It begged to be sewn up right then and there...no hanging out on the couch...no hanging out in the fabric closet waiting it's turn to be made up. No it demanded to be sewn last weekend. So that fabric plus this inspiration picture:
Became this:
First I need to thank Nancy Erickson for such wonderful customer service. I saw the fabric on her site, The Fashion Sewing Group, and sent her an email late (and I mean late!) Tuesday evening. She responded in like 15 minutes. We then traded a couple more emails during the day on Wednesday (which took longer than needed because I was at work and not that attentative to my fabric needs) and Thursday the fabric was winging it's way to me.
Some stats:
Pattern:
TNT Dress Pattern
Fabric:
2 yards of an acrylic/wool blend
Notions:
black ambiance rayon lining
22" black invisible zipper
3 yards 3" black lace
3 yards black trim
Construction:
The most important thing was to get the plaids to match up on such a short piece. I ordered two yards and probably should have ordered 2.5. I just hate all the extra that's left over when I do that. So, it was make it work time...with some careful cutting and plaid matching, I got the main dress pieces out of the fabric. I was happy that there was enough fabric left to make the sleeves the length I like, as well as cut the pockets on the bias ala the MK inspiration dress.
The fabric is really soft and ravelly. Not only were all the seams serge finished but the shoulder seams were sewn with a some seam tape to help stabilize them.
Fusible knit interfacing was added to the center back seam allowances so that the fabric there would be stable for the invisible zipper insertion.
And I added a black trim to the pockets and sleeve hems...ala Nancy.
When Nancy was corresponding with me...she graciously sent me a picture of the dress she made with this fabric and the accompanying article.
I "borrowed" the pocket pattern from the Vogue jacket I just cut out and placed them lower than normal on the front of the dress ala the MK inspiration dress.
All of the trim was handstitched to the pockets and sleeve hems and the entire dress is lined except for the sleeves. Of course, there is a little lace on the hem of the dress lining...
...wouldn't be my dress if it wasn't there! *smile*
One more view of the front...
...and a back view.
I know I should have been working on my jacket and I have no idea when I'm going to wear this dress since it's so darn cold here now...as well as snowy! *sigh* But it was fun to make and it's one more idea crossed off my "To Be Sewn" list!
Finally a parting shot:
Whenever a camera appears, The Little Prince needs to be in the midst of the action! His favorite word besides NO! is cheese...*LOL* Just ignore the way he's dressed...my daughter said she couldn't get him out of the shorts and it just wasn't worth the effort!
...more later!
Not simply "another dress" but another GREAT dress! Wonderful interpretation of the inspiration picture and gorgeous fabric.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress Carolyn! Very mod!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love it! And what an adorable little prince!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, that's just stunning. I love it and you look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteLovely. Lovely. Lovely. You're amazing! You just seem to churn out one dress after another with the blink of an eye.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say this dress is very you and realised that of course it is, it's your TNT! This version is gorgeous, well done for squeezing it out of your yardage.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love these chic dresses you make, and the way you take runway look and make it your own. Curious, how long does it usually take you to make a TNT lined dress?
ReplyDeleteYou naughty girl. This was a great detour not get back on track.
ReplyDeleteI really like that dress. Your version looks better on you than the model's does on her! How do you do that?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress and your pattern matching is perfect.
ReplyDeleteFantastic and wow you are fast !!!!!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I like the pockets cut on the bias and I think it looks very much like your inspiration picture.
ReplyDeleteIt take you no time at all to make a fantastic dress. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic! I love all the trims, they really make the dress go pop! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLovely new dress. I love the bias pockets - they add a bit of panache to the dress!
ReplyDeleteP.S. The Little Prince shows a real gift for pattern mixing in his outfits!
What a great dress, Carolyn. Love the plaid! The Little Prince is just growing like a weed.
ReplyDeletehahahahaa! "Somehow" this fabric arrived at your door? There's a conspiracy among UPS delivery drivers? Oh yes. You poor thing! But you certainly made the best of a bad situation, having fabric arrive like that. What a great dress!! and it looks fab on you - as usual!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, this one really struck a cord with me! It is awesome! I love the plaid, I love the trim, and it looks super good on you! Great job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic dress Carolyn, you look fabulous in it!
ReplyDeleteI love how you are able to take your inspiration picture and turn it into reality - and in such a short time!
I love it! It looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress! I really love when inspiration just strikes and you have to sew right now. It seems to me that those end up being my favorite pieces.
ReplyDeleteLove it! And it looks absolutely fantastic on you!
ReplyDeleteVery stunning dress, and very flattering!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Dress Carolyn I always look forward to reading your blog and seeing what you have sewn, it inspires me to be a better sewist!
ReplyDeleteDottie
You look great!! A very good inspired by project.
ReplyDeleteWonderful dress--and I can see it working with some of your amazing cardigans as well.
ReplyDeleteI usually just skulk here but I really have to say how absolutely lovely you look! You always achieve stylish beautiful figures and inspire me to dress well despite my size and fit issues. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
ReplyDeleteI love this dress! You wear it well. Great job!
