Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Tri-Color Ponte Dress Final

In the week's time between cutting out the fabric and stitching it together, I realized that I did not like the color combination I was using.  I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the combo except that it didn't pop for me.  So I changed it up a little, resulting in this dress ~



Now this dress has a lot of color and not what I normally wear to work. However, how many black dresses can I own? This dress also has a tighter fit and a slimmer silhouette due to the seaming and my fabric choices. 

There are no new sewing techniques in this dress.  Yet another reason for sewing a TNT dress - no fitting challenges and no sewing surprises.  It is also an exercise in lazy sewing. Originally I was going to add a lining...once I was actually sewing the dress...nope didn't want one.  I considered adding fusible interfacing to the center back seam for the zipper...nope didn't add any...and the dress turned out okay. Turned down the neckline seam and the hemlines at the sleeve and dress hem, added some stitch witchery in the hems and topstitched them down.

See sometimes I just want to sew up a cute dress.  I don't want to get involved...lose myself in construction details...sew, rip and sew again. Sometimes I just want to sew a cute a dress and that's just what this dress is.  

So some stats...
Pattern ~
TNT dress pattern altered from an already altered version of the pattern.

Fabric ~
Berry ponte from Fabric Mart
Black ponte from Fabric Mart
Black & White print ponte from Fabric Mart

Notions ~
22" berry invisible zipper

Here is the inspiration dress again ~



Besides the color and print changes, the designer original sells for $995. It's made from a 53% wool/47% rayon blend and is unlined. My version is from rayon/lycra ponte blends and costs about $20. Approximately $18 for the fabric and about a $1 for the zipper all from The Sewing Cave.  In my book this was a very successful interpretation of the designer garment.

A few more pictures of the dress ~




I know we say all the time that we shouldn't point out the faults in our garments, but I'm so-so on the sleeves.  They could be better...but since this is lazy sewing...they are okay...and I will wear the dress as is.  What's really interesting is that everyone who saw me in the dress said how pretty it was. I really think the color combo is so striking that it's what you notice the most.

Next on the cutting table is McCalls 6988.  



I have two versions planned - the one discussed here and another one that I want to try with some knits first.  These are involved sews so it will be a minute before the finished garments appear on the blog.

...as always more later!




71 comments:

  1. Oh yes. That color is so warm and perfection on you! It is a fantastic designer interpretation.

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  2. I quite like the shape on you :)

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  3. Once again, you are magnificent! Love your style! Color blocking rocks!

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  4. This really looks fantastic on you!

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  5. Your dress is much happier and prettier than the inspiration dress. The slimmer look suits you too.

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  6. Fabulous color combination. I'm going to have to give the Fabric Mart Ponte another look!

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  7. Your colors are prettier than the inspiration dress! Love it!!!

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  8. You just can't beat a bargain designer dress. You knock off is great. Love the colours and contrast.

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  9. This is gorgeous. You really suit that hot pink and the colour is glorious. I love your version of this dress and it fits beautifully. Wonder how much the inspiraton dress costs to maufacture? x

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  10. This shade of pink is outstanding on you! And changing it up with the slimming, tri-color front was a genius idea. The final dress is so happy, happy! Black is easy, always proper, but bright colors are necessary for the soul, in my book. You do them so well, and your smile of pure happiness when wearing them is so wonderful to see. Creative Hormone Rush

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  11. Wow. This is stunning, Carolyn. I love that berry ponte with the more subdued blacks. Gorgeous! Also, not to get too personal, but your curves look amazing in this silhouette. I always love your TNT sheath dresses, but the slimmer cut is just as beautiful. Love it!

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  12. I'm a huge fan of berry myself and you prove once again that you don't need the latest new shiny pattern to make a dress that is super trendy! I also prefer your stripes to the designer stripes, those seem all over the place

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  13. This shade of pink is outstanding on you! And changing it up with the slimming, tri-color front was a genius idea. The final dress is so happy, happy! Black is easy, always proper, but bright colors are necessary for the soul, in my book. You do them so well, and your smile of pure happiness when wearing them is so wonderful to see. Creative Hormone Rush

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  14. Love it!
    -Sewingelle

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  15. The addition of that bright color really pops this design. Another great dress, Carolyn.

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  16. I love your version of the dress. The colours are great and the silhouette is very flattering. Can't wait to see what you do with the next pattern.

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  17. I think this is on of my favourites on you. The pink is brilliant, a fabulous foil to a pair of very nice fabrics.

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  18. Yessssss! This is perfect.

    And count me in as needing lazy sewing sometimes!

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  19. Oh, love that berry coloured and print together. It is lovely!

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  20. Gorgeous! The berry looks so pretty on you.

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  21. That berry colour is wonderful on you! I much prefer your interpretation to the original (not to mention the price difference!) I think this might be my new favourite!

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  22. You need to incorporate more of that color combination into your wardrobe for sure- it looks amazing on you!

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  23. I love the color combination & the fit is very flattering.

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  24. Just beautiful! Even better that you didn't stress about it, just sewed it up!

