Sunday, November 7, 2010

65 Steps to a Vogue 1117

You may remember the fabric, and the chosen pattern ....


and so the marathon begins .... make a toile - which really isn't my normal mode of attack - but thought I'd play it cautious with such scrumptious fabric and a tricky little pattern .... these photos are actually the 2nd alterations to the toile ...
I cut a 12 - tapering to a 14 around the hips - this was a little too big - so took it in about 1cm on each side seam from the waist down. I also had to bring in the back darts about 0.5cm and adjust about 1cm for a sway back - that all gave a much nicer back definition. Everything else seemed OK.

The marathon continued with very careful cutting. With such a large print repeat, I checked each piece and cut out like my life depended on it - there is a centre front and centre back seam on this dress - so that was my matching priority. I read some reviews of this pattern, and I found that Allison's advice was very very useful in terms of sewing the little side front and back panels (thanks Allison!). The dress is fully lined - I used Silk Habotai from Gorgeous Fabrics. Everything went very well - however, I also added a bound edge to the raw edges of the CB vent - I used satin bias binding.

And after 65 time consuming steps here it is ....
I should have worn a strapless bra - but they annoy me  - I'll have to investigate a more cooperative strapless bra - cause my bra strap showed up in photos of this as I wore it last night .... the front detail is lovely ...

Check out that seamless continuity of pattern!!!! BTW - I used an invisible CB zipper ....

I am very very happy with this little number and it will get plenty of wear with the coming Christmas and end of year celebrations.... not to mention a special BIG NUMBER birthday party for a friend who lives at ....... (hah! jokin'!) - she'll know what I mean! And here I am with some of my school buddies from my 30 year School Reunion last night ...... my how time flies!!!

17 comments:

  1. Looking gorgeous, good to see that the hemline was longer than the uniforms used to be 30 years ago!

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  2. Gorgeous! Your hard work really paid off, and the seams are undetectable! I think you'll wear this dress for a long time, it's so classic and beautiful.

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  3. That dress is fantastic! It's great to see the muslin as well. You look terrific, and I'm sure you'll get loads of wear from it.

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  4. Stunning! You look gorgeous! 30 year reunion? No way, I was jealous of your figure when I first saw the muslin pics. No fair!

    Great job on your dress.

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  5. You look terrific in this dress. I love how you have used the print.
    I own this pattern but the fitting is scaring me off. My hat is off to you.

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  6. Well done. That's a dedicated process!

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  7. Wow, your dress is amazing, and fabulously good job with matching up those prints!! You look gorgeous. And very worth the effort of enclosing those raw edges in a Hong Kong seaming, so beautifully finished! 10 out of 10

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  8. Fabulous!! It looks amazing on you and your hard work shows :)

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  9. And all the steps were worth it! What a stunning dress.

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  10. Gorgeous dress. I never would think of a print for this pattern, but it works very well.

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  11. Your dress came out beautifully and fits like a glove. Great pattern matching.

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  12. Brilliant dress and your pattern matching is superb. Now a 30 year school reunion?

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  13. That is a beautiful dress! I'm impressed that you made it through all 65 steps, too. :)

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  14. You look great in your dress. Like Sigrid I hadn't thought of using a print for this dress but it really works. Your matching on the back is amazing!

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  15. You look amazing in that. I hope you got lots of compliments.

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