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.




Comments

kbenco said…
Happy Birthday. I have been taking extra trouble with my sewing and inside finishing also. It makes the project more satisfying. Your dress looks terrific. I am sure it looks even better on you.
Steph said…
Happy Birthday! That's one of the great things about blogging your sewing, you can show off the beautiful insides. :) It looks so pretty inside and out, you'll feel (and look) like a million bucks wearing it.
Sharon said…
Sending you more Birthday wishes. Love your dress and I can definately see it with red shoes.
Kristy Chan said…
lovely dress, I'm sure that red shoes will look great because they look great with everything!

Hope you had a great birthday
KID, MD said…
Beautiful dress!! Enjoy celebrating your birthday in it!
cidell said…
I'm not normally an animal print person. But, I love this dress! I also want to wish you happy birthday and say that I've been wanting to try bagging the lining at the bottom of a dress for a while now. I have a RTW dress finished like that and I love it.
KellysSewing said…
Happy Birthday! very nice dress!
wendy said…
happy birthday :-)
i love the dress... it looks so nicely made & the print is awesome!
Gail said…
Happy birthday. Love your dress - I made a similar leopard print crepe sheath dress. You must come to Sydney so we can go to lunch like teenage dressalikes!
toy said…
happy birthday Carol, this is beautiful, so stylish!
Sheila said…
Happpy Birthday and what a lovely B-day dress and definitely wear the red shoes.
Happy birthday! I *love* the dress. So glad you found a the perfect pattern for the fabric. I am guessing the red shoes were perfect.

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