Den-im-Might

Denim is not just for jeans and jackets, but also for dresses! There are denim shirtdresses, denim sheath dresses, denim bandeau dresses, denim corset dresses, denim bustier dresses, ruffled denim dresses, denim tank dresses, denim zipper front dresses, and the list goes on.  My favorite dress back in the 1990's was a zip-front dress in a light weight denim that I purchased in the junior's department.  I wish I could wear one now, like I did back then. 


After my success in sewing a dress with a halter-style criss-cross back with  a 1966 Simplicity pattern, I thought I would sew a dress in a "style that I also have not worn in while", such a dress with a bandeau upper bodice and thin shoulder straps.

One of my favorite singers, adorable Carrie Underwood in a Jay Godfrey "Colorblock" denim dress with exposed zipper for an unbelievable $315 at TheTrendBoutique.com. 

Although I am not a fan of Kim Kardashian, here she is looking chic in a VOOM pinstriped denim dress by Joy Han.  Dress can be found at TheHipChick.com.

I just sewed a "knock-off" or "copy-cat" version of a bandeau denim dress.  The dress that inspired me was DKNYC's denim fitted dress sheath found in Macy's.com.

Betsey Johnson's denim jacquard dress with straps has a similar style.

I used McCall's 5881 view C for my inspiration dress, which consisted of four pattern pieces: the front bodice, the back bodice, the lower front, and lower back.  I cut two of the front bodice on a fold (one for the facing) and two pairs of the back bodice, one pair of which will form the back facing.  I used chalk and red pen to mark the bust darts and the darts on the front and back skirt pieces. 

Although I like the style of this dress, two drawbacks for me are that this dress displays my asymmetrical curves and emphasizes my vertically challenged torso, characteristics which I prefer to camouflage with print and/or unfitted styles! For now, one of this type of dress will do. However, I find that the bust runs a tad large, especially at the front.




But then, vivacious Niecy Nash, is an inspiration for women of all shapes and sizes.  I became an instant fan of hers after her appearance on Dancing With the Stars.

This is the entire upper bodice with the front facing and upper back facings, before turning inside out and understitching the edges. The white chalk marks signify the positions of the shoulder straps. I cut two strips, each being 1 1/2" in width and 16" in length. I folded each strip in half, right sides together and sewed a 1/4" seam. I performed the arduous task of turning the strips inside out, with a safety pin. I was nearly tempted to ditch this method in favor of just stitching lengthwise along the edge of an iron-pressed folded strip.

After some initial fittings, I changed the placement of the front ends and back ends of the straps. I also shortened each strap about an inch.

My experience with denim as often "frayed' my nerves. So I used some strips of fabric remnants to finish the seams. I did the best I can to hand-stitch or slip-stitch the folded edge of the facing to the inside seam. It was a challenge to deal with the puckers as I stitched.

I machine finished the edge,turned up and iron pressed a 1" hem instead of a 2" hem as directed.  I previously shortened the pattern by 3"

Conclusion.

Just a change in fabric and embellishments make this a versatile pattern to create "daytime" dresses and dramatic evening or formal attire.