Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Versace Inspired - Some Construction Pictures

Yesterday evening I got the dress shell and lining completed and I tried the dress on (minus the lining) and if I could have leapt for joy I would have! *LOL*  I'm very pleased (and that's showing some restraint) with how the dress looks on me...so much so that I almost finished the dress using a tan piping in the neckline.  But I just couldn't decide...so let me share a pic with you:


I would love to do something a little different at the neckline and the sleeve hems...giving the dress a little funkiness that my corporatized version lacks.  I know that the navy blue piping would work with the dress especially if I wear it with a double strand pearl necklace.  I would be corporate perfect.  But...the tan would be more me...y'know what I mean...trendy corporate! *LOL*  So let me know what you think?  Beige or navy blue?

And for hanging in there with me...believing in me...thinking I have some sewing skillz and generally cheering me on...here are a few pics of Lulu wearing the dress with the piping basted on and the lining pinned in.

Front view


Side view with the circle


Back view


Other side

All of the pictures have been lightened so
that you can see the details!

I am very encouraged and happy with how the dress is turning out.  It will definitely be finished during the weekend, so look for an update and pics of me wearing it then. 

...more later!

25 comments:

  1. Carolyn, I love it!!!You truly did a great job of taking your vision and turning it into a reality. For me I would go with the blue piping-that's me, I am still a little too matchy-matchy. I think the tan may distract from the true elements of the dress which is the fabric textures and unique design features. Having said all of that, the wearer has to feel comfortable with the garment and it should go with their personality and wearing preferences. Whatever you choose, I am truly impressed with your corporatized dress!!!

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  2. I didn't like the tan at first, but looking at it more, I think you're right that a contrast piping would really make the dress pop. Here's my thought: could you find a darker tan? Like more of a camel color than tan? To me, the current color is too light for the navy. Just IMHO!

    Amazing job on having a vision, and bringing it to design fruition.

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  3. Fantastic job, Carolyn. I like the idea of the contrast piping but agree with A Sewn Wardrobe, a bit darker. I also wondered about red piping, really pops.

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  4. Carolyn, this dress is amazing! Great job on pattern drafting. For the piping, I would suggest making your own piping out of the lace. So elegant!

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  5. If it were my dress, I'd go with the matching piping, since there's no tan anywhere else. And I really like Juliane's idea of using the lace for piping. I had that same thought, but she's a bit quicker on the commenting today!

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  6. Carolyn, very creative and beautiful. I need some of your creativity! As for the piping, I like the tan, but then what do I know. I'm sure it will be great no matter what you decide. You will make sure to take a picture of it on you...pleeze.

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  7. It's looking fabulous, Carolyn! I agree that a darker camel piping, or a red, could be very cool!

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  8. I'd go with the navy piping. I'd personally feel limited with any sort of tan piping. You can amp up the look with accessories. You can go all classic with the pearls or find a funky pin and shoes to set off the dress and be a bit more chic and trendy rather than classic and reserved.

    I'm also not sure how the tan would read on your skintone - would it fade out or be a weird lighter stripe around your neck and arms? Not sure exactly - I'm glow-in-the-dark winter New England white! LOL.

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  9. I would go with the navy. However, it could be interesting to use a different texture, perhaps a faille or even something with a subtle shine. This is a dress about textures and I think the addition of the different texture in the same blue would add unity to the completed design. I think if the piping is to work it would have to be in more than one place, armholes, belt edges, or something where the design element gets repeated. You certainly will have a great dress here when completed, whatever you decide.

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  10. I am sure that whichever you choose it will be great. Me, I would prefer the navy,or.......perhaps navy and tan poke-a-dots or navy and tan stripe. Just a thought, but I am loving it.

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  11. WoW Carolyn... you definitely have skillz. Love it and would go with the navy piping.

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  12. what about making piping from the lace? have you anything shiny to put under it and around the cording to provide a tiny pop of contrast without the cording twists showing through?

    Oh now I see I'm not the only one to think of this!

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  13. What was it that attracted you to the original dress? Will the addition of a completely different color distract from the great elements of this dress? What do you want to be the focus of this dress? If it's the neckline, then do it. Otherwise, I'd vote for some sort of navy piping. I think you have several excellent suggestions already.

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  14. You've really got that design underway.

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  15. I think it is a lovely interpretation of the dress. However, I am sorry, but I do not think piping is very Versace or contemporary. With the two different fabrics/textures and the circle cut outs, a simple clean finish would look stylish and leave you with more accessory options.

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  16. Hi,
    Thanks for the blog. You are a real inspiration to plus sized sewers!

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  17. Can't wait to see the finished product!

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  18. I am so impressed with your sewing skills and the ability to take a vision and go for it. What a beautiful dress. I like the tan piping but think the navy would make the dress more versatile.

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  19. So impressive and inspiring! I agree with another poster that finishing the neckline without any piping may keep in the Versace style.

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  20. Amazing dress so far. Love your version of the dress. For the piping, i would prefer matching piping. So you have more possibilities to style this dress. I can see it with red accessoires as well, which IMO wouldn't work with the tan piping.

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  21. That's a super dress. I like the blue piping, though. Seems like keeping it all blue is more elegant. But whichever you choose, it will still be an awesome dress.

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  22. Navy piping for sure. Love this dress, girl.

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  23. Dress looks wonderful. I would go either with a navy piping or a lace piping. Keep it simple that way you can do more with it.

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  24. No one goes for funky more than I do, but I'm reminded of the comment a PR member who really works the funky and edgy pattern. She said one unique and distinctive element is good, more than one----detracts. I'm thinking pearls would do the job (flattering your face) as well as the piping and you have proper evening/party attire by just swapping the pearls for the diamond necklace! I think the beige draws attention from the lace detail. I vote for navy.
    can't believe it, but i do.

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  25. Hello Carolyn, for some time now i am reading your blog with much fun. I love to follow your adventures on sewing and all that you are writing about. I'm not much of a commentor, by the way.
    However, i wanted to let you know that i awarded you with the "Liebster Blog" Award. I leave it up to you to decide if you want to pass it on or not.
    Greetings from Alice from The Netherlands

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