Thursday, November 13, 2008

Dress-polozza!!! (Picture Heavy!)

I read Marji's comment in the comments section and thought I've been meaning to write a post about the dresses I've made this year...it was like she was channeling my thoughts so here are the comments that inspired this picture heavy, super heavy duty linked post...

"I was just thinking the other day that you must be getting close to your annual order. so I want to know, how much of that thread and how many of those zippers that all got delivered last February have you used? And, while you're counting, how many dresses have you made this year?"

First ~ I will address the annual order question...
I normally make my annual bulk orders (thread, interfacing, silk organza, zippers, elastic, even pins and needles) in late January/early February. I ordered ALOT this year...so I won't be replacing much in 2009! Now things like zippers and shoulder pads get refilled several times during the year...however, Atlanta Thread and Supply, where I order my thread from had a great sale at the beginning of the year and I went thread crazy...if I have to refill anything it will be basic black, white and brown.

Next ~ I have made 14 dresses so far this year! I'm not sure...I guess it seems like a lot but then for some reason I thought I had made 15...oh well...

1. Navy Blue Ribbed Dress - from TNT pattern


2. The Simplicity 3631 Dress in Black Wool Crepe



3. Gray Flannel Pleated Front Dress - from TNT Dress Pattern

4. Menswear Lace Dress - from TNT Pattern





6. New Look 6779



7. The Optical Illusion - from TNT dress pattern

8. The Contest Dress from the June Capsule Contest Wardrobe - dress from TNT pattern


9. Vintage Vogue 5265 - copyright 1961






11. Vintage Simplicity 8160 - copyright 1968 - 60's Mod Border Print Dress


12. Butterick 5399 - Inspired by Michael Kors Spring '08







Number 15 is The Dior Dress...I have another 2 or 3 I would like to make before the year is over...and Marji, I wish I could sew way more than I actually do...but in the great Catch-22 where would I wear all of these clothes that I made?! *LOL*

If you want to see more pics of the construction of the dresses, you can see them all in my 2008 Dresses Flickr Album.



43 comments:

  1. So many great dresses! My favorite is the color block!

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  2. They are ALL great.

    My favs are #6 New look 6779, #7 Optical Illusion, #11 Vintage Simplicity 8160, and #12 Butterick 5399.

    Thanks for keeping us posted as to your production!

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  3. That's cool to see all of your dresses at once. Not that you asked but #11 is my fav!

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  4. I am floored at how many different cuts and colors you look fab in! Man I love that MKors knockoff :)

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  5. Wow, fabulous! Now, how many do you wear on a regular basis? And which ones are your favourites? I like 4,11,12, & 13 best. And I think the Dior is going to be really nice :) You do sew up a lot and no wonder you lost that other lovely in the back of your wardrobe..lol

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  6. I don't think I've ever seen that first dress. I love it! You sure crank out the goods. Love the all in one place post. g

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  7. Wow! I am impressed and inspired by all of the wonderful and varied dresses that you have made this year. (I think that you should maybe be the Dress Queen now???)

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  8. Amazing! It's a good thing you aren't asking me to pick a favorite. They all look great.

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  9. All great dresses, Carolyn. Do you have a favorite?

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  10. Whoever said that horizontal stripes aren't flattering should look at #12 . . . absolutely gorgeous! Question: is there a type of thread that you typically use in most of your sewing projects? I took a look at the Atlanta Thread & Supply Site, and they have so many different types.

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  11. All absolutely beautiful dresses, Carolyn ! I'm going to jump in with a favorite as well - #11 !!!! I love that border print.

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  12. These are all fantastic!! I especially love the fabric on #7...that one drew my eye immediately! But each and every one of them are just beautiful.

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  13. Whew, that's a lot of dresses! I'm very impressed. I agree, it's hard to pick a fave, though I think—judging only by the photos—that I like the solid color dresses and the colorblock dress the best.

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  14. As always, inspiring....thank you so much for posting...I love the color block...just saw a color block dress pattern in the kwik sew book...and thought I could not pull it off....not that I have your fabulosity, but I might have to rethink that one....ML

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  15. Great post! My faves, not that you're asking, are the last three. I love the flirty skirt of the last dress a lot.

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  16. Wow! That's a lot of dresses! I love the color blocked dress, and the first one the best, not that you asked! Great dresses.

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  17. OMG!!! Thanks for posting this, I am so incredibly inspired by Dress-a-palooza. I need to get busy right now. Gosh, every time you leave the house, you must look absolutely stunning. This is what I aspire to.

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  18. My favorite is the border print dress. Very nice.

    You've been a very busy woman.

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  19. Nice collections of dresses. I previewed the detail constructions and I wanted to know if you always finish the raw edges with a zig-zag or serger before sewing the pieces together?

