Sunday, September 12, 2010

Black, White & Red ~ Totally Work Ready!

It's Sunday afternoon and I've finally gotten the pictures taken of the last two dresses.  I have to admit that I was slow rolling with the Burda WOF dress...it just seemed to take me forever to get motivated to cut out and sew in the lining, add the sleeves and hem the thing.  But it's done and on Day 9 or the last day of my vacation, I find that I have no desire left to sew.  In all honesty, that started to occur about mid-afternoon yesterday!

You want pictures, dontcha, well that's for the few that haven't already scrolled ahead to see both dresses! *LOL*  Let's start with the Macy's Color Blocked Dress:


Some stats:
Pattern:
TNT dress pattern cut to reflect the color blocking of the original dress

Fabric:
1.5 yards black doubleknit purchased from Metro Textiles
.5 yard red doubleknit purchased from Metro Textiles
.25 yard beige/nude Sophia knit purchased from fabric.com

Notions:
22" invisible zipper
3 yards black knit bias binding

Some additional information:
Originally, I was going to add short sleeves to this dress.  But after letting it hang overnight, I decided to keep it true to the original inspiration photo.  Since I did not plan to line the dress, I added black knit bias binding to the armholes and the neckline.

Due to the fabric, this dress hangs a little closer to my body than my original TNT dress does.  My DD thinks it looks good this way, and you know me...I like the illusion of close-fitting, not a dress that is actually close-fitting!  So I will probably wear it with a black doubleknit Burda cardigan that I made about five years ago.


I am very happy with how the dress turned out.  It was relatively simple to duplicate and even though the dress can be purchased (and in a plus size too) it was fun to make this journey.

One more shot...



Next up is the Burda 09-2005-115 Dress


This dress was a lot of pattern work!  The actual sewing was simple but...well we all know how I feel about tracing patterns, so let's not rehash that, okay! *LOL*  We took a lot of pictures but it's really hard to get those seamlines upclose on my point and shoot...and this just emphasizes my thoughts when I was making the dress...that the seaming is so subtle, you will need to be right up on me to actually see it.  However, it was an interesting sewing challenge to grade the pattern pieces from a size 36-44 up to my size which is a Burda 50/52.

Stats:
Pattern:
My TNT dress pattern was the starting point along with the pattern pieces from the Sept. 2005 issue of Burda World of Fashion.  This was a hand-in-hand partnership.  There would be no finished dress without either pattern.

Fabric:
2 yards of raspberry light-midweight doubleknit fabric purchased from fabric.com
2 yards of raisin lining fabric from the collection

Notions:
22" invisible zipper

Additional construction information:
I did add the short sleeves to this dress.  I used the sleeve pattern from my TNT dress cutting it with a center seamline and leaving a 3" opening at the bottom to add a little interest to the sleeve.  I also topstitched both sides of the sleeve and the hem.


I added the sleeves because I want to be able to wear the dress either alone or with a cardigan. 


Like the original pattern, this dress is lined but only the body of the dress not the sleeves.  It's a really pretty dress and works well with the last Burda cardigan that I made.  It will work with quite a few other cardigans and jackets in my wardrobe, too.

Here's a photo of everything I made during my sewcation:


3 dresses, 1 top, 1 cardigan and a pair of pants.  Not as much as last year but then this time I wasn't going for quantity, I was sewing what interested me.  All pictures can be seen here.  There does appear to be a theme to these pieces, that was totally unintended.  Black, white & red ~ totally work ready!

Melissa had this question:
"Where do you get your tracing paper? The last batch I got from Nancy's Notions and it's thicker/heavier than I would like, especially for fitting."

The tracing paper is from Dick Blick.  I bought it upon Ann's recommendation.  Follow the link's on her post and you can order some too.  I bought two rolls of the tracing paper and boy am I glad that I did.  I went through a lot of it this week and it was wonderful to use.

One last piece of business and I'm out to veg on the couch and watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy on TNT...Denise who authors the blog, The Blue Gardenia, is doing a sewing book giveaway.  Surf over and see which one of her favorite bloggers book she is giving away!

Well that's it for me...hope you made it this far!  Cause I have a parting shot to share...me and The Little Prince who will be 18 months old this week!


...as always, more later!

83 comments:

  1. The red dress is gorgeous on you! And that baby is a doll...

    I'm so impressed by how much you manage to sew in a short frame of time.

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  2. Love that you left the colour-blocked dress sleeveless! Looks like a fun and fruitful sew-cation.

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  3. I am drooling over both dresses. The color block is figure flattering and red really looks great on you.

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  4. Both dresses look AMAZING!!!!! I love them both.

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  5. wow, Wow and WOW!!!! My absolute fave is the color block dress. What an impact. The way you topstitched the red dress' sleeves was sooo cool. I love your dresses. You accomplished way more than I ever could in a week. Kudos. Now which dress are you wearing tomorrow?