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  25. This really makes me want to take some of my leftover fabric and make a color-blocked Coco dress!! Thank you for the inspiration :)

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  26. Carolyn, this dress is gorgeous!!! This color combination is so flattering on you, and I have to say I like the more fitted design. I think this is my favorite dress you have made this year. Though my all time favorite is your faux leather and ponte black dress!

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  27. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! This turned out just fabulous and yes...that color combination pops! Very nice!

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  28. Definitely the color pops now. But I also think the slightly slimmer fit is enough of a change to make people take notice if this beautiful dress - it's very flattering on you!

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  29. Love this Carolyn! Love the fit,and the berry color ponte knit looks so awesome on you!

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  30. You look FABULOUS in that dress. YES YES!

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  31. Ab fab!! Dress is unique and beautiful.

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  32. Very pretty dress - love the color combo!

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  33. That dress is GORGEOUS!! I love the color combination.

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  34. It is beautiful. I would have never thought to put all three of the colors together!

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  35. It looks beautiful on you. Sometimes lazy sewing produces some of my most favorite garments:)

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  36. Your dress turned out beatiful and you look awesome!

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  37. I really like the slimmer silhouette on you, especially with this brighter dress. You look fabulous in it!

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  38. Such a gorgeous dress .... The fit is amazing and I love what the purple does for your colouring. A really beautiful make that looks like a designer piece. I am in awe.

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  39. Isn't it funny how people say that "you can't save money sewing anymore..." I suppose that may be true if all you ever wear is t-shirts and yoga pants from BigBoxMart, but there is a ton of savings to be had if you sew and like nice things.

    I love the colors on you. That is a great interpretation of the original. I hadn't paid attention to the sleeves until you said something, but yeah I suppose I'd have to fiddle with them just a bit. But for 'lazy sewing' it is definitely a WIN!!!

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  40. Beautiful color combo and like the slimmer silhouette.

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  41. Your dress is much nicer than the inspiration!

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  42. I really like this dress and I think that the closer fit is very flattering.

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  43. Everything about this dress is great, the colour and the fit. I think the closer fit suits you well, very flattering. I too prefer your version over the inspiration dress.

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  44. Wow - what a fabulous combination of colour and print! This dress looks fabulous on you! Do you find that the ponte pills? I made up some gorgeous cardigans/jackets last Autumn/Winter with quite expensive ponte (a poly/rayon mix @$18/m), and it pilled terribly. Perhaps it is worth paying the extra in postage to have it shipped from Fabric Mart to Canada, rather than buying locally . . . . which is a bit of a shame.

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  45. You look fabulous these colours! Your new dress is a gorgeous interpretation of your inspiration piece. :)

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  46. I like your version much better than the inspiration dress. That colour is so beautiful on you.

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  47. You look absolutely fabulous.

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  48. the fit is fabulous, I really like the slimmer line as it is so flattering and feminine. The colors are also a spot on choice. well done!

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  49. Beautiful dress and the fit is awesome.

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  50. I just love the color/print contrasts! Another successful and beautiful dress, Carolyn!

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  51. That dress is amazing, and it's amazing *on you*. You look incredible.

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  52. This dress! It looks great, I love berry colors!!!

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  53. This is truly flattering, and just stunning! I think the snugger fit is very nice, and I love, love, love the colors. This is a perfect interpretation of this dress for you, I hope you'll wear it often.

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  54. I really love this dress and am quite sure I will be copy catting this one.

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  55. Love that raspberry color. I also love the necklace you are wearing with it. Pretty dress!

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  56. this turned out really good... love it!

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  57. I want that dress, Carolyn! The necklace is perfect and the color...OMG...you should wear more of this berry! It is such a happy dress and I bet wearing it to work it makes other people want to do things your way...or just hang out with you to be cool!

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  58. This is a lovely dress, Carolyn!

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  59. This dress is gorgeous on you! And I love the bright color!! Even if it was not the most exciting or challenging project, you definitely have a winner on your hands.

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  60. Beautiful! Love the colors, print, and fit. And the necklace is perfect too!

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  61. WOW Caroline... This is a truly magnificent dress!!!! Outstanding job!

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  62. This is so beautiful on you!! I really love you in pinks! And that slightly slimmer fit is working, too!!

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  63. Love this dress! The fabric combo you chose really works great together!

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  64. nothing intelligent to say, as my jaw is on the floor. BEEEYOOTIFUL!!!

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  65. Boy you did that! It is gorgeous Carolyn, I love it.

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  66. Wow! This is so striking! LOVE the berry color on you!!!

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  67. Wow. This is amazing, Carolyn. The fit is so darn perfect. I love this dress. You look fabulous.

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  68. Amazing. This is such an amazing dress! The colour combo, the fit!!! OMG. The fit is perfect on this. You look fabulous, Carolyn!

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  69. OK..... Fourth time should be the charm.... Amazing. This is such an amazing dress! The colour combo, the fit!!! OMG. The fit is perfect on this. You look fabulous, Carolyn! Sheesh! How many times is Blogger going to eat my comments?!?!?!?!

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