black dress all finished!

Saturday 4 September 2010
The black dress I've been sewing to enter the Tessuti Awards is all done, and it turned out very nicely if I do say so myself! Now all I need is for my model to come around to take some photos - we had made a few times last week to meet up but for various reasons she couldn't make it. I've had a few dramas myself last week - both my husband and I got food poisoning from lunch last Saturday and were quite unwell for a few days and then I managed to cut the tips of a finger on both hands which makes sewing quite difficult with bandaged fingers!

Thanks for your suggestion Jean of doing a double layer for the drape to match the sleeves - I can't believe I didn't think to do that since I'm so matchy matchy in all other things I sew! But it turned out fantastically. I made the top layer slight smaller than the bottom one so the two layers are visible, I sewed pleats into both layers and then I joined them at the top using a French seam. Again, I've just used a brooch to attach it to the dress, I think it's more versatile having it detachable and it is in fact how the original pattern was designed.


And I managed to get the puffiness out of the hip area by taking in the side seams dramatically so it's now quite a snug fit. But since it's wool crepe it has that little bit of stretch to make it still wearable and I think it fits the style better to have it extremely fitted:


So this is my version of the LBD - a short length suitable for a cocktail party, fluttery sleeves for fun and a flattering fit to the body. Hopefully the next photo you see of this will have a body in it!


And thank you all so much for the advice about being paid for sewing - you're all completely correct that I should use my sewing time to sew what I want otherwise the joy might be drained out of it. I do earn enough money in my day job to not need any extra income, but like all of us I could use more time to do the sewing I want for myself and Anna, let alone anyone else. So I've decided firstly not to remind this friend because she has a tendency not to follow up, but if she does I'll only do it this once. And I'll charge her 50% of what the original plus she has to provide the fabric - it's quite a simple full skirt with waistband she's after so I should be able to knock it out quickly but she's still getting it much cheaper than at retail. Hopefully this way our friendship is maintained and I can get on with my ever-growing to do list!

16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful dress , I bet your friend will be thrilled . I love it .

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  2. The dress is stunning! You did an awesome job on it!

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  3. Sofie www.sewdarntired.blogger.com4 September 2010 at 23:32

    Wow! Looks great! I love the little sleeve caps. I have been stalking your blog daily (ok, a little more) to see progress .... it's really stunning and I can't wait to see it on the model. Good luck in the competition too.

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  4. So elegant and so well tailored. Good luck with the contest. Way to go on getting it finished!

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  5. Beautiful dress. Good luck in the contest.

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  6. Stunning dress and good luck in the competition.

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  7. Your dress design is utterly gorgeous. Good luck in the competition!

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  8. It turned out lovely. And seeing the dress on your friend... she looks wonderful in it! What's not to like! The judges should be duly impressed! If they aren't... well, they will need their heads examined!
    Congrats on finishing... it looks great!
    Glad to be of a little help!

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  9. It's a lovely dress. I've been voting on the Tessuti Awards and have just updated all my votes this morning. Good luck with that.

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  10. Simply wow.

    Good luck for the competition (I already left my vote!) from Germany,
    Anja

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  11. Those pleats are amazing. Wonderdul job !

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