Wednesday, August 25, 2010

BWOF 12-2008-130 - Navy blue floral silk w/ navy wool combo dress

Hurray! Here it is, the finished 130 dress, previously blogged about here. It took me one day shy of 2 weeks to complete. I kept thinking of this as an epic project - mostly because of the silk chiffon bodice - but it's really just a glorified sheath. I fell in love with this design nearly two years ago. It was the interesting design lines of the skirt that drew me in, although they are really hard to photograph. Perhaps the enlarged pictures will show them off better.

After the bodice was completed, the skirt portion went together with relative ease. The hardest part was altering the low hip because of the absence of true side seams. Instead of making a muslin, (I should but try to avoid if at all possible) I measured the pattern for waist and low hip and altered accordingly. Then I cut out the skirt lining and fit it to my dressform. I ended up taking out all four vertical seams because the first go was too large. After I achieved a perfect fit in the lining, the wool was cut and stitched up.

I used the recommend fabrics for this dress - silk chiffon for the bodice and wool crepe for the skirt. They were both purchased from Denverfabrics.com in early 2009. Navy Ambiance was used for the skirt lining.

Here is a list of all the little tweaks I made in case anyone is interested:
1. Changed the back binding to straight grain instead of bias. I actually made one side in bias but since the backs are cut on a slant, it stretched out. It's a straight piece, so I went with straight grain and the result was perfect.
2. Added 3/8" to the back slanted pieces for fit.
3. Added 1" total to the top rib cage area of the skirt. I actually only had to do this to the lining as the wool crepe I used was a bit stretchy.
4. Added 1.5" total to the lower hip area and took that all the way to the hemline.
5. Included an Ambiance skirt lining.
6. Simplified the slit as my skirt was lined.
7. Included some small gathers at the bust in the bodice as I ended up with a little too much fabric in that area.

The few people that have made this dress and posted it on Patternreview.com have complained about the lack of lining in the bodice. I put the flesh-toned cami I intend to wear this dress with on under it and it's totally modest.

Besides the interesting skirt design lines, I also really loved the way the back closes by lapping over itself. With the straight grain bias bands, I had no issues with it stretching out.

Here's the skirt lining that I added. This was completely slip-stitched on once the bodice and skirt portion were sewn together to my satisfaction. I slip-stitched the slits together as well and it was finished!

I will be making a matching cropped jacket to wear this with as it is intended to be a fall/winter outfit. However, I am not finding any pattern that fits what's in my mind's eye, and will have to alter another Burda pattern to get what I want. It won't be difficult, but I'm going to take a little break from this outfit and make a simple skirt first.

I am currently answering my phone by saying, "No baby yet." My due date has come and gone and baby girl has yet to make an appearance. You would think since this is my third baby that it would be on time. But no. We are both doing fine, though. I am praying she comes soon so the doctor will not have to induce me. Pitocin is not my friend.

42 comments:

  1. Gorgeous dress. Can't wait to see it on you! You are an amazing seamstress/designer!

    Good luck with your new arrival! I hope too that you do not induce:)

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  2. The dress is gorgeous. I do hope that the baby comes on her own. I have only been induced (twice) and expect that I will be doing that again with this one so I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

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  3. That is simply beautiful! Good luck with the "arrival". Hope she makes up her mind to arrive on her own...and soon!

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  4. Smokin' hot dress! I love the way the back closes – I haven't seen that particular design detail before. Gorgeous, gorgeous! You're going to look fantastic in it.

    Hope your little girl shows up to the party soon. I can't wait to see pix and share the love vicariously!

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  5. I enjoy watching your creations. Both my boys were each 7 and 8 days late. She'll come when she's ready. :)

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  6. Gorgeous dress!

    Hang in there, your baby girl will be here before you know it...hopefully without the help of pitocin, since you're not friends. LOL

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  7. I love the dress. Hope induction not necessary, I so dislike having the pitocin.

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  8. Oh, this is beautiful! I know the bias bands gave you fits, but the finished dress is just gorgeous. :) I, too, love the back - what a cool and unexpected detail.

