Carmen Cocktail Dress

Name Carmen Cocktail Dress
Status finished
Happiness
Started Nov 26, 2018
Completed Mar 17, 2019
Progress 100 %
Privacy public
Notes Today I've finished my Carmen Dress. I'm really happy with the outcome, however, there were some obstacles and alterations I'd like to share:

- Although the instructions say the fabric could be non-strechy, I feel the result is better with a strech fabric (I used strech cotton satin). It would be possble to use non stretchy fabic for the button part.

- I made the neckline in front and back deeper by 6 centimetres. Ideally, you would also adapt the facing to it straight away, but I was a little lazy and still used the one I made off the pattern :)

- I found that the facing with fusible interfacing covering both neckline and armholes was too stiff. I couldn't really move with it anymore. Also the armholes were quite small for me, so I cut them a little bit bigger (I'm 1,73 m). To solve the problem with the stiffness, I still attached the facing to the neckline, but cut the facing off halfway down the armhole. To finish off the armhole, I used bias tape which I attached invisibly with the technique shown in the video below, including the facing on the shoulder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9CvvsC39LY&index=7&t=541s&list=LLw04v6wFC8A7lqp4UGU0sww

I've attached a picture of how it looks like on the inside now.

- I also found that after adding the pleats shown in the pattern, the skirt was still much too wide to attach to the top, so I measured the top at the waist and did my own little additional pleats until reaching the right waist width. Then I basted in place before sewing the skirt to the top.

I still can recommend the pattern, because the top fits really well (and that's the most difficult thing for me to find in a pattern).

Users Comments

  • Maria

    Your dress is beautiful.
    Thank you for sharing your helpful tips and comments!