Silk Dots and Rhinestones
I fell for this Marc Jacob’s embroidered silk from Mood months ago. I saved it in my list of must-get fabrics while I searched for the right pattern. I wanted the pattern to be playful for the sake of the dots, while also being serious enough to live up to the silk. Enter BurdaStyle’s Graphic Dress 09/2012 #113. I liked the carefree nature of the Peter Pan collar, as well as the design of the front facing that lent a tuxedo vibe to the dress. Add some of Mood’s rhinestone buttons, and you’ve a great combination.
Overall, I’m incredibly happy with the outcome. The final dress is just as I imagined it. Cute enough to wear with leggings, but dressy enough that I could easily go from work to a night on the town without too much effort.
I just love how the rhinestone button at the very top sets off the Peter Pan collar. Another favorite little detail: the double rhinestones on the cuffs.
My least favorite part of the dress right now is the hem. I was hoping for the dress to have more of a feminized-husband’s-tuxedo-shirt thing going on. I actually hemmed the dress higher than the pattern suggested in the hopes that it would be a little bit shorter than the already pretty short version the BurdaStyle model is wearing online. But, alas, she must be much taller than me. After looking at these photos, I think what I’m going to do is recut the hem to have the curved shape of a man’s shirt at the bottom. What do you think? Would that be a huge mistake, or would that help me achieve the look I was going for?
Another thing I want to do is make an ivory colored slip to wear underneath this dress and then pair it with some bright colored tights. I’m thinking I might make a pair of hot pink of tights since I got a lot of compliments on the way to work this morning when this dress was peeking under my pink pea coat (read: my husband said he really liked the pink of my coat with the dress – but, that was all I needed to get my day started off well!).
This dress marks my first real effort to modify a pattern based on comparing my measurements to the flat pattern measurements, a technique I’ve been learning in Sandra Betzina’s Pant Fitting Techniques class on Craftsy. I figured this drapey pattern would be a good trial for translating what I’ve learned for pants in to tops. I think I did a decent job taking the pattern in to better match my measurements, but I could have left myself a bit more ease across the shoulders and bust. I also could have made the cuffs just a smidgen bigger.
Also, thanks to the confidence I got from all of your comments on my blog last week, I followed my instincts instead of the directions for sewing in the collar (after removing 5/8″ from the width so it better framed my long, skinny neck). It was nice to read that there are many different ways to sew in a collar and that you guys often break away from instructions as you see fit. Thanks for so much wonderful input! How I love the wonderful online sewing community.
See, the dress does look good paired with a bright color! Now, go make one yourself! Happy sewing!
Cidell
January 24, 2013
Very pretty! You are right. The buttons are the right touch. I rarely go back and ‘fix’ garments. I think this looks great as is. But, understand you gotta do what you gotta do to feel ‘right’ about a project.
Amy
January 25, 2013
It is so hard to go back and “fix” a project once it’s been marked as “completed”, right?!
Lauren
January 24, 2013
Beautiful!!! I love those rhinestone buttons!
I agree that you should go for the curved hem – it would complement the style of the dress, and I think it would benefit from being just a bit shorter. Not too much – just what you’re going to have to cut off to curve the hem
Amy
January 25, 2013
Agreed. Now to make it happen instead of just moving on to the next project!!
Lori
January 24, 2013
Very, very pretty dress. I agree with shortened, curved hem. Also, I like your idea of the slip and bright tights. That is the best thing about a great garment we have sewn, the wardrobe possibilities we have. Enjoy your dress.
Amy
January 25, 2013
I do love thinking about wardrobe possibilities… It makes for fun dreaming about future projects, too!
Amanda S.
January 24, 2013
I’ve had my eye on this fabric too. Polka dots always seem to be in style. Great job on the dress! I always tweak my projects if I think they need a little something else. That gray skirt I made for December had a waistband that rolled terribly when worn. I ripped it out and put in a facing. Now it will get tons of wear. If you think the new hem will suit you better, do it! (And I think it’s a great idea too, BTW.)
Amy
January 25, 2013
It’s a great fabric! It feels and acts just like silk crepe de chine – I’m not sure it’s marked as such, but that’s at least what I thought when I was working with it. The dots are raised since they’re embroidered on. It’s a great fabric!
Carolyn
January 24, 2013
Amy it’s lovely and I really like the idea of rounding the hem to make it look more like a man’s shirt! Go for it!
Amy
January 25, 2013
Thanks! Now to make the time to get back to it…
oonaballoona
January 24, 2013
i adore those buttons with those polka dots, and your collar is delicious! i think you should go for it with your hem idea, all the way baby.
Amy
January 25, 2013
I love the consensus! It’s unheard of for the sewing community to all agree. I guess I must pull out my shears and get to hemming!
Erica B
January 25, 2013
Nice! That fabric is great!
Amy
January 26, 2013
Thanks Erica!
Ginger
January 25, 2013
This is gorgeous! It fits you beautifully, and the fabric really suits this pattern and style. I love the idea of this being a bit shorter, too. You have fab legs– you may as well show them off!
Amy
January 26, 2013
Why thank you darling! I actually have it out on the cutting table now… Wish me luck!
Andrea
January 25, 2013
Polka dots? Awesome! Rhinestone buttons? Fabulous! I love the idea of the curved hem. Great dress!
Amy
January 26, 2013
Thanks! I have been very excited about this combination for awhile. I hope to have a garment I’ll wear over and over. Now to cut that hem…