    I really hope the little gal makes an appearance soon. I've heard that pitocin is a pain, literally. :/ Hang in there and we're all thinking good thoughts for you!

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  9. This dress is absolutely stunning. It's probably my favorite piece you've ever made.

    Best of luck with the delivery... whenever it happens!

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  10. What a beautiful dress - it looks just like one of my favorite storebought dresses! Good luck, and I hope the baby girl comes soon!

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  11. So Lovely! That color will be so stunning on you. All that hard work paid off:)
    BTW, know what you mean about the pitocin. I had the opposite problem (she came 2 wk early) and that stuff is no joke!

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  12. What a sophisticated dress...what fun you will have when you can fit into all these clothes you are making! Good luck with that baby, hope all goes well.

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  13. I think that is the most gorgeous thing you have made and posted on this site. I am sure looking forward to a 'fashion show' when you can model these creations you have made during your pregnancy yourself. Of course that will take a 'back seat' for a long while when bubs arrives!

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  14. Gorgeous dress. I am sure your baby girl will come soon. Good luck

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  15. Wow, amazing dress. Can you still reach the sewing machine? hehe
    I've been induced 4 times (did I just say that?).

    Praying for a safe delivery...

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  16. Gorgeous dress. Best wishes for you and the new bub.

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  17. What a stunning dress this turned out to be. I agree with Victoria, the coloring will look really good on you and it has such a nice silhouette. Praying for all to go well with you and baby. Hang in there. You are so close now!

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  18. Just gorgeous! Good luck with the birth - hope it goes smoothly!

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  19. Everytime you post these days I think that your daughter must have arrived! But it was not disappointing to see your gorgeous dress!

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  20. Another fabulous dress! But this one is definitely very special indeed. All your careful and skilled work has really paid off. I love the style and the combination of fabrics you have chosen - the colours are very beautiful and elegant. When you get to wear this you are going to look very stunning and ready for a very special night out. I'm sure you'll be saying hello to a beautiful girl very soon.

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  21. I cannot imagine you need more positive stroking but the dress is really beautiful! I saw a great pattern for those little short jackets. One of the major pattern makers-don't recall which one-but it was a historical pattern with several views. Lots of details too. I would love to make one but . . .

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  22. That dress is absolutely gorgeous, Amanda. I hope you'll show it to us when you're back into your old shape again. I am sure you will look stunning in it. And goodluck with the waiting for your baby girl!

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  23. Beautiful dress - it was worth the extra effort!

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  24. TEUS TRABALHOS SÃO MARAVILHOSOS.PARABÉNS.
    GILDA

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  25. That is a beautiful dress, inside and out. Best wishes to you and the new arrival!

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  26. Beautiful dress, thank you for all the nice pictures, much appreciated!
    Good luck with your baby girl!

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  27. This is a simply stunning dress. You can see all of your hard work in it! Here's hoping baby girl comes soon. I was only induced once (out of 3x) and understand why you wouldn't want to go there!

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  28. Beautiful dress. I love the back where the fabrics overlap- so cute. Hope the baby comes soon.

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  29. I didn't make that one because I made the very similar dress (but with sleeves) from an issue a few months previous. But you are really tempting me--I love that back overlap.

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  30. This dress is amazing, I might have a go!

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  31. Very pretty dress! I admire you for hanging in there and finishing it!

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  32. Really pretty! It was worth all the hard work! This is going to be so beautiful on you! Hang in there, you know how we women are and she's a little Diva in training...she'll come when she's ready!! Hopefully it will be before the doctor decides! :)

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  33. Awesome dress, the combination of fabrics is beautiful. And what a special back too.
    Good luck waiting, hope she gets there soon without inducing.

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  34. Lovely dress but one thought.........If you don't go back to your orginal size this time......Then??

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  35. Beautiful! , I'm thrilled! Both fabrics are perfectly chosen for this dress.

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  36. What a stunning dress Amanda! Congratulations.

    Thinking of you and the baby!

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  37. Lovely dress. The color/fabric combination looks so beautiful and the dress so well made...

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  38. That dress is fabulous, I made this model for some time and I am delighted with it, very elegant!

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