Thursday, November 10, 2011

Vogue 1190 - Tracey Reese Party Dress

Styled with my glomesh clutch and just-out-of-the-swimming-pool hairdo. I'll actually brush my hair and add make-up for the real event. Promise! I will even iron the dress.

It's party time in our house this weekend. My wonderful husband Paul is turning 40 and preparations are in full swing. I've bought him a beautiful handmade silver ring off etsy. The artisan sought her inspiration from the trunk of an oak tree. I love the details and uniqueness of it's design. I only wish I'd ordered it sooner so it would be here on time...oh well.


I've also spent the morning cooking two decadent cakes to take to the restaurant. The first one is Christine Mansfield's Chocolate Jaffa Mousse Cake and the second Il Diplomatico from the 2011 Gourmet Traveller Annual Cookbook. Both are bar-shaped cakes filled with mousse. I'm yet to fully work out how I'm going to link them so they don't look silly sitting side by side on the plate. I was thinking I could dust them with cocoa and place a  4 on one and a 0 on the other, both made out of white chocolate.  Maybe I could add a few blueberries dipped in white chocolate and the odd chocolate curl too. If you have any other suggestions now's the time to chip in.


Lastly and by far most importantly, I have finished my party dress. I made Vogue 1190 with some silk twill (by Milly) that I bought from The Fabric Store. I have thoroughly enjoyed sewing this dress. I do feel it's a tad low at the cleavage and a tad high in length but maybe I just need to loosen up!  I chose to fully line the dress. I always feel a lined dress provides a little bit more support and smoothes out some of my bodily lumps and bumps. The bodice is lined in the fashion fabric, however the skirt is lined in a nude silk from EmmaOneSock.


In addition to lining the dress, I did make a few changes. Firstly, I had to make quite a few fitting changes to the toile of my bodice. I don't even know where to begin here, all I can say is that if you make this dress, I strongly recommend making a toile of the bodice first.

I also simplified the pleats by overlocking the edges before folding them under. The pattern suggests finishing each with a chiffon hem prior to folding. This seemed like an incredibly fiddly waste of time to me. You could actually get away with bagging them out, however I quite like the fact that they form an open fold.

I also altered the way I attached the contrasting waistband. On the pattern, this is actually an insert that is faced from the inside. Instead, I simply folded the strip and sandwiched it between the bodice and skirt seam. This seemed like an easier option and made more sense as I was lining it. The contrast is a silk satin purchased from Spotlight.

Lastly, I handstitched along the seam where the bodice overlaps on the inside of the garment. This was to stop any gaping at CF neckline.

Nude lining with added lace edging.

Lastly, I did not gather the shoulder straps on my bodice lining.


I'm really looking forward to the weekend. We're kicking off at a lovely outdoor bar overlooking the marina, followed by dinner with friends. Oh, a night out without the kids is soooooo much fun!

11 comments:

  1. Your dress is so pretty and festive, and I dare say the birthday boy will appreciate the slightly more baring design features - it is a party dress after all.
    Your cake looks delicious. Would icing sugar in 40 be fancy enough? I like the option of cutting out a paper stencil rather than expecting chocolate to behave itself in this climate. I hope you have a terrific weekend.

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  2. Ooooh, you make me long for summer. What a pretty dress! A great pattern to use with that particular pattern too.

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  3. That fabric is so pretty! I love the two different greens in it. Such an awesome party dress.

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  4. Wow, what a wonderful weekend you are going to have!! You look ab fab in your lovely party dress, and it is constructed and fitted beautifully. The cakes sound absolutely yum! and I reckon you must be a pretty clever cook to have mastered mousse inside a cake; very impressive! I love your ideas for the decorations on top.

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  5. The fabric is so perfect for a party dress. Love all the little details you added to make this dress special, like the lace on the inside lining. Have a wonderful time. I know what you mean about having a night out without the kids. Enjoy!

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  6. Yes, your dress looks great - pretty and fun and summery - hope you have or had a great birthday celebration - and that's a lovely ring! The cakes sound divine - we are all extremely jealous!!

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  7. Wow - love your dress. You look amazing! The party sounds amazing, hope your hubby has a great night. If only a slice of those cakes would survive in the mail :)

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  8. What a fabulous party dress. Very tropical. Nice touch with the lace trimmed lining. A big, happy 40th to Paul...have a fun weekend.

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  9. Such a pretty dress - love the way you've lined it. I love this pattern but don't think I could get away with the neckline or the bare shoulders anymore.

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  10. I love your dress! Yours and your sister's are my favorites made with great prints. Before that, I had only imagined this pattern in a solid.

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