Sunday, October 18, 2009

Variation on a theme

I've decided that I only make one thing...dresses...and I typically make a dress using my TNT pattern.  Even though I'm beginning to think that Summerset is correct when she calls my TNT pattern a sloper because I'm forever making it do tricks.

So this weekend's trick is a variation on a theme.  It is similar to my "Dreaming of Spring Dress."  In that it has that middle waistband piece.  This version, however, has the bodice lengthened by 2 inches.  I'm a little tired of the empire waist look and wanted a band that hit more at my "natural" waistline.

There are presently quite a few dresses being shown in RTW with this waist interest. 


Close-up of Banana Republic Dress




Banana Republic Dress



Coldwater Creek Brocade Dress

There is even a new Simplicity pattern that has this very waistline detail - although it doesn't come in true plus sizes...which *sigh* I just don't get.  I mean if I can alter a pattern to fit me using this design, why can't true patternmakers! *sigh*



I've spent the afternoon working on my latest dress from this boucle fabric:



...which I purchased from Fabric Mart at least 5 or 6 years ago.  Wendy took a piece of this home with her to make a skirt, leaving the rest for me and bringing it back to my attention.

Here is a pic of the band being made.  I knew that I wanted it to be embellished so after digging around in the trim drawer, I found two pieces that I thought would work.





Finally a pic of the embellished band attached to the bodice:




I stopped for a dinner break and decided to post an update before heading back to my sewing area to finish constructing the dress.

More later...

28 comments:

  1. Oooooooh, it's lovely! Keep going . . . you're definitely on the right track@

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  2. Yes, I agree. It's going to look fabulous.

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  3. The trim is going to make that dress sing!

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  4. Can't wait. It looks fab already. :)

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  5. Very interesting... Can't wait!

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  6. Ooh, Carolyn, I'm loving this! I loved that fabric when I saw it.

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  7. I love the fabric and trim. It is looking fantastic so far. I can't wait to see the finished garment.

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  8. This is looking fantastic.

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  9. I love how this dress is coming along. The fabric is really nice and the embellishment on the band is great. I can't wait to see this dress finished.

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  10. I love the embellishment. I can hardly wait to see the finished dress.

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  11. That is a great dress design. I love the waisted style.

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  12. Oh, Carolyn, you're really outdoing yourself on this dress! I'm inspired to go hunting for some fabulous trim for something similar. I really can't wait to see yours done.

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  13. This is very pretty.. I can't wait to see it when it's completed.

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  14. This is so pretty! I think boucle is such a neat fabric, I love the way it drapes. If you're interested in dresses with midriff detail, maybe check out this Simplicity, which has a very cute rounded midriff detail on it: http://www.simplicity.com/p-1537-misses-special-occasion-dresses.aspx
    I don't think it's available in plus either, because Simplicity is kind of weird like that, but it is really adorable, and I think it kind of looks like the Bananna Republic dress.

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  15. The fabric looks really nice - i love that it's a warm tone without being too bright. Perfect for fall. And the trim looks beautiful!

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  16. I agree that it is looking fabulous so far. I can't wait to see it.

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  17. You have such a good eye for finding the perfect trim - this one is lovely, just right. I think this dress is going to be beautiful...

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  18. Wow. How beautiful. Great job!

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  19. It's going to be beautiful. I have a question regarding pattern buying - since you sew mostly dresses and jackets, do you ever buy patterns that are something that you wouldn't wear, but have an interesting detail that you would love to use, just to see how it was done, and use that on your TNT patterns, or do you keep a picture or sketch and work it out yourself? I'm thinking about more complex seaming details, such as some of the recent Ralph Rucci patterns for Vogue, or folded trim details, etc.

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  20. carolyn, I just bought that simplicity pattern after determining that i look much better in a dress with a defined waist. A sheath without a waist just makes me look wide. I guess it the wide top and wide hip that do it. I can't wait to get started on it! Thanks for the inspiration

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  21. Well, so far so good! We are all on "pins and needles"!

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  22. You tortuous woman, you!!! ;)
    I'm dying to see the next step!!!

    It's beautiful! And you are inspiring me!

    (I also LOVE that you had the trim in your stash!)

    Brenda

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  23. What a great seasonal piece! I can't wait to see how it comes out.

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  24. This fabric is lovely and I really like the trim detail.

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  25. This is going to be another great creation. Love the trim on the waistband piece.

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  26. Lookin' good. I love the color.

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  27. My boucle for my Chanel jacket looks very similar! It might be the same!!

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