Some stats:
Pattern:
TNT dress pattern
Fabric:
From the fabric closet, I pulled a lightweight pinstripe tropical wool that I purchased from Fabric Mart during one of their 'the entire store is $1.00 per yard' sales. The sleeves and tie are made from a very lightweight silk that I purchased from Fabric Mart during the April Fabric Shopping Spree.
Notions:
22" black invisible zipper
black bemberg rayon lining
1" black lace
I loved the sleeves and the tie on the designer original. I loved that the dress was made from a pinstripe fabric which is such a corporate fabric but had the fashion forward sleeves and tie. And I realized that this dress would be very easy to make using my TNT dress pattern.
I made a few changes to make the dress suit me. First, the sleeves have the puffy sleeve cap of the original BUT I left the sleeve hems flowy and loose. This looks better on me than the banded or elasticized sleeves. I know this because I did make the sleeves with an elasticized hem and it looked like I was wearing a little girl's dress...NOT the look I was going for! *LOL*
Second, I made my tie extra long but thinner than the one the designer used. Since I'm still experiencing my own personal summers, I decided that a longer but slimmer tie would give me "the look" without all the extra fabric
around my neck.
Otherwise, this was a normal dress construction once I'd worked out the sleeve issues. I added a lining to the dress with a lace hem...you know how much I like that finish in my dresses...
...and that was it. I think I made the dress work for me and I really like it. Amazingly, so did both of my daughters!
Here are a few more pictures:
I've started work on the next dress in the Designer Inspired Series. This one involved some pattern alterations to my TNT pattern and I will share those next...
...as always, more later!
I like the pussybow on you very much. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteI love this dress on you... totally love it. The sleeve detail & narrow tie are great touches.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! You are really on a roll, your last dress was fantastic too!
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration! I love the way you are able to make other designers' ideas your own.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this. So flattering and perfect for your corporate world. What a talent you are.
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks awesome! SO fashionable and corporate. I made Lekala 5432 a couple of times now and it's suppose to have elastic at the sleeves and I skipped that. The open sleeve looks really nice.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen you in a bow, I don't think. I like it!
ReplyDeleteYou look great in this. I am so impressed by what you can do with one TNT. How many different versions are you up to now?
ReplyDeleteOh wow!!! I really love this. Love the pinstripes and pussycat bow. so very professional and so very feminine and so very flattering. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteYou could also untie the bow and do a simple knot with long tails. Love your interpretation!
ReplyDeleteThis dress looks totally different than your other versions...how neat is that?! And, it looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteI love this dress...actually, it's one of my favorites of those you've done!
ReplyDeleteThis dress looks fabulous on you. Is the tie connected to the dress? I like the way you've wrapped it and then tied it.
ReplyDeleteYou look great!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dress!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dress on you! I'm always stunned at the range of looks you pull out of your TNT patterns!
ReplyDeleteVery nice - it's a bit busier than your usual sheaths with the bow on it & that bow really makes the dress pop. Very flattering.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress! Thanks for the inspiration Carolyn. I purchased my own copy of "Make it Your Own Personalizing Patterns for Creative Design" by Lori Bottoms & Ronda Chaney for 13 cents plus shipping last night. Can't wait to add it to my sewing library.
ReplyDeleteLove love love! This look is fabulous! I love that long skinny tie on you - what a nice vertical line. The sleeves are really cute too. This may also be one of my favorite dresses on you!
ReplyDeleteI *love* this on you! If I had a TNT sheath dress pattern, I would be copying it in a NY minute.
ReplyDeleteYour dress is just lovely!!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress on you! Congratulations! Really, makes me think you need to go brief the Supreme Court of the United States. Really, adorable and lovely! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to head back into the workforce--this would be a perfect interview dress. Thank for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOne of your best dresses yet. Love it on you.
ReplyDeleteLove the blouse and the pinstripes! You are always on trend!
ReplyDeleteWonderful on you, very flattering!
ReplyDeleteWERQ!! I think it's fantastic! With this dress and the Jason Wu one, you're really upping the sex appeal of your work wardrobe (in a thoroughly work-appropriate way).
ReplyDeleteI love this look on you! I loved in on the Selfish Seamstress, too. I'm with you on the "personal summers". You inspire me to (1) get a TNT sheath perfected; (2) copy this dress!
ReplyDeleteWow! You look hot! Love this dress! :)
ReplyDeleteThis dress looks better then the original in my opinion! But also what great idea for silks or other $$$ fabric you don't have quite enough to make a shirt out of.
ReplyDeleteI love it! When you share how you changed the style to fit "you", it gives me the courage and inspiration to move beyond my sewing boundaries.
ReplyDeleteOh My that is lovely too! I really need to get me a TNT sheath pattern. Your versions are always amazing!! g
ReplyDeleteOh, it's lovely! Very stylish, yet - as you say - totally workable in a corporate environment. I need to get myself some pinstrip material!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dress.
ReplyDeletethat was quick! And it turned out really nicely. Looks very smart on you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Carolyn, another fantastic dress!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO flattering on you!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful job, Carolyn, you look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You look stunning!
ReplyDeleteGreat combo. Bow and pinstripe!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I love it! This is one of my fave Carolyn dresses, ever.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow this looks fantastic! I love how your dress turned out. You look so classy!
ReplyDeleteWow! This is such a flattering dress, I think you look amazing in it.
ReplyDeleteSo chic, I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow - another stunner. Love the tie at the front.
ReplyDeleteWow Carolyn, this dress looks awesome on you. I just love, love, love it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your version! Even though this has the base of a sheath dress you made it fantastic! This may rank in my top 5 favorites you've made.
ReplyDeleteOh I just love it! You look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSo I am trying to figure out what did this dress cost in the end with such great prices from Fabric Mart?
ReplyDeleteMaybe $10 with thread and zipper?
You look just darling and so Fall-ready!
Oh, Carolyn, I love this dress. Youthful, in style, looks great on you; what's not to love?
ReplyDeleteReally lovely on you! I can't believe how quickly you made this! And I particularly love "my own personal summer" comment!
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful. Your Designer Interpretations are always an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteVery smart & professional with a touch of woo hoo. Love it!
ReplyDeleteKathy in Oz
I like your version better than the original. That original bow was just way to much fabric!
ReplyDeleteLove! Fab idea to use sleeves and neck tie to suggest a blouse underneath.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - your new dress is so stylish, and way classier than the designer model you took for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThe soft, gentle silk sleeves and neckline with a classy bow together with classic finely pin-striped wool (and a light lining for comfort - trimmed with lace!).
This granddaughter of a bespoke tailoress is in awe of your pattern shaping and cutting, and your fine sewing,
I found you blog thanks to lovely Gaylen, sending you care and gentle huggles from downunder,
Michelle in Wellington, New Zealand
very nice and very professional. Looks like it came right out a very expensive shop!
ReplyDeleteAnother great look from the TNT patterns! Really great job making that look your own.
ReplyDeleteVery nice dress Carolyn!
ReplyDeletelove the dress! You've inspired me to create my own version.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great dress! I love the lace on the hem - nice touch. You'll get a lot of mileage out of this outfit. Aren't Sewcations great?
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress. I love to see one design on different body types. Love it on you. This style suits you so well. It looks professional and stylish at the same time. Well one!
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast in this dress, not only in color but in fabric type--menswear pinstripe with a ladylike silk. Good choices all around.
ReplyDelete