The cold shoulder definitely is the “on trend” look of the season, maybe year, and the pattern companies have definitely taken notice. All of the Big 4 companies have produced several patterns featuring the trend. I feel like the only one, but I’ve never been a real fan of the look. It’s not that I dislike it, I just never “got” it. Basically, cold shoulder tops/dresses are much like open toe booties, cute but not practical.

I say all that to say, when Vogue’s spring patterns were released earlier this year I was drawn to Vogue 9238 (I liked the stripes and the bands), but I passed because of the cold shoulder. That is until I saw @Ryansmom‘s version on Pattern Review. She made the dress as designed but placed her arms over the flounce and I loved it!

I grabbed V9238 at the next sale it and placed it high on my to-sew list.  I just needed to select a fabric from my stash. This black and ivory large tropical leaf print ITY was a 4 yd precut piece from Fabric Mart. When I purchased it I had no plans for it, but at $4.80 for the 4yd cut I had to buy it. My sewsisters decided it would be great for M7534 and I agreed, but when I was pulling out fabric for my upcoming projects I looked at this fabric and it screamed to be this Vogue dress.

The pattern itself is quite simple and only six pieces. I was able to sew it up in an afternoon. There are no finished measurements on this pattern but I sewed a 14 and measure 38/24/41 for reference. The flounce when worn as designed does seem to pull over my bust but the rest of the dress fits well. If I were to wear it over the shoulder, as designed, I would lengthen the front/back band and flounce.

I’m so thankful for resources like Pattern Review, Facebook groups, Instagram and more, because with out seeing the dress worn this way I would’ve missed out on a great pattern. I really like this dress and would like to make it again soon, maybe in a floral -like the pattern envelope- or a solid.

Pattern:  Vogue 9238

Pattern Description: Close-fitting top and dress have front and back shoulder flounce, and cold shoulder detail. A: Contrast bands. Close-fitting pants have elastic at waist.

Sizing: 6-14, 14-22. I sewed a 14.

Difficulty: 2/easy

Fabric Used: Black and ivory large tropical leaf print ITY a 4 yd precut piece from Fabric Mart.

Does it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Sort of, I sewed view B but used contrast band more like View A. I also didn’t wear it as designed.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very

Likes:  the option to and contrast with the bands, flounce

Dislikes: None as long as I wear my arms over the flounce

Pattern alterations or any design changes made: None

Would I sew it again? Yes, I’m interested to see if I could make a sexy dress eliminating the flounce all together.

Would I recommend it to others? Definitely, especially if you prefer the cold shoulder.

Conclusion: Great dress with when not worn as designed, thanks Ryansmom!