may sew sleeves on, if only to make it a little different looking. And, yikes, if you end up with a wadder, it's hard to want to give it a go again. You seem to have great success with many of her other patterns, and I for one, tend to stick with what I know works!
Oh, I totally get what you're saying, or rather seeing, Greetje! For many, this would be too much. And for me…honestly…I absolutely have days when I want a more subdued presence and I reach for navy and cream. Although I wear a lot of navy, white, lime green and red, I usually wear tints, a less saturated version of these colours. Having said that, this particular piece of fabric really spoke to me and I had to have it. I was hesitant about the silhouette, but I'm being more open to trying different looks. I am definitely going to sew this pattern again, and it will be interesting to see how the next version looks in comparison…I'll probably be using a solid colour so it will look quite different.
Sue that's a wonderful dress! The pattern is so cheerful and the cut so extraordinary. It is miraculous, it brings a smile to my face.
Sabine xxx
Oh my goodness, that fabric was a score if ever I saw one. I keep looking at that pattern and I get the hebee jeebees when I think about sewing it or how it would look. I sooooo thought those sleeves were part of the make thanks for clarifying that. Awesome make!!!
Thank you Sabine! I think we make each other smile with our blog posts! xo
Thanks Michelle! I can't imagine you getting the hebee jeebees about anything…you are FEARLESS! Every time I visit your blog I'm blown away by your creativity!
Sue, this tunic dress is a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. You wear it to perfection. My day would need to be a billion hours long to achieve your tra-la-la-sew-me-in-a-day expertise. I am dumbfounded how you can resize and not have it come out all wonky or have to resort to a belt in the end. The collar with gingham is perfect.
I love your writing and your photos. Yes, funny!! Show me the next one!! Hahaha!
I am looking forward to seeing the next one. And I will admit, it is a fun fabric.
Oh yes…spring is just around the corner! I can feel it most days already. Another one will be along soon!
What a joyful piece of sewing – I can hear you chuckling all the way over here, and that dress, with its quirky hemline and fabulous print, just makes me smile! LOVE the collar detail too. Xxx
Sue, that collar design is to die for! And the pattern mixing you chose is fabulous. I want to join the circus too! This just made me so happy, its a fabulous dress. Love how you paired it with your tights or leggings, it just grounded it perfectly. So good to so your joyful and lovely self again.
I should always ready myself to smile when I open your posts! Love this Sue and it's perfectly you. You are mixing prints like a pro.
tee hee…thanks Curtise. I think I just might steal this collar detail and use it on different patterns.
Thanks Trina! Let's join the circus together! Think of all the fun we'd have dressing up and walking the tightrope!
Thanks Margo! What a perfect compliment to me! Looking forward to your new blog design!
[…] an example….my Marcy Tilton Cirque Dress {Vogue Pattern 9112} blogged here! Made it. Loved it….or…thought I loved it. But the thing was, it wasn’t getting […]