More with the red and the black ...

This dress started life as NL6000 which has been in my collection for a while.    I was inspired by Rhinestones and Telephones Franken Pattern Pledge earlier this year to finally get to grips with patterns and fabric that have languished in my stash for some time and so this was a great place to start.  So many others have made this dress and it really is a great pattern.  Except for the sleeves.  I don't like 3/4 sleeves at the best of times, but I loathe them when they have these stupid cuffs and buttons that look like wings.  No problem; I can Franken Pattern.  I blended the sleeve from M5466 (also previously unused) with the original sleeve and therein lies the problem.  What happens when you replace a loose, shorter sleeve with a longer, fitted sleeve?  You can't move. 

After some cursing and swearing I added a lovely diamond gusset.  The picture isn't very clear, but it works and the dress is now wearable.   I lined it in bemberg and completely ignored the facings, just understitching the lining at the neck.

The fabric is a microfibre I bought from Gorgeous Fabrics about two years ago.  It has a slightly sueded finish but photographs with a sheen, so these pictures don't do it justice.  In fact, it looks unpressed in these shots, but it is.  I love the pleats on the side and I love the way the collar falls.  I tried about 5 different buttons, but I went with this one; a vintage silvered glass button.  I love garments like this that can make use of those special single buttons we all have in our stashes.  This one came from a button jar I bought at an op shop in Mullumbimby many years ago, so who knows where it began its life.  I'd guess it dates from the 30's.

Finally I finished the last of my free skirts from my TNT pencil skirt pattern, which it turns out is Burda 8715, a pattern I bought in about 1998.  I've made the skirt tons of times, but the jacket only once, although now I'm looking at it, it might just have to go back into the queue. 

 The fabric is another op shop piece of wool that cost me a whopping $1.50. I don't know if it shows in this picture, but the thin stripe is a brilliant blue, which just lifts this skirt and allows so many more wardrobe possibilities.


Parting shot: In my sewing room, I have a futon sofa that becomes a queen size bed  and this is Molly while I was sewing today. 

There won't be any more sewing this week until I get a new iron; my old one crapped out today.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Looks like your beautiful work bores Molly as much as mine bored the dachsies! Gorgeous dress and I'm off to look up diamond gussets!
May 27, 2012 at 9:53 PM
kbenco said…
ooh, gorgeous dress. I like it with the longer sleeve, and the gusset is an excellent save.
The skirt looks terrific too, fun colours for wintery days.
May 27, 2012 at 9:55 PM
toy said…
I love the collar on the dress, so classic
May 27, 2012 at 10:00 PM
Gail said…
Great job again. Funny I have this New Look pattern and some plain black sitting together on my sewing table.
May 27, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Sharon said…
Love your dress, good thinking re the diamond gusset and what a great skirt perfect for winter.

Roscoe does the same as Molly but he doesn't have a futon to lie on!
May 28, 2012 at 1:59 PM
velosews said…
You've done a wonderful job on both pieces. They're beautiful.
May 28, 2012 at 8:28 PM
The Slapdash Sewist said…
Nice save with the gusset! What an ingenious solution. Love the plaid on that skirt!
May 29, 2012 at 11:34 AM
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