Franki-ly Speaking

An Ann Taylor wine-colored knit dress with a cowl neck for $88

Cowl-ifornia Girls

By Jean Paul Gautier, at Saks Fifth Avenue for ...

$795????

Here's a simple cowl neck dress/top "with slightly extended shoulder line. Hugging the neckline at the back and falling softly into a front cowl. Suitable for all occasions." The patterns come in sizes 6 - 8 - 10 - 12 - 14 - 16 - 18 - 20 - 22 - 24 - 26 - 28 - 30. You specify a size while ordering from the website. I purchased a "12".

Here's the link if you are interested in the Franki pattern at the Stylearc.com website:

http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=387&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39

Second version

First version in a top:

For my first verion, I used remaining knit from fabric.com that I used for creating the "Kate" wrap dress.  Second version: A crinkled poly knit from EOS.


Instructions
The instructions are in a "list" format while including key diagrams for the shoulder seam, center back seam, and finishing the inside of the neckline after folding in a portion of the front of the neckline that forms the "cowl".

Favorite Features
I like the drape and depth of the cowl and the clever construction of the draped neckline. After stitching the shoulder seams, the top ends of the front of the top/dress are joined to form the center back seam, leaving an opening between what I called "the newly-formed-thick-back-neckband" and the upper edge of the back neckline. Then between the "mitered" points of the shoulder seams, I stitched the edges together to close the gap, thus forming the inner back seam. The back "neck stand" is formed by folding the "back neckband" to the inside so that it covers the seam of the inner back neckline.

Not-so-favorite Features
Although I like the silhouette, I am not fond of the extra ease I experienced at and below the waist, causing the dress to appear somewhat "sack like" on me.


Alterations/Modifications:
For my second version, the dress, I made my usual petite adjustment at the waistline. After experiencing a bearably snug top (first version) due to taking in the shoulders and center back seam, I reverted to the original marked seams for my dress. I also added a tie belt in the same fabric to pull in some extra fabric at and below my waist.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes! I already have two in the queue to be made from "stashed" fabric. Be prepared to get hooked to this pattern after you try it for the first time due to how quickly you get a top or dress with a flattering front drape.

Recommendation
This is dress is comparable to the popular Vogue 1250 DKNY dress. If you are looking for a stylish knit dress that is very simple to sew with minimal fuss, then I highly recommend this pattern.

Halloween 2011: Me and Pippi Longstocking