V1342: This Pattern is Bananas

This Donna Karan dress pattern (V1342) is ridonkulous.

Vogue 1342 - Donna Karan Collection

I mean that in a good way. Really! Let me explain.

 "Very close-fitting, lined dress has front, back and shoulder straps cut-in-one, no side seam, bias, gathered upper left front, pleated and gathered back, and stitched hem." - from Vogue website/envelope back

What you see of this dress consists of just 2 pattern pieces. There's one piece for the "gathered upper left front" and then one piece for the whole rest of the dress, which did not fit on a dining room table that comfortably seats eight (see below).

 
The pattern has 6 pleats, 5 gathered areas (some of which you have to break the basting and gather in two sections), 2 or 3 fold lines, several notches, at least 20 dots of all different sizes that need to be matched up and one square (I forget what the square denotes). And there is only one vertical(ish) seam that runs down the back. Oh, right, and the additional 2 lining pieces have 2 bust darts and two fish eye darts.

Wow, that really didn't sound like "but in a good way", did it?  Somehow I'm finding myself really really into this patten. When I figured how this bizarre amoeboid pattern piece would morph into a dress, it was one of those "eureka!" sewing moments. This is actually why I love Donna Karan patterns.

One thing I don't love, is the lack of alteration lines. I had to take a guess at how (and where) to add room thru the hips. I did a slash and spread on the right side of the main pattern piece (above) in order to preserve the pleat markings, and I simply graded out on the left. I altered the lining pieces the same amount and the fit was spot on. So, fingers crossed that my wildcat alterations will work. (Um, if you have a better idea, feel free to volunteer it for posterity. It's too late for me since the fabric is cut.)

Now, why on earth I thought I would be able to finish this dress in a weekend - even a three day one - is beyond me. I guess with just two main pieces it seemed, um, easy. LOL There is a reason this pattern is rated Advanced.

So, my question for you is: Do you like complicated sewing? By "complicated" I don't mean tailoring or labor intensive hand sewing. What I mean is complicated construction - the kind of sewing where you go into the project not really knowing how the pieces are all going to fit together in the end. I kind of love it. Or do you prefer straightforward patterns with simple lines where you create the drama by adding your own touches to it? Like mixing it up with cool fabric or trim?

In one of those bizarre twists of sewing fate, the rated Easy pattern that I was also working on as a break from the brain work of this dress was a total fail. Go figure. But more on that tomorrow...