Monday, January 25, 2010

Faux Fifties Dress in Plum Shantung

Here's Vogue 8615, which is a current pattern that secretly believes it's a vintage pattern. Vogue thinks so too. The pattern supplies include a "purchased crinoline"! I'm wearing one of my "modern crinolines" here, which gives it just the right amount of pouf for everyday, I think. (Here's my crinoline tutorial if you're interested!)

This lighting shows the color better, along with every crease and wrinkle in the fabric. Sigh.

And here's my attempt at "sexy face," effectively proving that I would be the worst pin-up model ever. There goes that dream.

All in all, I really liked this pattern. I made a size 14 and only made two alterations: one for my forward-rounded shoulders and one to adjust the length. You know what drives me crazy about modern patterns? They usually have two lengths, one of which is way above the knee, and the other of which is mid-calf. Srsly? Can't we all agree on a nice, flattering below-the-knee length? I usually end up splitting the difference between the two offered lengths.

I like the v-neckline in the back.

Also, it has sideseam pockets - yay!

One construction thing that I thought was a little screwy was this: the directions tell you to line the sleeves and the bodice to the edges, and then treat each lined piece as one when you set in the sleeve. So, you would have an ugly unfinished seam in the armhole. Isn't the whole point of lining to conceal these things? To avoid this, I set in just the dress layer of the sleeve, and then sewed the sleeve lining in by hand. Nice and finished!

The lining I used is a mauve-ish Ambience bemberg rayon. I love this stuff!

I would definitely recommend this pattern, especially if you want a retro look but don't want to use a vintage pattern for whatever reason.

I spent the weekend prepping some other projects. I cut out two blouses and a skirt! I have high hopes that prepping over the weekend will make some weeknight sewing easier. Wish me luck! I hope you all had a lovely, productive weekend of sewing.

61 comments:

  1. I have that pattern and planned to make it in a thin wool - which is what I thought the houndstooth on the artwork was indicating. After seeing the pattern all made up on you, I'm going to have to say that it would have to be well nigh to wool tissue in order for it to work. Looks gorgeous on you, though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful dress. I'm thinking of sewing it without the sleeves (I'm a sleeveless kind of girl *g*). Do you think a nice, torquoise taffeta would be a good choice?

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks very pretty, the colour really suits you. How was the shantung to work with? I made a light weight silk cocktail dress before Christmas; it was lovely to sew but horrible to press.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh it looks absolutely gorgeous. I was nosing through Vogue's patterns last night and recognised this one from your blog - it's one of those dresses where I'm all 'OH I WANT IT' but I worry that I'd never ever wear it once I was done! Dilemma. Perhaps I should follow Aldara's suit and make it without sleeves - I adore the back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautifully made. I do love that back as well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gorgeous. Love the colour and fits beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Gorgeous dress. I love the v neckline in the back.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello
    Wow this dress looks really very nice and you also look pretty in it.I like fabric and pattern of this dress.Thank you for showing this.

    buy r4

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's beautiful! That color looks gorgeous next to your skin.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Amazing dress! You look absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, stunning! I researched this pattern when sewingpattern.com was having a sale on vogue patterns. I found (only) 2 reviews at PR and both reviews do not recommend this pattern. But seeing your version... wow.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I actually gasped when I saw the picture of you in this dress. You did a beautiful job. It's stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Perfect dress for you; it looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your scrumptious version has inspired me to make this as my first dress. Thanks for the tip about the sleeve lining - it's pleasing details like that which made me want to learn to sew.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Holy moly, it looks fantastic. And what a gorgeous shade on you! The v-neck back and pockets are both such fantastic details, too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. You look fantastic in that color! Great dress and you should definitely make another one...in a light summer silk floral!

    ReplyDelete
  17. It looks fantastic -- the color really suits you. Must be a dream to wear, I love the feel of Ambiance lining too!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You know, Gertie, the other day Casey referred to you as "her sewing hero." I think you're my sewing hero as well! Rock on, girl! I hope someday I can be as meticulous as you are. This dress is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice dress.. I love the color on you...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looking at these photos, I really want to try my first dress. This one just looks perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gracious, that sure is purty! I'm having a hard time seeing the creases that you're talking about--I think it's perfect!
    How many hours on average do you sew? I'm curious as you seem to get so much done!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Yes, how much time a week would you say you spend sewing? The dress is lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great job. This dress looks great on you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love, love, love...looks like I have to stop deleting the Vogue pattern emails offering deals. This is pattern I need to try.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love this dress, it looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love the color. It is a nice change from burgundy and fuschia. Very cute dress.

    ReplyDelete
  27. It's beautiful! The color is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  28. beautiful! love the color and fabric.

