Here’s my cocktail dress based on the Malissa pattern for the contest at BurdaStyle.
My inspiration came from the raglan cut and the fabrics I had in my stash.
I eliminated the sleeves and collar and really kept it simple. I cut out the front and back panels, raised both and sewed them together at the shoulders. I used the all in one facing how to (very helpful!). I chose a fabric that drapes well and added a weaved ribbon at the neckline and under the bust. It can be worn with the weaved ribbon like a belt at the waist line or without it.
Materials: sheer black veil with velvet flowers surrounded by silver glitter lined with smooth white lycra (hemmed with lace) and a weave for the belt.
I still have to take a marco photo of the finish at the neckline. I have hand sewn the weaved ribbon at the neckline to hide the white lining from showing. The armholes are finished with a topstitch that keeps the lining in place.
I really like the lace hem on the lining, it shows through the sheer overlay fabric while sitting down.
I have used the lace or blindstitch attachment foot with a flatlock stitch on the server to overcast the lycra lining and attach the lace in one step.
The lace is placed rights sides facing over the lycra. The blade cuts the edge off lycra, the raw edge is overcast and the needle stitches just barely through the edge of the lace.
Then turn the lace and pull slightly, the vertical bars from the flatlock will show on the eright side, a nice flat stitch is on the backside.
Thank you for the Malissa pattern. I will sew it again and now my head is filled with many alteration ideas for it: as a top, as a beach dress, with a crochet neckline like Alison’s dresses, with a gather instead of pleats, with really short sleeves, oh the possibilities!
Can’t wait to see what everyone else creates!
Good luck!
Did I mention these awesome videos on sewing machine feet?
On the left side in the Main Menu there is alike Free sewing videos, it takes you to a list of videos on so many sewing machine feet, I didn’t even know they exist.
How many feet do you have? 
September 24, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Bravo! This is a beautiful interpretation of this pattern. I must say, I was really stumped by this contest, I thought the original pattern was a bit of a stinker (shhh! and SO close to my name, too! The horror!), but you’ve done a gorgeous job here!
As for feet, I’ve got tons for my sewing machine but none for my overlocker. I could really see myself using the one you’ve got here, though…
September 24, 2008 at 7:48 pm
wow it really came out great!!! I love the lace on the lining. Great thinking! Good luck on the contest!
September 24, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Very nice! I was another one who opted out of this contest, partially for lack of time and partially for lack of inspiration (dresses with no waist definition are just horribly unflattering on me). I really like yours, though! Good luck on the competition– I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone did!
As for feet, I have a bunch for my machine–frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever used any of them other than the zipper, invisible zipper, buttonhole and regular feet! I really need to figure out what some of these things are for! I only have the one foot that came with my serger, though, along with the regular and rolled hem plates.
September 24, 2008 at 11:59 pm
LOVE IT! I haven’t been a huge fan of this pattern, well at least not from the Burdastyle photos but yours looks really stylish. What gorgeous fabric.
September 26, 2008 at 1:58 am
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!
September 26, 2008 at 8:24 am
I really love your version and just like Angela, I haven’t been a fan of the original pattern. Bravo!
September 26, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Love this!!
September 26, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Great variation of the Malissa dress. I voted for you on BurdaStyle.
September 26, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Thank you everyone! I’m happy that you like the dress now, I’m just waiting for an occasion where to wear this…
The voting is on: http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/show/662 there’s a link to the survey. There are quite a bunch of lovely dresses, you won’t even recognize the original pattern!
September 27, 2008 at 1:30 am
i just voted for yours! love it, and hope to make one of my very own for the holidays
as for feet, i have approximately 86. and use 2.
September 27, 2008 at 6:44 am
The dress is amazing, I saw the pattern on the burda website, and your version of it just gave it new life for me. Thanks for sharing.
It looks wonderful on you
September 28, 2008 at 12:59 pm
You do such nice work. I love the color you’ve chosen here. Lovely!
September 30, 2008 at 5:51 am
I sent you a prize, look at my blog.