PINK LINEN VOGUE 9236 PATTERN REVIEW
My two favorite kinds of dresses are: pink, and black. Here’s another one for my collection! It was about 15ºF when I sewed this, but I can’t wait to wear it all summer.
I bought Vogue 9236 right when it was released, but it needs a lot of fabric, so I never got to it. When selecting patterns, I usually look at the line drawings - they are more accurate - but this time I liked the breezy illustration. I love Very Easy Vogue patterns - they are simple to construct, but always have thoughtful details. I think they are “very easy” for advanced begginer/intermediate sewists on up. The simple lines and minimal seams makes this dress perfect for linen.
This gorgeous bubblegum pink linen from Mood has been lingering in my stash since last summer. I had another dress planned for it, but after laundering the fabric a couple of times, I realized it is thicker than I thought, so it didn’t seem quite right for that project. It is perfect for this dress! Linen gets softer over time, and I love the softly rumpled look of it. I think this dress will be great for travel. If you need an easy breezy frock, I recommend it! I made minimal changes to the pattern, full review below. XO
Pattern Envelope Description:
"Fitted dress with back zipper has front and back released pleats."
Pattern Sizing: I chose my usual Big Four patterns 12.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. It is a simple pattern, but the way the pleats are formed is interesting. I found this well drafted and I enjoyed sewing it.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the illustration, and only 4 pattern pieces. Perfect for hot days & chunky necklaces.
Only dislike is lack of pockets, but that’s an easy addition.
Fabric Used:
Mid-weight linen from stash, prewashed several times. Between stay stitching, long seams, wide hem, etc. I went through an entire 110 yard spool of Gutterman thread.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
• I squeezed the longer version out of 3 yards of 56” wide fabric (envelope calls for 4). This was possible because this fabric has no nap, and most importantly, is the same face/back.
• To transfer the dart markings to my fabric, I cut out and removed the inside of the dart from the pattern paper (save it for later), and then you can easily trace that shape. The outlines will be your staystitch and/or seam lines.
• Lengthened bodice 1" (my usual alteration). That is the only alteration I made for fit!!
• Added in seam pockets (in pink gingham).
• Made self fabric bias binding.
• Hand pick stitched zipper.
• Serged exposed interior seams with 3 thread narrow overlock.
• The length of this dress surprised me - longer than expected and true tea length on me. I am 5'8". If you are shorter than I am, the longer length might be Maxi. I shortened the dress 3”.
If I make this again, I’ll make a slight hollow chest adjustment, which I often do on high neck princess seam bodices.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Sure, I’d happily sew this again at some point. Yes, I recommend this pattern. It is simple and lovely.