Yep, that is definitely not a jacket, but it sure is a cute as heck dress!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic dress, Carolyn. You will really enjoy wearing it once the snow and cold are gone. You look fantastic in it, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great dress Carolyn and I am mightily impressed at your plaid matching.
ReplyDeleteFicou ótimo! O detalhe dos bolsos no viés também. Quando vi o tecido achei que ele poderia ficar meio engordativo, mas não... ao contrário, te afinou.
ReplyDeleteYou look great lady!
ReplyDeleteGreat plaid matching and perfect pairing of fabric and pattern. I love the "Little Prince" and his bright smile. His fashion sense is in the developmental stage!
ReplyDeletePerfect dress and your touches. Love the little ham in the photo.
ReplyDeleteLovely dress, my you do get things done quickly!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing dress! I got nothing finished but did manage to sew during the entire Eagles game. g
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn. This is a great dress and looks really good on you. Oh how I wish I still had a use for dresses!I love the little extras you added to make it your own.
ReplyDeleteI have to tell you that when I saw the fabric and saw the inspiration picture, I had my doubts. But this dress is fantabulous. I love the way the fabric works and the trim you chose...and how flattering it is! Your work always impresses me, but this one is Wow for me.
ReplyDeleteOh Carolyn - another great dress. I'm the same way about pants that you are with dresses so I totally understand how/why you 'stop' and make a dress! And your little prince is adorable.
ReplyDeletemarciae from SG
I've always loved that classic design of your dress. I do have what I think is a stupid newbie question, though: How do you lay out the pattern to match up the design? I can't quite envision the process. Thanks!
ReplyDeletePretty dress! I understand being excited by such a nice piece of fabric.
ReplyDeleteYour grandson is a happy little guy. As long as he's staying inside, he'll be warm enough, even in shorts! Enjoy your next blizzard; maybe you'll have too much snow to make it to the city tomorrow.
Fantastic interpretation of the inspiration piece! I just love those bias pockets and the trim.
ReplyDeleteThe dress turned out great! And "The Little Prince"... just seems like he is an individual... just like his grandma! My 3 older grand kids do the exact same thing when they see a camera! Too funny..
ReplyDeleteI can still rememeber when my grandparents brought out the camera, how the flash bulbs would leave spots in front of our eyes!
Lol.... Hope you find time for the jacket!
Wow, this dress really looks fantastic on you! You can add a longer style cardigan to take you through to cooler days. I love the pocket trim, it really adds a lovely touch. I agree with Erica, it is very mod. A pair of pointy toed flat heel white patent leather boots and a white patent leather cap would make this a perfect 60's outfit. Boy, now you've got my creative juices flowing ...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. You do such a great job. I love the fabric and you look great in the dress.
ReplyDeleteGrandson is gorgeous. Isn't it great to be a Grammy!
How do you sewing so quickly and so nicely?
Fantastic dress, Carolyn. I'm trying to remember if I bought this fabric or not. If not, I have a similar piece with which to shamelessly copy you. The L P is adorable, and you have that doting Grandmother look on your face. Priceless!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Beautiful dress...looks like you may have time for more sewing with the snow coming your way...looks like it's going to miss DC again - wanted a snow day to catch up on some sewing and knitting projects..The L.P. looks even taller than the last pic - he's gonna be taller than you by the time he starts grade school!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is awesome and the little Prince is so cute he can get away with wearing whatever he wants.
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Those lower-than-normal pockets are just great!
ReplyDelete-Sewingelle
Love it Carolyn , You are so good at interpreting your inspirations . Well done .
ReplyDeleteWow, that was quick! Looks fabulous on you :)
ReplyDeleteYour dress is terrific. Love the pockets. Thanks for the link to the Erickson site. I checked it out. It looks like so much fun . . and so much temptation, too. :) Should I subscribe and knowingly tempt myself with every newsletter, or should I build up a little stash of cash and have a buying spree? Questions, questions.
ReplyDeleteIt looks even better on you than on the model! Great dress!
ReplyDeleteLoving the dress... You look great. I would definitely wear it now, paired with a cardigan and boots and out the door.
ReplyDeleteA Beautiful Dress - Love it!
ReplyDeletelove the dress and the little prince is addorable
ReplyDeleteGreat dress. Love how you wear it. The little prince is priceless.
ReplyDeleteOh, now that's fun! Love that you were just so inspired you worked it out and got it done. That prince is a cutie!
ReplyDeleteSimply lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi, its a lovely, i love checks so much. Love your blog much - i am also a "fabric-addicted girl"...;-)
ReplyDeleteMany greetings Miriam
Really fabulous dress Carolyn! Love the story and love the results.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is so beautiful. I love the layout of the plaids on the pockets and the trim. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh, I really like it! Couldn't you add a sleek black turtleneck underneath to get more mileage out of the dress during the chilly months? I even think that would keep the mod inspiration going, too. I'd just hate for you to have such a great dress relegated to your closet for the next several months due to weather.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding, Ms. Carolyn. I'm always impressed with your sense of design and style.
ReplyDeleteBTW- The little man is as cute as a button.
I love all the dresses you make, Carolyn, but this is by far my favorite. Wonderful job, and the little prince sure is a cutie.
ReplyDeleteYou make fabulous garments and this dress is no exception! Truly GORGEOUS!
ReplyDelete