Sunday, May 23, 2010

The Christina Dress

Well, here it is! The whole thing. Inspired by a Herve Leger design that Christina Hendricks wore, this LBD is made from Butterick 8963, a 1960s vintage pattern.


I made it in double knit, which is super comfy to wear (here are my tips on sewing double knits, if you're interested). My only fitting change was to add 5/8" to each side seam for the waist and hips.



I think it's quite flattering as well. (If I do say so myself.)

Of course, the crowing glory of the dress is the neckline.

If you're interested in adding details like this to your own sheath dress, it's easy! Here are the pattern pieces (ignore piece #7):

The neckline has two straps that are sewn into the inside. You're supposed to baste the top of the straps to the neckline before applying the facing. But I just sewed them in by hand so I could get better control of their placement. Here's what the inside looks like:

The bow is just a long rectangle, tied up. It's also sewn on by hand. I tacked the edges loops and hanging ties of the bow down so they'd stay in place.

I bought this pattern from Booty Vintage, and the seller sent me a package of vintage hot pink hem lace as well. So sweet!

I used my Riri satin zip and used my vintage lapped side zip method to insert it.

Of course, the dress must be worn with hot pink pumps to match the hem lace!

52 comments:

  1. Bravo! You're absolutely glowing with pride in your stunning dress!

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  2. It's gorgeous!!! Love it! Very smart to hand-stitch the front details onto the dress, instead of putting it into seams or anything. If you get bored of it(but why would you...), you can simply remove it! I might, might copy this look...

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  3. I love it!!!!! You look great!

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  4. You look beautiful in the dress! I love how you reproduced the best elements of the designer dress and made it your own!

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  5. Christina Hendricks has nothing on you in that dress. You look glamorous.

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  6. Lovely dress! You look stunning in it:)

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  7. Wow! You dress is beautiful, and so are you.

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  8. Absolutely stunning. The dress is incredible and you look fantastic. I totally agree about the hot pink shoes. A great interpretation of your inspiration. It really is a flattering dress.

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  9. This looks incredible! And so stunning in the black double knit. Thanks for the picture of the inside detail - I didn't think that gorgeous neck would be so simple. So great with coloured shoes!

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  10. I love the neckline! And, you're right, it is very flattering!

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  11. Holy monkey, I LOVE this!

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  12. Congratulations Gertie! You look stunning in your dress. Very inspiring....thanks for sharing

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  13. This dress is absolutely stunning! I love the neckline! What a fantastic accomplishment.

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  14. You have really outdone yourself! It is SO freaking cute!

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  15. Love love love your dress - it looks fantastic!!!

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  16. God this looks awesome! Can I ask you a personal question? Do you wear spanx or something underneath the knit or is that not necessary with double knit? Whenever I try on cute dresses at the store I'm always saddened by the places they cling.

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  17. I love this dress. The lines are so simple, but very effective. Proof that the black dress doesn't have to be "little" to be sexy.

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  18. gosh, you look smmmoookiin. seriously channeling Joan but how could you not be? Also, I'd love to learn how you did your hair like that. wonderful posing and its great to live vicariously through your skillz.

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  19. Your look amazing! If you worked at Sterling-Cooper.... watchout Joan!

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  20. That is hot! They should sell that dress pattern with tattoos! (or transfers, for wusses like me!)

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  21. You look absolutely stunning in your fabulous dress, Gertie. Beautiful!

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  22. I LOVE this dress and you look gorgeous and sophisticated!

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  23. Your dress is gorgeous and so perfect for you. I am jealous.

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  24. You look gorgeous and I LOVE the shoes!

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  25. Oh my word! That is absolutely stunning! I must make myself a dress like that.

    You look amazing in it.

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  26. Beautiful dress -- and, indeed, v. flattering. Great job! You've inspired me to try sewing with double knit, too!

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  27. Awesome! I love your hair too!

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  28. Absolutely beautiful. You look awesome! :D Xxxc

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  29. It's fabulous! I love it and it's truly the perfect little black dress! So fetching, I'm sure you're man is beating off the boys with a stick. What a knock-out!

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  30. That dress looks awesome on you! I love the little details, like the hand-finished neckline and the hot pink hem lace (and I agree - you have to wear the pumps to match).

    When I was taking history of 20th century fashion courses for my MA, my prof described couture as having layers of detail and complication not present in pret fashion - such as discrete hem finishes, handworked closures and details, and complex combinations of fine fabrics - as well as excellence of fit. By those standards, your sewing is approaching couture quality!

    I also love your hair. I'm growing mine out from a bad cut, and I can't wait until it's long enough again to do fabulous braids!

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  31. I'm surprised to say this, but this dress is hands-down my favorite of all the ones you've made so far. (Surprised, because you've done so many amazing dresses-- and yet this simplicity of this is striking. So elegant and yet completely wearable.)
    Well done, Gertie!

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  32. Fabulous! I think that's the most flattering dress I've seen yet. You look flawless!

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  33. That is a flawless dress: color, drape, detail, fit and styling.
    Great job!

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  34. Wow! You look awesome!

    Any chance that you might give insight onto how you did your hair? I like that braid look, but mine always skid around on my head and eventually fall down. Do you anchor them somehow in pin curls?

    Thanks.

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  35. What an awesome dress! You look fabulous and I LOVE the pink shoes!

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  36. i just found your blog and i am in love! will email you re story for mixtape
    justine

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  37. The dress is awesome and very flattering! Terrific job!

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  38. The dress and you are both stunning !
    (While I admire Ms Hendricks, her dress looks as though it's on the verge of exploding, while yours is all classy and well-fitting)

    Thank you for the pattern, it could be a good idea to enliven a plain sheath dress.

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  39. Such a cute dress! Love it.

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  40. Oooh I love it! Looks stunning on you and love the little hints of pink - hem tape and pumps!
    Thanks for sharing the inside of the neckline, I'm always curious how things are made. Excellent work!

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  41. Fabulous Neckline! and stunning on you!
    Jana

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  42. That is GORGEOUS!! And I agree, doubleknit is both a dream to sew and so comfy to wear. :)

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

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