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  6. Both dresses look great on you, but I especially LOVE the color blocked one! And, tell me, HOW do you sew so much with a little one!? I gave up sewing when mine were that age.

    He is a cutie. :)

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  7. Everything looks just great especially the color block. I may have to look into doing something like it.

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  8. Wow, Carolyn, that color-blocked dress is FANTASTIC on you! Very flattering (and I agree with your daughter about the fit!). The raspberry is quite nice too. You were quite productive on your sewcation. But you always are - even when YOU think you aren't. ;-)

    And the LP is a tall boy, isn't he? He looks so much bigger than 18 mos., and very cute!

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  9. Both dresses look great! I love the colorblocked dress the most! It is so fabulous!

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  10. I love both dresses on you but the Macy's dress is really WOW!

    Of course, we always love seeing pics of the Little Prince - he's so adorable!

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  11. Another wow....I love both dresses, esp. the colorblock one. It is VERY flattering on you. You make the best looking career clothing of any blog I follow. I want to be you when I grow up!!!

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  12. Like both of the dresses! Love, love the color-blocked one. It is a real flattering fit, listen to your daughter! Love the Burda dress as well and like the way you did the sleeves.

    Cute little prince!

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  13. Looks like you got lots accomplished during your vacation. You've earned some time on the couch watching TV.

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  14. Your handsome Prince has a wonderful smile, very much like yours. The dresses are beautiful and the color-blocked one is just amazing.

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  15. You look fabulous in both dresses, but the color blocked dress is a real standout! Beautiful!!

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  16. It's funny how everything you sew, turns in to a perfect wardrobe. I love both your adventures in seaming this time. Sorry the sewcation is over though.

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  17. Both dresses are knock outs, but you *own* that shade of red that you used for the Burda dress. Great job!

    I always look forward to your sewing vacations, because you are generous to share your experiences. Thank you! :)

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  18. The color-block dress is smashing! And what a cute little prince he is.

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  19. Love the color block dress and the red dress, in fact i love all the pieces. The color block dress is awesome...

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  20. You certainly planned your work and worked your plan. This years vacay work capsule is interesting, and quite work ready. I love both your dresses; the Macy's color blocked on the most, but that is probably because interesting design lines of the raspberry dress can't be seen in the pictures. I know what you mean about tracing - I spent the entire evening tracing Lady Gray.

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  21. You did a lot of beautiful pieces. The color block dress is eye-catching. Looks wonderful on you.

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  22. The dresses look gorgeous on you. Great job on your sewcation and your dgs is darling

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  23. Nice work, cute babe - I looooove the colour-blocked dress, and the details on the red one. Well done indeed.

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  24. Both dresses are great! The red one's subtle details are really nice. And the colour blocked one is just too cool!

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  25. Those dresses are beautiful, and so is the baby! He's growing up so fast!

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  26. OMGosh! The Little Prince is such a doll!

    Thank you so much for the tracing paper link. You know I went straight out and ordered 2 rolls *GRIN*

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  27. Love both of them!! Great fit. Beautiful picture of you and the little prince.

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  28. OMG - Carolyn, that color-block is the BEST dress you have made thus far, and that's a high compliment!!!!!!!! It's almost as gorgeous as the Little Prince.

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  29. Fantastic job on your color blocked dress!!

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  30. I love the colour block dress and your daughter is right, it looks fantastic on you. I love your red dress, too. The sleeve variation is a lovely touch.

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  31. That is really a fantastic dress (you know which one). It looks wonderful on you too!

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  32. You look fabulous in both dress, but I have to say that your color-blocked version of your TNT pattern is a SMASH. You look phenomenal in this!

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  33. That color blocked dress is a total wow piece! Both dresses look great on you. I can't believe our sewcation is over already.

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  34. Hello Ms. Carolyn, the Macy's Color Blocked Dress is simply gorgeous on you. You need to make this in a Red, White and Blue combo and any other trio of colors you like.

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  35. Both dresses ook fantastic on you, you had a very productive sewcation!

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  36. I've been reading your blog for some time now but this is my first time commenting,
    your knock off is AWESOME!

    It is so flattering to the womanly form and I love how it draws my attention to what a bodacious lady you are.

    Keep up the good work and I hope to be starting my own blog soon so we can share.

    CHEERS!

    Danielle

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  37. I have to agree with many other posters - that colour blocked dress is absolutely awesome & you look GREAT in it! (As always, beautiful sewing on all of it.) You should make the raspberry one in another colour with contrast topstitching or colour blocking - after all that tracing you could get another fab dress that shows off the lines differently.

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  38. I had to click through from Bloglines to comment on the color blocked dress...girlfriend, you knocked (off) that one outta the PARK!!! It looks fantastic on the hanger and even better on you!
    I'm trying hard not to be jealous of a sew-cation...I want one... ;)
    Thanks for sharing the week and the inspiration!

