This is where the dress stands now. It's missing hems, a zipper and several other finishing details. After working on it for 8 hours today and probably 8 hours yesterday...I am ready to let it sit until my next available time to sew.
The bodice:
Construction on the bodice was done using the typical sequence I normally follow when sewing my TNT dress pattern. The only technique of note was that after sewing the lining to the bodice top, clipping the curves, and edgestitching the facing...I trimmed the seam to a 1/4" to eliminate seam show through.
I also need to add that working with these fabrics has been a truly wonderful experience. I sew with wool crepe all the time since it is a personal favorite but I've rarely used the 4 ply silk crepe and the silk georgette. So not only am I pleased at how the dress is progressing, I am also very pleased with the fabrics ease of use.
Next, the bodice was attached to the band:
Last night I left the dress skirt with the fashion fabric and the lining basted together. Today, I hemmed the lining and added a piece of lace trim to the hem. I also added lace seam tape to the skirt's bottom. I am using that for the hem finish rather than the rayon seam tape I normally use.
Here is a back view of the seaming detail on the dress skirt. The dress back is basted together for this shot.
I also added ribbons to allow the dress to hang correctly on the hanger. They are basted in now and will be part of the final finishing details.
As I originally stated, I still have about another 8 hours of work to finish this up, but right now the dress looks exactly how I envisioned it and I'm very pleased. I had no intentions of wearing it until the middle of April, when the weather warmed up, so this was a good place to stop tonight before I got too tired.
I have officially ended winter sewing with this dress. This one and the next dress (the striped cotton from Metro Textiles) are definitely spring/summer garments. Someone asked if this is my Easter dress...no, it isn't. Since "The Little Prince" will only be 3 1/2 weeks old Easter weekend, we are not going to church. We're having a quiet dinner at home...this is just going to be a very pretty work dress! *LOL*
More later!
It's looking beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is gorgeous. What color shoes are you going to wear with it?
ReplyDeleteAwesome
ReplyDeleteYour idea really did come together nicely. It's beautiful! and looks fantastic on you.
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! It looks good on you. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is looking lovely. Very pretty and perfect for spring.
ReplyDeleteLove those yellows! It looks like a breath of spring--and who couldn't use a bit of that?
ReplyDeleteLooking great Carolyn!!
ReplyDeleteWow what a vision you have!! That is a beautiful and very expensive looking dress! Impressive!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I LOVE your take on the dress...much better than the "inspiration dress" (which I, too, had looked at as inspiration).
ReplyDeleteMay I steal your ideas?
Stunning, just stunning.
Can't wait to see that beauty finished.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is great! I can't wait until I have a TNT dress pattern to play with!
ReplyDeleteI have a question, though. Does underlining the wool crepe with silk and then adding a lining increase the warmth of the dress? Or is the silk organza so lightweight that it doesn't affect the warmth?
I am such a cotton and rayon girl, but the reality is that I live in a place that is chilly and damp much of the year, so it would be good to add wool and silk to my wardrobe...
Simply lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt already looks so beautiful. I love the delicate colors with the georgette, silk, and crepe. Inspired combination.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is pretty! I really love those buttery yellow colours. The finished product will be lovely. What shoes do you picture with it?
ReplyDeleteOooh, looking goooood! Can't wait to see it finished. Also looking forward to seeing the stripey dress, that fabric was great too! Inspiring as usual :-) Keep them coming please!
ReplyDeleteOoooh how nice and beautifull it turn (you are definitivly very inspiring for me)!
ReplyDeleteAnd how lowely is the little prince! (18 inch long... I remeber, my son was that long 45-46cm and now 8,5 months later he is 27,5 inch about 70cm Enjoy with your grandson and congratulationsss!).
Very pretty! The dress was elegant, the weave mixture is guessed right and many desire that already the warm time arrives for to dress
ReplyDeleteI've always like yellow - but on other people! Your dress looks beautiful - and so much like Spring!!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, it's going to be so pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThat's going to be a beautiful dress. I especially like how you use just a little bit of the flowery fabric for maximum impact, and through the use of mainly solids keep it office-appropriate at the same time.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty - I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteOh that is just gorgeous! I love the colors together and the lovely print at the waist.
ReplyDeleteIsn't sewing 4 ply silk crepe nice? I just love it as much as wool crepe, and georgette is much easier than chiffon....Oh I have to go look at your pictures again, you always give me new ideas.
It looks fantastic. Love the soft spring colors. I had my grandaughter on March 24th. You can see my beautiful princess on my daughters blog. She weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces. Her mom was hoping she would be smaller than her sister was at 9 pounds. I think she was hoping for a 6 pounder.
ReplyDeleteOoh, Carolyn, that is very pretty! Can't wait to see it finished. Very fresh and springlike. Don't let le petit prince spit up on it.
ReplyDeleteI think this will be the prettiest dress you've made yet! Lovely, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning!!! What beautiful, fabrics and work. I love it. I'm glad Mardel answered my question about working with georgette. I've been working with chiffon this past weekend and want to throw in the sewing towel. Can't wait to see this dress again!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, a very, very pretty work dress. And that's okay. I loved seeing how you made the pleated waist. This dress looks to be a bit more fitted than previous dresses and it's lovely. g
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress!
ReplyDeleteLove that built in sash!
ReplyDeleteWow. This is gorgeous! The 4-ply silk bodice looks like heaven. And the 3 fabrics are well suited to each other.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and spring like. I love the pleated waistband and the fabric color.
ReplyDeleteThis might be one of my favorites of all you've sewn. The style, fabrics, and colors are all perfect. You do such beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteKaren aka Karendee
Yeah Spring! I'm really feeling it looking at these colors. Perfect Spring office piece!
ReplyDeleteThis screams "Springtime!" Let's hope you can wear it soon!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any more of the floral fabric left? Scraps maybe? I am thinking of a hair band or a scarf. Or even a flower brooch. It is such pretty fabric. I would use every bit of it to make an accessory to wear with the dress.
ReplyDeleteIt is a winning combination.
Don't mean to burst your spring bubble...but it snowed in Buffalo today.
I can't wait to see it finished. It looks so sleek and sophisticated. You really must do tea in it. Put a ribbon of the floral on a pretty yellow hat and visit Alice's Tea Party in Manhattan. I had the best time there last week. That dress would fit in perfectly.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn it is looking so gorgeous, looking forward to a full body shot.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn I just love that pleated band, and your combo of fabrics is amazing. Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress Carolyn, it just says "Spring".
ReplyDeleteOhhhhh-nice dress. You are going to look spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWow - thanks for the peek at your gorgeous new dress. Everything about it is so appealing!
ReplyDeleteVery Spring-like, love it.
ReplyDeleteI really like your combination of fabrics in this dress!
ReplyDeleteOne day I hope to be able to turn on my sewing machine and be able create and/or recreate something wonderful but I guess sewing lessons are in order. Girl your work is beautiful.
ReplyDeletefabulous dress. u make an excellent choice of the fabrics combo!
ReplyDeleteIt is looking like a truly beuatiful dress - and I can better appreciate the creativity possible from a TNT pattern
ReplyDeleteOh! Lovely dress, Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this dress, Carolyn, you are putting a masterpiece together!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress and really love the pleated band.
ReplyDeleteI really love the color combination and the pleated band. That's a great idea to sew the georgette to the wool crepe. See, another idea to use in my sewing. I love that print as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is looking great. I have not sewn 4-ply silk crepe. I probably should give it a try. It certainly looks elegant.
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks so nice. So very spring looking.