Sophisticated dress isn’t too revealing
Cover-up features long dolman sleeves with embellished cuffs
Dear Julia: I will be attending a New Year’s Eve party this year, for which I need a cocktail dress. I am a bit conservative in my dress. I don’t like to show my arms, but I also don’t want to look “dowdy.” Can you help me find a pattern that is more traditional but also somewhat youthful? Nothing shorter than just above the knee, please. — Amy D.
Dear Amy: I think I’ve found a pattern that meets all of your requirements. It’s Vogue pattern number 1532 — Misses Slip Dress and Embellished-Cuff Cover-Up.
Don’t let the “slip dress” part scare you. The pattern includes a beautiful long-sleeved cover-up, so your arms won’t be bare. The dress has front and back princess seams, allowing for a great fit. The hem of the dress hits just above the knee. And the cover-up has lovely dolman sleeves with embellished cuffs. You’ll look sophisticatedly stylish in this dress. Good luck with the dress, and enjoy your party!
Dear Julia: I have a couple of suggestions for Mary, who wrote in about how to finish seams without a serger. First, you can sew a straight stitch and then a zig-zag stitch at the raw edge of the fabric in the seam allowance. You can also bind the raw edges of the seam allowance with bias tape. I also like to use Fray Check to prevent any fraying. — Stephanie H.
Dear Stephanie: These are all great ideas. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Send questions to Julia Cameron, c/o King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or SewSimpleColumn@gmail.com.