Sunday, October 07, 2012

Black and Lace

Let's start this post out by saying that I'm a fabric piggy.  We all know this.  I've shared the pictures of my fabric collection so you know that fabric is my muse. Okay now that we've re-established that fact...*LOL*...I saw this piece on a website and just had to have it.  There was no need involved in this purchase, it was ALL want!

Lace and applique border

Close up of lace border

It arrived Friday evening.  I brought it in from the garage when I got home from my Mood Dinner Date and planted it on the cutting table.  I opened it Saturday afternoon and I knew the minute I pulled it from the box that it was never going to make it to the fabric shelves!  I also knew that it needed to be made up in a simple silhouette so that the lace was emphasized.  To make it work wearable, I decided to leave the lace embellishment at the hemline.  Now I know that they are showing more lace for work gear but I've got to be careful when, where and how I wear lace to my day job.

After going back and forth over whether to make a skirt or a dress, of course a dress won out...and not any dress pattern but another version of my TNT dress.

It's raining out today and I wanted a few outside shots

Some stats:
Fabric ~
Polyester crepe with lace trim from Anna Sui

Notions ~
22" black invisible zipper

First a discussion of this fabric.  It's not one of those high quality feels like silk polyesters.  This is one of those hard-wearing, iron-like polyesters.  I'm excusing the quality of the fabric because of the embellishment.  Also because this dress won't wrinkle, it's great for days when I sit a lot...and on those days when I have several meetings...I do a lot of sitting.

I thought I would add a lining to the dress but after working with the fabric, I realized that this polyester dress doesn't need a lining for several reasons.  One, you won't be able to see through it because the fabric is medium weight with no opacity.  Two, I'm hot quite a bit of the time now, another layer of fabric will just make me hotter which means that I won't wear the dress often.  Three, a slip will work just fine underneath the dress, if I feel I need the coverage.


The only challenge I experienced in making the dress was the dress' hemline.  Why was it a challenge?  Because the lace is not attached to the dress at the selvage so to serge finish the side seams, I left the sides unattached about three inches from the hemline.  Then I hemmed the black polyester fabric about an inch from the lace's hem.  Next I trimmed the lace hem to match at the sides.  Hem is finished...not a great hem...but a workable hem.


This dress was an easy, down and dirty sew.  A lot of bang for the buck from a TNT pattern and a great embellished fabric.  Of course, this is not a part of my "The City in Winter" collection but a little detour that is good for the creative soul...and a wonderful new dress for work!  

A few more pics of the dress...

Dress back

Dress side

Dress front

Dress other side

Dress with RTW Cardigan

My next piece will be from the collection.  I thought I would work on the Vogue dress but I'm not sure...so stay tuned to see what comes out of the sewing machine next.



...as always more later!

57 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning Carolyn! Your TNT pattern is the perfect choice for this beautiful fabric and it looks gorgeous on you.

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  2. This is truly fabulous. I just did something very similar with a border print fabric I saw online, and had to have. It didn't find the shelves either. I think this will be great for work, and it will work with a light color cardigan, if you have something near the color of the lace too. Great decision!

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  3. When you posted this fabric on Instagram I immediately thought how fab it would look as your TBT dress, and it does!! Absolutely gorgeous!

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  4. That is really lovely, Carolyn!

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  5. Gorgeous fabric and beautiful dress! A winner!!

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  6. What a stunner! I can see why this fabric didn't make it to the stash. Gorgeous!

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  7. The dress is gorgeous, stunning! Wow!

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  8. What a lovely detour! Sometimes a change of pace is just the perfect thing for the moment!

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  9. This might be my favorite dress yet! So stylish!

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  10. The lace border was totally worth the effort! This dress looks fantastic!

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  11. That is amazing! I'm catching up after being gone all weekend. Love that dress! g

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  12. Isn't it great when the fabric does all the work? Your TNT was the perfect choice for the fabruc. Awesome dress1

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  13. Very nice! A lovely fabric and even lovelier dress!

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  14. This has got to be my favorite of your recent posts. It is so simple and beautiful and makes you look like a queen. I also work in a conservative workplace (library administration) so understand the need to be a bit low-key. It is absolutely gorgeous.

