Dress Number 42 - Completed

As evidenced by Saturday's post, I spent a considerable amount of time going through the stuff in my Sewing Studio/Bedroom this weekend.  I'm doing it section by section so that the task doesn't overwhelm me.  Because of that, I didn't start to work on Dress Number 42 until late last night.

Here I am wearing it at work:

And here is a close-up of the neckline view:

Of course you'd like some info on the dress, right?

Fabric:
2 yards of a midwt tropical plaid embroidered wool from Emmaonesock
1/2 yard of black wool crepe from Fabric Mart
(both of these pieces were from the collection)

Notions:
3 - 1" floral mother of pearl buttons from the collection
22" black invisible zipper
3 yards black rayon hem tape

Construction:

1.  The dress is unlined.  I hemmed and hawwed about that and finally decided that the dress did not need a lining...wearing the dress with a slip would be fine, so that's what I did.

2.  The dress' neckline is faced with the same bands on the front of the dress.  I just cut a second set from the wool crepe, machine stitched them on and then hand stitched down the edges inside the dress.

3.  The sleeves are cut with a center seam.  Then machine stitched leaving a 2" opening to allow the band to be sewn on. 

4.  The band is comprised of two pieces.  Stitched together at the hem and around the curves, leaving the top open.  Then the top is stitched to the bottom of the sleeve and the seam allowance is hand stitched down enclosing the seam.  Finally the button is attached and I added a few hand stitches to the back side of the band so that it would lie flat.

Comments:

It wasn't a difficult dress to construct.  The base fabric plus the black wool crepe and the flower buttons is what makes the dress sing.  I think those details are what I appreciate most about the dress and the fact that the plaids match everywhere...even at the sleeve and bodice join.  It was so worth the extra time spent cutting it out to get that plaid match to work.

I didn't finish the dress until early this morning.  I just couldn't get motivated to sew.  I'm sure it has to do with the remodel, my mind is so focused on that and its process.  Also since it isn't that chilly outside, I don't feel the need to sew.  I have plenty of pretty dresses (an understatement right?!) to wear that I'm good for now.

One last shot:

Next up is the suit for the AG doll.  My sister and niece finally picked a piece of fabric yesterday afternoon.  So I will work on that a little tonight before Dancing with the Stars!

...as always, more later!