    I was actually looking for your crinoline tutorial to suggest to a friend, but the video isn't working. Any way to fix? Or is it posted elsewhere (youtube?)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh!! THAT's lovely!!! the colour is great and you look so beutiful!! You really sew fast!! I like it...perhaps some day I'll do it.
    Oh! I saw the coat you sewed in Trasy Diva ! but the patter you used is not a vintage one? right? I'm gonna send you an email about it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. It's beautiful! The cut is really nice and vintage-ish (I'm agreeing with it being a vintage pattern trying to hide in modern wrapping... or modern skirt length?). I'm impressed by the lining, I really think that's my new patience project. I'd rather wear a slip than sew lining... And hey, all dreams cannot come true (nevertheless, you look great, and don't you rather be good-looking vintage everyday than good-looking pinup in pictures?)

    ReplyDelete
  31. This dress is so stylish and flattering! I adore it! I was thinkng of using that pattern too, particularly because it comes with a d-cup pattern piece which would save me a lot of hassle! but then again i wanna sew so many things and there's never enough time...sigh...

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love this dress! I was wondering if you felt that back was appropriate for the office? I have a few basic office dresses, but I hate the backs. I'm short, so I feel like I can afford to show a little bit more skin to avoid getting weighed down by high backlines and such... does that make sense?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love the dress! Looks great on you!

    I too try to prep my projects to make weeknight sewing easier. I find that if I don't, I never start anything on a weeknight. I'd love to what a regular weekly schedule looks like in the world of Gertie!

    http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. You look so amazing in your dress. I love the color you chose. The V in the back is lovely. Excellent job.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Love you in your new glasses and your hair looks so stunning in this photo!


    I love the length and color of this dress on you, very pretty.


    ♥Darla


    This pattern could have fooled me for vintage in a heart beat.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Super cute! Love the sexy face - whenever I think I'm making the "aloof yet alluring" face in pictures, I typically end up with a "drugged and confused" look. Tyra Banks, I ain't! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love this dress. I'm with Aldara - it would be great sleeveless. Perhaps for my daughter's wedding....

    ReplyDelete
  40. Beautiful and beautifully constructed.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, it looks wonderful

    ReplyDelete
  42. Gorgeous dress. The colour and shape are fabulous on you. Your lining looks so neat.

    ReplyDelete
  43. How lovely!!! The color pops in the second and third pictures. Looks great with the new glasses and your curled locks. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm with you on the dress length thing - I'm 5'4" (and short waisted, so I probably have the waist to knee length of someone 5'5" or slightly taller - I'm certainly not stumpy!), and only rarely do things end up in the vicinity of my knees - it's either too short or way too long. Oh, well.

    The dress looks really great on you; nice job on the sleeves (well, on all of it, actually).

    ReplyDelete
  45. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  46. That dress looks gorgeous! I love the color on you... :)

    I have sewn in many sleeve linings by hand before too; mostly because I hate the idea of the rest of the bodice being neatly finished, and ugly armhole seams and craziness. ;) lol.

    Can't wait to see what other sewing projects you've got in the works! :D

    ♥ Casey
    blog | elegantmusings.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hi Gertie, I'm so glad that I found you. I gave up sewing fashion for myself many years ago but I am about to pick it up again and your videos were just what I needed to get me in the swing again. I watched all 3. Thanks.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

    ReplyDelete
  48. By the way your dress is stunning on you! How do you feel about it in a medium sized print? Too much? or OK?

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love that dress! And you look great in it.

    Two questions:

    1. Why are the sleeves lined?

    2. Would it be difficult to change the V-shaped neckline in the back? (I don't like to show mine because I have ugly blotches on it.)

    ReplyDelete
  50. You and your dress look fabulous! Thank you for sharing your tutorials and being so helpful. Keep sewing...

    ReplyDelete
  51. Absolutely adorable dress! So elegant! LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I just adore this dress! The color is one that you don't really see in stores - which is awesome! Love it with the specs, too. Are you loving them??

    ReplyDelete
  53. I made this from a candy apple red silk shantung, but was very disappointed with the pointy ends on my darts. Did you have this problem and did you do something to fix it?

    ReplyDelete
  54. I have just stumbled across your wonderful blog. I am about to start teaching dressmaking classes in Glasgow, U.K and have picked this very dress for my first course. Would you mind if I shared a link on my blog and facebook page so that people can see how great it looks on you. I am midway through sewing mine up! Will have to spend more time browsing your blog. Leahx

    ReplyDelete
  55. I just finished making this! Your version is amazing. I wrote about my version here:
    http://strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com/2011/03/03/who-are-you-calling-easy-dress/

    ReplyDelete
  56. I just finished this dress myself. I put the hook & eye above the zipper and just realised, it's in the worst position for being able to reach myself. I cannot get in or out of this dress on my own! Disaster! Do you think I need to re-place the zipper so that there's no need for the hook & eye?

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love your dress.... and your blog... it's brilliant - you must here that all the time. I also liked your bag best in the Burdastyle book:)
    I totally agree about the length bit. I'm a just below the knee person and find it such a drag that it's always a) above, b) mid-calf, and sometimes c) around the ankle... hello?!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

© Gertie's Blog For Better Sewing. Powered by Cake