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Monday, August 06, 2007

A Few Photos - Part 2

The red & black polka dot dress was made from OOP Vogue 9220. I used fabric that I stashed back when my DD's were mere toddlers. The label on the fabric said that the fabric was purchased from Cloth World. Those of us on the Eastern Seaboard of the USA, know that Cloth World was merged with Joann Fabrics at least 15 maybe 20 years ago! So this was a piece that has waited for some time to make it's world debut.

So here I am in the dress:


As I previously posted, I added the black trim because I did not want to line the dress and the pattern only comes with a lining and no facing pieces. Too get around this challenge without drafting new pattern pieces, I decided to bind the neckline. With trim I always think in "The Rule of Three"...add it three places to make the trim seem like a planned and well-thought out element. Using that theory, I also added it to the sleeve hems and the hem of the dress. In my mind, it gives the dress a beginning and an ending.

If you look at the sleeves, they have a slight bell shape to them. I would like to say that this was deliberate, but it was an after affect of lengthening the sleeve pattern. I liked the shape, so I kept it.

One more view of the dress:


I am wearing this to work tomorrow because the humidity is suppose to be worse than today (Is that possible?) and the temperature in the high 90's, maybe even tipping a 100! Hopefully I will be cool in the street but warm enough in the office and on the bus!

So what's up next? I am thinking about using the brown linen with my TNT Tamoutsu dress pattern with a line of brown mother of pearl buttons marching down the front of the dress...

But who knows...inspiration may strike, more fabric may arrive...so stay tuned!

28 comments:

  1. the red dress flares out lovely from the hips. I agree with your placement of the trim...makes the outfit look complete.

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  2. That dress is very pretty... love the A-line cut.

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  3. This goes to prove that no fabric should be left behind. =)
    I love the black trim. Works great, looks great. You look great in red. Oh, and feel free to send some of that heat to the Pacific Northwest. We're about ten degrees cooler than normal. I'm still wearing sweaters.Yuk.

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  4. Love that dress!! It looks wonderful on you!

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  5. Both the dress and the suit are gorgeous! They are stylish, fresh and you look really good in them!

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  6. That's a lovely dress Carolyn, looks great on you. Love the suit in the previous post as well.

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  7. such a cute little red dress, lol

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  8. What a great dress. That fabric is really nice and the trim was a stroke of genius. A little something that jazzes up an already cute dress!

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  9. I have to agree - the trim finishes the dress :)
    Laura

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  10. Carolyn - this dress is a winner! I fits you so nicely - it could not be more flattering on you. I cannot wait to see what you have planned next!

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  11. Love it! You'll look hot while staying cool!

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  12. It's tomorrow now and UGH, at 9 am the humidity in the NYC metro area already IS worse than it was yesterday!!

    That dress is great. Another winner!

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  13. Beautiful! That color is absolutely gorgeous on you. I also like the "rule of three" you applied for the trim. Now you can stay cool while remaining fashionable. We have that humidity here also...and I have to be outside in it for an hour wearing a furry animal costume :-)

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  14. Absolutely beautiful! Love the dress with the black trim and your new jacket and pants! You have a wonderful talent!

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  15. Both outfits are great. They look like they will keep you very cool and very office looking at the same time. Let's hope that you get to stay cool most of all. That NE humidity can be so nasty!

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  16. You look wonderful in your new outfits!

    I have to thank you for the memories, now. I do remember Cloth World. I remember many, many, trips to Cloth World as a child and the outfits that my mother sewed from the fabric she bought. I distinctly remember her matching thread - unwinding several colors from the spools to see which would match perfectly. I also remember very clearly the bridal/special ocassion fabric section. It was fairly good sized and in the center on a platform was a mannequin dressed in the latest and greatest bridal gowns made from patterns/fabric available at Cloth World. What was really weird was that there was a Fabric King in the same plaza about 4 doors down!

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  17. The 'rule of three' worked in your favor - the trim is such a nice finishing touch!

    I remember Cloth World too! Growing up, I lived about 20 miles from the nearest one and it *had* to be a special occasion to go there. (My Mom liked the Fabric King better) When I started driving I was a regular at the cutting counter! I have fond memories of that place....

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  18. that is SO cute and SO flattering! I love it, and the trim really does take it to the next level.

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  19. Smart, comfortable and professional! Love, love the trim, especially in black! I just made my blog and can finally comment! I've been following you for a while, now, and love your creativity and getting behind your thinking process.

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  20. I love the dress, very elegant!! You look lovely it and I love the trim. Bonnie

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  21. I have followed your blog for some time and just love your work. The dress is just lovely on you!

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  22. Great dress with a really flattering cut. Love the polka dot fabric, too.

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  23. Great dress, and the suit is fantastic too. You are fast!

    Cara

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  24. Nice dress and I love the color!!

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  25. I love your blog, and read it often, but I've never commented. I love the red and black polka dots - such a beautiful dress. I also really love your seersucker suit. I'm jealous that I look like I'm wearing an old man's clothes when I wear seersucker - that suit looks amazing on you!!! As always, another great ensemble (well, more like ensembles in this case!)

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  26. Great dress and love the flair and black trim.

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  27. carolyn,

    very lovely. those princess lines (are they? hard to tell) look graceful on you and your smile in the bottom pic is disarming. good work! trim works great.

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  28. I love reading your blog. You put so much effort into the dialogue. All the outfits are so flattering on you. It is nice to see a non size 2 look so elegant and well put together. You set a great example for the rest of us out here struggling create a flattering look.
    MP

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