This week on the blog we are featuring the gorgeous Jackie Dress by Victory Patterns in our Ochre ZQ Premium Merino that Genevieve from our HQ team has made up (and modelled!). This dress had been on her wish list to make up for a while now and we think it turned out to be a great success!
Pattern Review
The Jackie Dress is an elegant, easy to wear, super comfortable knit dress that slips perfectly from day into night. This style is designed to be quick to make without fussy closures. It features a sophisticated high neckline and shapely, figure-flattering seams that lengthen and emphasise your curves. It is fitted at the waist with a full, flowing skirt. A keyhole opening at the back upper bodice closes at the neckline with three small buttons and rouleau loop closures. This project uses both a overlocker/serger and sewing machine. You can also make it with just a sewing machine, we would recommend using a stretch stitch and a walking foot so it doesn't stretch out the knit fabric.
Genevieve chose to make up version 1, full length dress with sleeves, the hemline ending just below mid-calf, approximately 82.5 cm (32.5") down from the natural waist. She made up the size 4 using 3.3m of our Ochre ZQ Premium Merino which makes for a beautifully soft, luxe dress that you can happily wear all day and into the evening while feeling fabulous. There were no alterations made to the pattern and it turned out to be a great fit on Genevieve! The only detail she added was to make a chain stitch (pictured below) to fasten the back facing onto the inside, tacking it to the closest inside seam to stop the facing from turning out. Self covered merino buttons also add a high quality finishing touch!
We would recommend a light weight knit/stretch fusing for this project and to test fuse on some extra of your fabric to check it's suitability before fusing your final pieces. Victory Patterns rate the skill level for this project as Intermediate and we would agree as the sewing on the facing pieces requires some confidence and experience handling knit fabrics.
The Jackie Dress pattern is available as a print-at-home PDF download from the Victory Patterns website.
Pictured below is the process of making our chain stitch/tack if you would like to see a more detailed tutorial, there are a bunch of YouTube videos to reference including this one here.
Fabric Recommendations
Genevieve's dress is made from our Premium 195gsm Merino single jersey, in beautiful Ochre. Our premium merino is ethically produced just for us and luxuriously soft, making it perfect for all seasons and great for layering. It’s ideal for a wide range of fashion garments, sportswear, childrenswear and baby products. Merino wool is a soft hypoallergenic fibre with unique thermal properties that is easy care (machine washable). The 150cm width of this fabric makes it even more versatile too! Victory Patterns recommend light to mid-weight two-way stretch knit fabric with moderate to high drape and at least 20% stretch. Knit fabrics including cotton, modal, silk, ponte & scuba would be suitable.
Check out our suggestions featured below, from top to bottom:
Premium Merino 195gsm - Ash Blue, Viscose Multi Rib - Grassland, Premium Merino 195gsm - Paprika, Stretch Cotton 2x1 Rib - Fern, Premium Merino 195gsm - Rose Pink & Abstract Painterly Knit - Mint / Chartreuse.
The Jackie Dress is the perfect mix of comfortable, elegant and flattering! We love the pattern's sophisticated high neck, setting it apart from other knit dresses. Don’t forget to share your makes with us on Instagram by tagging @wearethefabricstore or using #thefabricstore