Polka Dot Peony

I am in love with this dress. Colette Patterns, Peony is a boat neck dress with an A-line skirt. A very simple design, but a very classic look. I was inspired by a polka dot Kate Spade dress in a thick knit fabric (see it here on my pinterest). I found this similar fabric, a grey knit fabric with black flocked polka dots, at Harts Fabric.

The Peony pattern does not suggest a knit fabric, but it worked out really well for me. I just made a tiny adjustment to the sleeves, making them a closer fit to the arm. I also omitted the back zipper, and can just slip the dress over my head. I didn't include the cummerbund belt, which would have made it look even more like my inspiration, I already had a cute bow belt I could use.

Sewing with knits is really simple, I don't know why some people avoid it. I just made sure to use a needle designated for stretch, and then finished the seams with the serger. Stabilizing the shoulder seams, I used stay tape, is also a must, to keep it from stretching.

This is a really classic dress pattern, that can be adapted really easily. I plan on using it again for some silk crepe fruit print I have in my stash. I think I used around 2 yards of fabric, making this a very economical dress.

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