After my last day of my old job I went nuts at the fabric store locally and bought fabric for dresses that I can wear to work. I wanted to step it up for my new job. With 5 people reporting to me the ripped jeans and sloppy sweaters with UGGs just doesn't instill confidence in leadership.
But before I made work dresses I needed to bang out a dress for my brother-in-law's wedding. I purchased this pattern at the last pattern sale and then wasn't sure it wouldn't be too over the top for a wedding. Then Erica B's pattern review popped up and it was settled. I can do this- no prob!
This pattern is beautifully drafted and not very challenging to sew. Erica's pattern review is perfectly correct (and thorough)- it's easy but not fast. There are many parts that need to be hand basted or finished and there's a bunch of gathering and it all takes a lot of time. But really for such a stunning dress it went together well. My pattern review is here.
There is one thing about matte jersey and that is that the front and back look the same. So, if you get the pieces turned around you might get in trouble. I did this one time while sewing the little side gathered panels. I attached the gathered part to the wrong side of one of the panels and so I ended up with two left sides. So I had to take out the basting but it wasn't a tragic error or difficult to redo. There are a lot of pieces and the whole thing is self lined and the cool thing about the matte jersey double layer stretchiness is that it acts like a total body girdle. yay- who doesn't love that?
I love the lines of the dress and the longer length. There is something kind of demure but sexy about a slim skirt that goes over the knees. Kinda keeping the imagination alive I guess.
Here's me in the dress at the reception with my two handsome escorts: Henry 4, Gray 6. |
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job on this dress. I work for Vogue Patterns and would like to talk to you. Can you email me?
Thanks,
Kathy Marrone
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI posted a couple of days ago asking for you to email me, but now realize I didn't give you my email address.
kathy@voguepatterns.com
Thanks.
Holy Cow! I am so sorry I didn't see this. Between my new job and birthday I haven't been behind the scenes lately. I'll e-mail you right away
ReplyDeleteI am sooo impressed! I came upon your blog and only hope I can someday make garments as you have. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank You! You can, I promise. I'd say that going slowly, taking your time and practice, practice, practice are my best advice. You'll get there.
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteYou did a terrific job with this pattern!
I am getting married in September of 2012 and my mother is making my wedding dress! Yes, she really IS that good!!!
I am also looking into "honeymoon" clothing and this pattern caught my eye. I have a degree in fashion design myself and after reading your thoughts and description of the pattern and fabirc, I have decided to add this piece to my "honeymoon collection:)" lol