Sunday, January 18, 2015

The 2014 Party Dress that almost didn't happen



As I mentioned in my previous post, I chose to make a beach kaftan rather than a 2014 party dress. Well that was all very well and good, until it wasn't. I kinda had 'end-of-the-year-party-dress' withdrawals. So I made one anyway...better late than never.

I actually traced off a favourite G*rman dress. I then merged this, with my dress block, to get the right fit. I actually made this dress a bit roomier than my original RTW dress as I wanted it to be more work friendly. It's crazy how many times you find yourself sitting on the ground during the day, when you're a Year 1 teacher.

 


I love how this dress has pleats that come up to the pockets. I also love that the belt sits higher rather than lower. I'm one of those people who can't buy dresses with elasticised waists as the elastic never sits in a flattering spot on my pear-shaped body.



The dress is made using a silk crepe de chine purchased from The Fabric Store in November. I originally bought this fabric with the intention of making a top, so had to cut carefully to get all the pattern pieces to fit. I didn't have enough fabric left for the belt. Fortunately, this dilemma coincided with a trip to visit my sister, Katherine and her drawer full of silk scraps. I was quite concerned that she would not have a fabric that would match. Strangely (or not), she had a perfect colour match for nearly every colour that features on this dress. The benefits of having a sister that sews far more than I do.

I fully lined the dress in silk lining purchased from Emma One Sock. There is an invisible zip at the CB.

Despite not actually having this dress for any end-of-year parties, it did have a fabulous first outing - a drive to Brisbane, followed by watching The Lion King musical, followed by the best dumplings in the Fortitude Valley, followed by a T20 (20/20 cricket) at The Gabba....it doesn't get much better than that!
Brisbane
 


It's second outing was almost as good - a degustation lunch at Tamarind Restaurant at Maleny....bliss!



9 comments:

  1. Oh I love that dress. It looks perfect for our hot days lately. I love the colour. Sounds like it came in very handy for many outings.

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  2. I want to hire you to pick fabrics for me! Great dress.

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  3. Such a great dress - you've got a great knack for pairing fabric and patterns.

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  4. I LOVE this dress. You look gorgeous in orange and I love the little design details and the overall shape of it too. Silk cdc is just such a dream to wear and wash, too. Definitely a sewing win!

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  5. That fabric!! divine! and a perfect summer dress to go with it!

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  6. Gorgeous dress that really sells the fabric. Did you make your husband's shirt too?

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    1. Thanks, No, I can't claim the shirt. It's a beauty though!

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  7. It's a fabulous dress and you look gorgeous in it! Oh and I hear you about elastic waists on a pear-shaped body. My narrowest point is WAY too high! Hmm, this is good food for thought.

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