The birthday dress that wasn't ...

I don't usually make a fuss about birthdays, but I like the idea that Trena has of making herself a birthday dress every year, so I decided to make one for myself. I wasn't expecting anyone to be whisking me off for a nice meal or anything, I just fancied the idea of having something special for myself, even if no one else noticed or even knew.

My dress had inspiration in this picture. I like the 50's feel, but shirt dresses don't seem to work on me, I suspect they are better suited to ladies with a more straight up and down figure than mine. After searching and searching I ended up with Vogue 8667. I can't recall which view this is, but it looks better on me than Vera. Now that I have gotten FAT my garments don't look quite the same on her. This has ended up more 60's, which I actually think is where my personal style is leaning.

This is a wonderful cotton that I bought at Fantazia Fabricland in Tweed Heads ages ago and couldn't figure out what to make with it. Every time I found the right pattern, I realised I didn't have enough fabric and of course, there was none left at the store. I tried this dress with several belts and this one looks the best. I have a particular obsession with patent leather, but that's the subject of a-whole-nother blog post. Looking at this now, I think I might try a red pair of shoes.

I have found myself taking more care with my sewing, coincidentally at the same time as Lindsay T posted about it. I also find I look at the instructions less and less and use my own methods and reference material. I lined this entire dress by machine, including bagging the hem. The only handstitching was to slipstitch the collar in place and I only did that because I preferred the look. I lined the top with a beige cotton poplin for comfort (it's hot here at the moment) and the skirt with some black lining I found in my stash (acetate?). I'm so happy with this lining because you could wear it inside out, if it didn't look so weird. I didn't get to wear it on my birthday, but I will wear it on Monday and I'll still feel good, especially if red shoes look good with it.