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  15. Fantastic dress, Carolyn! Worth the detour.

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  16. Work it!!! Another killer dress.

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  17. Lovely dress. I can see why it never made to the fabric shelves. One of those pieces that you just have to, want to, cut out, sew up and wear right away. Your TNT dress pattern was just right for the fabric.

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  18. Lovely dress! Great pattern that lets the fabric speak for itself. Hmmm, a Mood dinner then coming home to fabric from another source? People will start talking!

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  19. I love it! and it might have been a fast sew, but it sure doesn't look any less than fabulous. I bet that poly will last forever, too.
    Enjoy wearing it soon!

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  20. My goodness you have really done it this time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one more than any so far!

    PS: I love your blog!

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  21. Wow, this is so chic! I love it!

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  22. Oh i love this one. That is one special fabric for a great dress that looks wonderful on you Carolyn. And OMG! Those shoes !!!! Love them!

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  23. You've outdone yourself with this one - gorgeous!

    And I bow to your willingness to brazenly acquire fabric for the sole reason of "want". Although in the case, clearly you needed to make that fabric into a dress! ;D

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  24. Lovely dress. Just to let you know, I love that your share pictures of your fabric stash because when my husband questions the size of my stash I just show him pictures of your stash and he shuts right up.(LOL)Keep happily sewing.

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  25. I think your dress looks like it will always make you feel and look good. Beautiful fabric.

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  26. What stunning fabric - can see exactly why you ordered it instantly!!! Fantastic dress...

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  27. Absolutely stunning! Obviously, that fabric cried out to be made immediately.

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  28. I am always a sucker for lace, but this dress is so pretty! Elegant and simple, but still interesting. I love it!

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  29. Love, love, love it! Flattering, versatile and on trend. I am a sucker for boarder prints. I love everything about this dress and am taken with your shoes that have just a cheeky flash of red at the toes. Just perfect.

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  30. Oh wow, I think that's the best yet! And your standards are darn high to start with.

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  31. It's lovely. Such a simple and stunning dress and the shoes are perfection. You look gorgeous.

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  32. Ohhh, i really like this dress Carolyn.
    It's very smart and stunning and totally suits you!

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  33. I'm so drawn to lace at the moment and your dress is stunning.

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  34. You are right to let the fabric take centre stage with your TNT- the fabric is stunning . Love that you are looking at the positive side of menopause - not having to line dresses !

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  35. Awesome! I admire your sewing skills! You are a true inspiration!

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  36. That's why we love TNT patterns, you know it will work add your fabulous fabric and a gorgeous dress is the result, perfect!!

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  37. The fabric is so pretty and the styling makes it a very elegant outfit!

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  38. What a great combination of pattern and fabric. you really do have the eye for it!
    -Sewingelle

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  39. Lovely! This is a striking dress--you look so happy wearing it!

    Lynda in LV

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  40. Beautiful dress, Carolyn. Love the fabric. The dress looks great on you.

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  41. Turned out beautiful! Love it!

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  42. Killer fabric and you certainly made the most of it. Your entire wardrobe is a testimony to the power of great fabric maximized by established patterns. You inspire me.

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  43. I so love it when style and fabric are married together so perfectly! This dress looks wonderful on you, and I'm sure you'll get lots of wear out of it. Beautiful choice!

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  44. Perfection! Isn't it great to have such a great looking fabric that wears and washes like iron!

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  45. I've never seen fabric like this before, sure beats attaching all that lace by hand. I think your TNT dress is just the silhouette to show off this great fabric.

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  46. Too beautiful to put into the stash. Gorgeous.

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  47. The dress, the pearls, the shoes. Just perfect!

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  48. Beautiful. I understand exactly why this material had to find its way home to you. You have done a great job with it.

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  49. What a gorgeous interpretation, lovely!

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  50. Its lovely, Carolyn. I am ever amazed at the way you can change the look if your TNT dress with careful fabric selection! Well done!

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  51. I can totally see why you fell in love with this fabric. It's adorable. And your TNT dress frames the lace border perfectly.

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