February is a tough month for sewing. I'm sick to death of winter clothes, but spring seems as if it may never arrive, so no sense getting a head start on warm weather wear. I might as well make something completely out there, like this lovely metallic satin cocktail dress that will be perfect for my next stint as maid of honor at an interstellar commitment ceremony. Or perhaps I'll just wear it while swanning around lunching establishments with the other ladies-who-lunch.
This pattern would make a really lovely wedding dress. The skirt is very, very full in the back, and I can easily picture it extending into a train. It comes in a long sleeve version, as well. So, if you're in the market for that kind of thing, you might want to consider this pattern.
The fabric is a home dec polyester that is one of the more interesting fabrics I have come across. It has a really substantial weight, a soft hand, and it looks identical on both sides. Normally I only sew with natural fabrics, but this fabric deserves to be an exception. It is really amazing, but boy, was it hard to photograph.
The pattern is Vogue 1084, a re-issued Vintage Vogue. I'm not normally one for sewing vintage, but this really caught my eye. I like the low back and high front necklines. The skirt, as drafted, is really long. I took off 4" before I cut, then ended up taking another 5" off the front.. I left the back long, for a sort of mermaid effect.
My serger is the devil. I did without it for 2 years in London and did not even miss it. I left it in storage here because of the power issues with 220 power there. Now, it sits next to my sewing machine tempting me with its less-than-couture seam finishes. I caved for this dress, seeing as it may never actually see the light of day anyway.
I determined a while back that there is no point to sewing for the life that I have, which is really boring, but this dress is so out there that I could not even begin to imagine a life where I would need to wear something like it. Occasionally, I like to wear something costume-y to go to museums in the city, so it may be handy for that. Just the kind of thing to sew in February!
Side view. You can see the difference in length between the front and back skirt.
Back
I embroidered a bird on the back facing.
18 comments:
This is extremely cool. I think you should stun and impress at parent teacher night or the school concert, or of course accept the invitation to the interstellar commitment ceremony. Surely you can find a babysitter? :) I love the bird embroidery.
Oh man is that one lovely dress! We have got to find somewhere for you to wear it. I love the fabric choice and I love how it fits you! Simply stunning!
That dress gives me goosebumps. I really think it's lovely. The fabric seems lovely too. I need to practice some embroidery. I like what you are doing with the embroidery.
Stunning dress. The view from the back could stop a cocktail party. You have to sew things like this once in a while.
Don't people who dress for Star Trek conventions have their clothing fantasies? Well, you can have yours. It's harmless and way cheaper than psycho care.
Gorgeous dress and gorgeous color.
I own this pattern but am stumped as to where to wear it ........ I was thinking of making it shorter so it could be worn more casual, but it is really a classic so I think it works, and you could surely wear it where ever you want!
Sew Tessuti featured it a few weeks ago in a red jacquard. I love the bronze/neutral color you chose.
Hold your head high when you wear it,it is superb!
Very nice. You just never know when you might need it! Now you are ready :)
This dress has great parts - classic and fresh, it will be a staple in your closet. You may not wear it immediately, but it will become one of your "go to" dresses. You might even make it up again. It's beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful!
That dress is just lovely on you! I'm all for sewing what you love, rather than what you need/where you live, and I'm sure the perfect place to wear it will materialize.
Your dress is so pretty. Yea for sewing just for the fun of it
Sometimes you just want to sew fun and fantasy. What fun is it to be practical all the time? It's a fantastic dress and you'll just have to wear it out in NY. Now, because you have this perfectly fabulous dress watch the perfect occasion show up too.
Wear it grocery shopping! I'm in the same boat as you my friend, but I've decided I'm going to dress for the life I might have. Lovely dress and I adore the embroidery! I love to put things like that in my garments, even if I'm the only one who knows it's there. Great job!
Claudine, you always make me laugh. I hope the suitable interstellar commitment ceremony shows up - or why not come to my PhD graduation in mid-July? Anyway, a dress like that will never be out of place, just as surely as it will never be what everyone else is wearing.
That dress is so lovely! I agree, you have to find somewhere to wear it. I'm sad at the thought that it may just hang in the closet, never to see the light of day (or the brillant night lights).
Very pretty fabric choice. Love the bow in the back.
Holy Fabulous, Claudine! The fit is spectacular, and the construction meticulous as always. And the embroidery is the perfect little extra couture detail. There are lots of places you can wear that dress. I'm sure it will see lots of daylight ...and moonlight.
The dress is exquisite and fits you to a "T".
How did I miss this post? I love this dress. I think Cennetta (the Mahogany Stylist) is sewing this for one of her clients.
We should plan another NYC get together when the weather calms down.
We can all wear outrageous clothes if we want. I wore my tight miniskirt in Seoul and felt quite comfortable in it.
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