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  20. Wow, I didn't know you bulk-purchased supplies at the beginning of the year. That's such a great idea. Like you, I've been suffering from a lack of decent local sewing stores, so I may have to steal your idea. I'd love to hear more about what you purchase at the beginning of the year and how you plan for that purchase!

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  21. What a fantastic collection of dresses for the year. You are a sewist extraordinare! No, I don't have a favorite; it's like your children, they all are your favorites.

    Karendee

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  22. It's funny- must be a regional thing. No one here wears dresses- except to go to a wedding. Could it be that it is always cold here in Buffalo? Anyway- your dresses look great and they look fantastic on you. I love that mod paisley fabric- did you ever make the tunic? I have been drooling over print tunics with jeweled and embellished necklines in Oprah's mag. I want one.

    TC

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  23. Wow, Carolyn, you do get a lot done! I think all of your dresses are gorgeous but I especially love the last one - it's not a silhouette I am used to seeing you in. As soon as I get this stupid tile finished tomorrow I am heading back to my sewing machines! I am so upside down as fabric keeps coming in but there isn't much in the way of production. I don't want to be buried alive under fabric - or do I? What a way to go!

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  24. All I can say is "Wow, Sister!"

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  25. I know you didn't ask for a vote, but number 11 & 12 are the bomb!

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  26. YOU ARE MY SEWING HERO! ALL THE DRESSES ARE THE BOMB!

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  27. Wow and Wow. Okay, I'll be up there in the spring to play in your wardrobe. :) You are the queen of dresses.

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  28. very inspiring, I've got to make more dresses, these are all very stylish and if we are voting I think my faves are the colour blocked one and the last one. Hard to choose though!

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  29. Lovely wardrobe. I admire #11, 12, 13 and 4 and 6 the most on you.

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  30. I really like all of these dresses. The color block one is calling my name. KS has a similar pattern.

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  31. You always look so great in a dress, Carolyn! I wish I had your productivity! And I am RETiRED!!!

    BetsyV

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  32. WOW! That was so cool.It just what I needed as far as inspiration.I love them all.

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  33. You are are a very well "dressed" lady. Gorgeous collection, and my favorites are the colourblock and the last one.

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  34. Love the Michael Kors!

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  35. Style, style, style. Everything you make is so classy and elegant Carolyn and such a good lesson in how creativity and a sense of couture can be used to transform basic patterns. I always go to your blog when I need a sewing lift and always come away inspired. Thanks for doing this for us.

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  36. Love all the dresses!!!!! I LOVE DRESSES LOL.

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  37. After reading your fabulous blog for ages, I just had to speak up and say your dress post is wonderful. I know you didn't ask and we're all telling :), but the vintage Simplicity with the border print is so elegant and the number 13 OOP Vogue is divine! I'm jealous!!! Natasha

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  38. It's been a very productive year hasn't it?
    Great set of dresses in the closet. I had not realized you had so much variety in the patterned dresses either.
    Looking forward to the next phase.
    ;)

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  39. Carolyn, do you rememeber when you predicted last year that the dress would not last? I'm glad it has and you have done some wonderful pieces. My very favorite is the first, navy blue ribbed dress, it's looks terrific on you.

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  40. Wow! You are an absolute inspiration Carolyn! (my name is Carolyn too btw!)

    Perusing your blog and your work make me wanna get sewing! About 50% of what's in my closet is the product of my own hands (and beloved sewing machines), and I hope to one day be able to claim 100%. I bet you're pretty close to that already, aren't you?

    Unfortunately, my sewing machines are being mostly neglected right now (except when friends come over to do buttonholes on it, lol). Although I sew approx 33hrs/week right now, it's all by hand and not for me. Click on my name to go to my blog and you'll see what I mean!

    However, to help staunch the withdrawaly pangs, I'm just starting to work on organizing a 1950s wardrobe project to begin in June and run until I (hopefully) start the PhD in Sept 2010.

    Your blog and a few others have inspired me with the idea of starting another one for this personal project of mine.

    Thank you for being here!

    (And I also am going to have to remember the paper-under-the-fabric trick for sewing buttonholes on jersey!)

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  41. omg you are amazing! I've sent this link to my husband so he can see for himself that other people spend as much time and money on fabric and sewing..... I love them all, especially 11 and 12, but 9 is also such a fun and flirty dress too and you look really happy in it. Ok, so the votes are in, you're going to have to 'fess up as to which is your favourite now!

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  42. Wonderful dresses, one and all, and you look beautiful in them! Congratulations on accomplishing so much. You are my hero!

    Meanwhile, I'm still staring at a basic cotton skirt that I cut out months ago but haven't sewn up yet. In my defense, I took up knitting recently and am working on knitted xmas gifts!

    Looking forward to seeing what comes off your sewing machine the rest of the year and into 2009!

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  43. I read your blog all the time, so I have no idea how I missed the color block dress, but I adore it! Great look! (Must copy.)

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