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  39. that color block dress look fabulous on you. Close-fitting and so flattering!

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  40. Absolutely love the colour block dress on you. You may have a few imitators out here in blogland.

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  41. Carolyn,first of all, your little prince is so sweet looking and cute!!
    And about that colour block dress. It's to die for and it looks smashing on you.I have to make me one.I'm so inspired. The red dress is lovely too and I really like what you did with the sleeves.

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  42. Wow, you are productive! I like all of it but the colour-blocked dress the best.

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  43. Beautiful dresses! The color-block dress is absolutely stunning and the raspberry one is wonderful! Your little prince is so handsome!

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  44. The colour block dress is stunning - it looks fabulous.

    One day when my kids are a bit older I dream of having sewcation like this. How wonderful to be able to make a whole bunch of clothes in a short space of time.

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  45. Everything is gorgeous, but the Macy dress is spectacular. As is the Little Prince.

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  46. the Macy's dress is spectacular!

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  47. Fierce!!!!! Love the color block.

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  48. that color block dress is fabulous, so well done, I love it

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  49. I love the color blocked dress, it's gorgeous and very flattering. I think it would be a shame if you always put a cardigan on top! It doesn't look tight at all, imo.

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  50. You look fantastic in the color block knock off it's adorable. I blew up the red dress 400% and could see all the seaming detail. Amazing.

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  51. I am so impressed with the work you did on the Macy's dress, it turned out great and I like the fit on you. The doubleknit dress also has a wonderful fit and great color for you, even if the details are hard to see I think they add nice shaping.

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  52. Everything turned out wonderfully. What type of lining did you use for the red dress? I'm not sure what to use when lining doubleknit.

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  53. Wow, just WOW! The color-block dress is smashing on you--great work. You really are an inspiration.

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  54. Oh! Beautiful dress overload! I may never recover! I love them both to bits. And I want them badly.

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  55. I am totally lovin' your new red, black and white collection!!! It's a capsule wardrobe that means you're ready to go anywhere. What a beautifully co-ordinated, beautifully made set of outfits. Amazing!

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  56. I am totally jealous. I love the color-blocked dess!

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  57. LOVE the color block dress. And I think red is your color. What a great sewcation!

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  58. Your colorblocked dress is so much like the original RTW version that I'm simply amazed. Bravo!

    Love that cardigan, too. I think it'd look awesome w/ jeans for the weekend.

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  59. You had a very productive sewcation. I especially love the two dresses because my favorite color is red. I like how the design of the color block dress can be partially seen under the cardigan. It makes me want to take a second look. The little man is so handsome! I bet he is fun to have around.

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  60. C - I absolutely love love love the color blocked dress! But the pic with the Little Prince is most precious.

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  61. What a great job - the colorblock is my fav, well except for that cute grandson of yours!

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  62. Your two dresses are stunning!

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  63. Your dresses are fabulous. I especially love the Macy's dress. The red dress has lovely seaming, but I could only see it in the close up shot. Both are chicly flattering.

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  64. I am loving the color block dress! Aww look at little (big) prince!

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  65. Love both dresses!!! and the Prince awww he is adorable as well!!!

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  66. The color block dress is so flattering! You should make it again in a different colorway. What a lovely sewcation you had!

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  67. Everything turned out so well! The raspberry dress almost looks like it was made of wool... very pretty! and I really like the sleeve detail, although it would have been neat to see it on the model.... oh well.... hard to get good help! Lol... Your little grandson sure is growing up! Hard to believe they do that so quickly isn't it? Hope that your sewcation was as much enjoyment for you as it was for us to see!

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  68. Carolyn, here's Gayle King wearing the inspiration dress:

    http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h164/ybfchic/SEPTEMBER%202010/essencegaylesolo.jpg

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  69. Work it, Girl! Two fabulous dresses. I agree with your DD the color block dress does appear to fit closer to your body and it's very flattering.

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  70. Wow, I am totally impressed at your new mini wardrobe! Everything looks great on you and that color palette is fantastic!

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  71. Thank you so much for the mention, Carolyn!

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  72. Oh your grandson is adorable!

    You always make beautiful garments and I have to say the color block is gorgeous and you look absolutely amazing. It is so very flattering.
    You did an awesome job on your black, white and red wardrobe!

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  73. Both dresses are truly amazing. I love the color blocking on the first dress. Colors and layout is very flattering!

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  74. I like your version better than the manufactured version--wonderful!

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  75. Gorgeous. You look absolutely stunning in those dresses. Very beautiful!

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  76. WOW. Love both. As always, perfect fitting, top quality construction.

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  77. I like the color block dress better on you than Gayle. Am I being catty? Great job, Carolyn!

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  78. AMAZING!!! Both dresses look like a million Dolars!

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  79. Like everyone else has said, both of those dresses are such winners!! You did amazing work, as always.

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