A sewing blog about building a functional, cohesive handmade wardrobe, one garment at a time.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Style Arc Adeline Dress

It's been a minute, and this isn't how I intended to get back to blogging. But I sewed something and I have some time to write about it, so here we are.

In April, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a shock, as most diagnoses probably are. And it's been a tornado of specialist appointments and allergic reactions and ER visits since then. I'm now halfway through chemo, but only a month into a year-long treatment regime that will also include surgery and radiation.

I haven't sewed much at all over the last couple of years due to just not having any time. Yet, somehow I managed to make this Style Arc Adeline Dress in between chemo cycles last month. 

This pattern had a major moment a few years ago, and, as usual, I'm very late to adopt. I thought of it when looking around for a sack dress that would make me feel put together and that I could wear no matter how much weight I had gained or fluid I had retained. It seemed like a great choice for this use, and I wasn't disappointed.

I went by my measurements and cut a size 12 shoulder graded to a size 14 at the bust on down. I read a lot of reviews and found that most people had skipped making full bust adjustments due to the ease in the pattern, so I decided to follow suit. The only other pattern adjustment I made was a 5/8" high round back adjustment. 

I don't love cuffed sleeves, so I just hemmed the sleeves at 1 1/4" and didn't turn them up. The dress is made of a navy linen that I got from Fabric Mart last year. I had just enough to make the dress without the pockets. I think, though, that if I make it again, I would want inseam pockets, not patch pockets like the ones the pattern comes with.

After making and wearing the dress, I found that my high round back adjustment wasn't enough - the dress still slips back off my shoulders a bit. In anticipation of making this dress again, I altered the pattern for a 3/4" low round back adjustment (because 5/8" is the maximum one should adjust a high round back; you are supposed to get the rest of the length you need from the low round adjustment per Palmer and Pletsch). I also lengthened my pattern 1", though now that I see these photos, I think maybe 1/2" would be enough. There's one more flat pattern adjustment I'd like to do before sewing it again: The v-neck gapes slightly, so I want to take a wedge out of it on either side.

These photos aren't my usual, but energy is in short supply these days. I had my sisters take them when I wore the dress out to dinner with them a couple of weeks ago. I felt stylish despite my swollen ankles and be-kerchiefed head.



Hope to return to this space again soon. Thanks for stopping by.

13 comments:

  1. Your dress is beautiful and so are you.I hope that the rest of your treatment goes well.

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  2. Hooray for forgiving clothes that still make us feel good! Sending you best wishes—great to see you here.

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  3. It looks lovely on you. Thinking of you and hoping you feel better, the fatigue is crushing.

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  4. I think your dress worked out really well. I am sad to hear about your cancer - all the best.

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  5. Oh girl, I was wondering how you were doing and missed your gorgeous sewing. Just know that you have your whole sewing community on your side sending you love and strength and cheering you on through the rough days. Glad to see your lovely face again Masha, and oh, nice dress!

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  6. I am so sorry to hear of this diagnosis. Positive, healing thoughts sent to you and hoping you feel better soon. Love the dress, thanks for posting and giving update.

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  7. It is a lovely dress Masha. You are very loved and admired all over the world, as you can see from above. Sending healing thoughts to you and your beautiful family. xx Nicole

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  8. So glad you're up to sewing a bit! Cute dress!!

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  9. I am sending positive wishes to you in your health journey. I have appreciated your posts on the Liesl & co and Oliver + s patterns in the past and look forward to more posts in the future. Your dress is lovely. Isn’t linen the best?

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  10. I love the dress on you. It’s good that you’re managing to maintain your interest in sewing despite your health problems. Hope your treatment goes well. Best wishes

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  11. The dress is lovely. Sending you very best wishes, and hoping your treatment is going well.

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  12. Hi, I do hope you’re getting well. I’ve silently read your blog for years and sometimes I open to check if there are news. Your pages here were precious when I started Sewing. I’m hoping you’re still sewing and enjoying your family. A big hug from Italy.

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  13. You were always an inspiration in my sewing journey!!
    I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis!! I am praying for you! Big hugs and best wishes!

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Hi! I am so happy you came by. Thanks for your comment!