Style Arc Laura Dress in Dark Chocolate and Velvety Chocolate Lace, Topped with Caramel

I've had my eye on this pattern for quite sometime. I bought a "Laura Set", and had already made the cardigan the other day. 

I just love Style Arc patterns. The designs, the fit, the clean and simple directions. They assume you know how to sew, so there's no micro-managed step-by-step directions. Therefore, might not be recommended as your very first sewing project, but once you know the basics, you'd appreciate their simple directions that do not crowd multiple large sheets of instructions that are folded up million  times.

I made my usual  2" petite adjustment for the waist line.  I could have added 1" or even the entire 2" back at the hem, if I wanted it to be a little longer. This was juuuust long enough for me.

I bought size 8 this time. I bought size 6 for my previous top patterns from Style Arc. It was a snug fit, very fitted and I liked it for the most part. However, I realized I prefer it with just a little bit more ease, especially around the armscye.  So, I went for size 8 this time, and I am satisfied. (I usually wear RTW size 4 or 6 for tops)

The sleeves are see-through with this velvety chocolate lace. It's a poly stretchy lace knit with velvet-like feel. (I'm sure there is a name for it. What is that?!) I needed to cut off about 4.1/2" on the sleeve length.

For the yokes, it's the same fabric as the sleeves but I decided to line with a light weight beige jersey knit I had in my stash so that it is not sooooo see-through. It's interesting to see how different the same fabric looks with a backing. Without the backing, it shows more of the color gradation of brown to black.

The difficult decision was the neck binding. Whether to use the main fabric?

Or the contrast lace fabric that I also used for the sleeves and the yokes?

After consulting with my RTW Fasting sisters, and sleeping on it, I decided to use the main. I think either would have worked out fine. I will, however, make the neckline opening a little wider next time.  I don't have a particularly long neck, and it looks more flattering on me if the neckline opening is a bit wider.

By the way, the main fabric is a dark chocolate brown Anna Sui knit I bought from Billie's Designer Fabrics at the Sewing Expo earlier this year. The poly lace knit is a thrift store find. I still have close to 2 yards or so of it.

After taking all the above shots, I decided that I didn't like the way I finished the hems. Both the sleeves and the dress itself.  For the sleeves, the folded up hem ruined the sheerness of the fabric. So, I decided to just leave the cut raw edge as is.

I was going to leave the raw edge as is for the dress hem.  But it was already curling up. So, I decided to use the overlock stitch on my machine. (By the way, I'm in love with the #2 presser foot on my machine when I saw so close to the edge of the fabric.) 

Then, I turned it over once and gave it a stitch with this color of thread. Caramel color!

 

Comfortable to wear - that's one of my top priorities in the garments I wear. It is comfy and I'm quite happy with my Thanksgiving weekend sewing project.

Now, I'm looking for a dress pants pattern (woven or stretch woven), preferably with pockets. Which Style Arc pants pattern is your favorite? Other than Style Arc, any recommendations?