I recently tested yet another pattern for Rebecca Page, this time the newest Party Dress pattern, the Portia Party Dress. I made a 3xl, graded to 4xl at the hips (instead of my usual Xxl graded to 4xl at the hips) due to my larger bust and waist from this pregnancy. The pattern can be made in either knit or woven, but I like my woven fabrics, so made mine using a grey poodle print polyester crepe from Gertie's range at spotlight a few years ago.
I made the knee length version, but as I am a bit on the short side, it falls just past my knees. Happily, I did not need to shorten the bodice on this pattern, which is unusual for me. I left the back bodice open, so found I didn't actual need to bother inserting a side zip, which is great, as they usually irritate my skin. I thought the dress had a slight 1940's feel to it, so attempted some victory rolls in my hair, but as I haven't done them in a few years, I was a bit rusty.
Hubby and I went for a bit of a drive around our local area, looking for a new spot to take some photographs. We happened upon a park in one of our town's surrounding suburbs, with a reasonable size pond that had a fairly new looking jetty. Whilst taking these photos, we also got to see an adorable family of black swans, who came over to where we were. I think they were hoping for some food, but unfortunately, we had nothing for them.
This dress is a very quick sew, with minimal pattern pieces, as the sleeves are cut on with the bodice. The trickiest bits are the point in the middle of the underbust seam, and the V neckline, but like every Rebecca Page pattern, this one comes with extensive instructions with full colour photographs to help. Even better, Rebecca Page has decided to release the Knee-Length Knit version for FREE! It is slightly more fitted than the woven version, and all of the tester's dresses I have seen look amazing. I especially love some of the versions I have seen that have been made with stretch velvet, they look so opulent! I think I will be sewing one myself next winter (maybe as a birthday dress?)
Dixie
