Holiday Party Patterns
If you are like me and like to sew for the occasion and the occasion is a holiday party in lets say two weeks then I thought it would be good to perhaps show you all about some holiday party patterns that can use to create a festive outfit for the holidays and perhaps think of a few different fabrics that we usually don’t normally use like velvet or perhaps even sequins and pair it with a pattern. So here we go, here are a few!
McCall’s M8142 - Knit pull on dress with two bodices and skirt variations plus sleeve. I have seen two people do these on Instagram. One person did it in a shimmery fabric and another person made this pattern in a mid weight red knit. BOTH looked absolutely amazing. Pattern says that you can make this in a velvet knit and novelty knits (aka… sequins). You will need a lining if you are making a dress with a sequins fabric especially if you want to be comfortable as most sequin fabric comes in a mesh.
2. Vogue V1842 - I thought this was a great dress. This is a fitted dress with a sweet heart neckline and a bias cut slip dress. The bust has gathers along with narrow facings and an invisible back zipper. Fabrics suggested are Crepe Back Satin (and I would recommend that for this dress), Jacquard and Rayon Velvet. I think this would look stunning with rayon velvet but I would prefer crepe back satin for it so it has a really pretty flow to it, plus it has that gorgeous bias cut skirt so it will hug your curves.
3. Vogue V1841- LOVE this pattern, I Have it. And you will get a couple of laughs because it has some unfinished pattern business going on in it so if you ever get it, get ready to laugh. Anyhow, it is a full sequins dress. But look at the bishop sleeves with a cuff and buttons. It is stunning and double bonus which I always think thank goodness… it has different cup sizes included!
4. Vogue V1674 - Lined close fitting dress with invisible side zipper and bodice variations. This is the pattern that keeps on giving. You have quite a few views in there. You can make this in stretch velvet, sequins as long as it stretches or a beautiful double knit … if you use a knit I would suggest one with a print in it. If you are worried about looking slim, just line it with compression lining fabric. Mood has it, Joann’s has it. Great pattern and you can even show a little skin BUT still have sleeves which is perfect if it gets cold where you are located.
5. McCalls M8037 - Pull over…Evening or ankle length dress with a plunging neckline for all of you that like a little bit of cleavage, nothing wrong with that, it’s not for me but perhaps you want something a little edgy this time around. This dress is designed for knits, velvet knit, novelty knits and even interlock jersey (which I thought it was interesting).
6. Simplicity S9476 - Sweetheart neckline in two different lengths. I LOVE this pattern because it has princess seams, if you are would rather cover your arms you have a flutter sleeve which is adorable and also have a deep V neck opening. If you rather not show so much cleavage you can always raise your neckline. It’s an easy thing to do and of course you would have to redraft your facing but again…. an easy thing to do. I thought this is a beautiful dress. Saw something similar at Banana Republic over the weekend in a beautiful brocade fabric. If you like a little give in your fabric like my daughter you can also make this one in a double knit, a Ponte (pick something with a print) and you could potentially also do away with the back zipper if you did a knit. View C has an overlay which is what the cover model is wearing. This pattern goes up to size 32W.
7. McCall’s M8021 - This pattern is now out of print but this pattern is for sequins. You can get the PDF thru the Simplicity.com website OR perhaps find it in the drawers I know some times I find patterns that haven’t been discarded and you find them there as a printed pattern. Loose fitting, wrap dress with snap closures and side seam pockets. The pattern says you have three different views with sleeveless, long sleeves or contrasting fabric but, lets face it, you got only two views. An indie pattern to try is the VikiSews Philippa Dress. Sized from 34 to 52.
8. Iman Jumpsuit from VikiSews - This is a semi fitted jumpsuit with a wrap style bodice and elastic at the waist. Suggested fabric is sequin fabric with a knit backing and you will need to line this and they recommend a knit mesh for that too. I’m thinking that a stretch shimmer fabric would also work with this if you are like I don’t want to deal with sequins.
9. Flavia Dress from Tiki Sews. Bias Cut Dress with an accentuated waist and loose fitting bodice with gathers along the waist seam. It does have a back keyhole opening and full grown on sleeves with gathered narrow cuffs, thankfully those do not have elastic because if I did I would change them in a heart beat. The dress also features has a high front slit which I would most likely lower to 2” above my knees. They recommend silk, viscose, satin or challis. If working with silk seems daunting (or you don’t have the budget for it) to you just use a crepe backed satin or even challis.
10. Lourdes from Viki Sews This is a close fitting, lingerie inspired dress with a boned corset bodice and separate bra cups. It is rated difficult and if you are wearing this for a new years eve party my suggestion to you is… start now! How fun is this dress. The dress is made up of two types of fabric. Inner layer is mesh and the overlay is tulle and it is ruched along the edges. It also has faux plackets with grommets for a laced front which remember you can buy grommets tape! This has an invisible zipper on in the center back seam.
