Monday, April 02, 2012

The Rachel Dress Deux IRL

I decided that for this version of the dress I would show it to you "In Real Life."  I mean I style these dresses at home with jewelry and shoes and then only take half of that styling to work with me.  Hey when I'm crawling under a desk to look for a cable cord, I don't exactly look as great as I do when I'm posing in front of the fireplace at home!  So the next couple of garments (except for my Easter Outfit) will be taken at work to provide IRL context to the garments.




Some stats:
Fabric:
Poly/wool herringbone applique fabric from the craft store


Notions:
Black bemberg lining
22" invisible black zipper
black gimp trim
black rayon seam binding
large black snaps


Construction:
Most of the details about the dress' construction can be found in this post.  




I hand stitched black gimp trim to the front of the dress to emphasize the pockets (ala Chanel's Couture Spring 2012 line, blogged about here) and to add some interest to the front.  That horizontal line adds a demarcation line to the front and stops the dress from becoming a muddle of appliques and herringbone.  


At one point I thought I would add the gimp to the neckline and the sleeve hems...but I decided that adding the trim to the sleeve's hemline would constrict the movement of my bodacious biceps...so that idea went out the window.  Once I decided not to add it to the sleeves, there didn't seem much point to add it to the neckline. 


As I mentioned, I added short sleeves to this version so that I could wear the dress alone or with a cardigan...




...and for this one I used snaps on the pockets to keep them from gapping instead of the button and buttonhole that I added to the first dress. That's basically all of the changes that I made to this second version.  


The dress wore well at work and received quite a few compliments.  It's been a few weeks since I've worn something new so it felt good to wear something fresh from the sewing machine.  Also, one of the best things about a TNT pattern is that it fits.  I tried this on for the first time this morning when I was getting ready for work...I love a dependable pattern!  *LOL*

A few more pics:

Hands on the hip shot, of course!

Close up of neckline and necklace.
The necklace is a strand of pearls w/a flower.

Back view and at least those
appliques aren't on the top of my behind!

Hands in pocket, so you can see the surprise!

...as always, more later! 




48 comments:

  1. Carolyn - you look stunning. The dress is another stylish delight.

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  2. The fit on this is so beautiful. As I'm going through a kind of fitting nightmare, I have to say how much I admire it.

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  3. This is one of my favorites of your dresses. I really like the black outline on the pocket; it really makes the dress for me.

    Very well done!

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  4. Looking cute! The dress turn out really well. Love the black trim at the pockets.

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  5. Looks great! Love the pockets.

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  6. This dress is amazing..It looks beautiful on you.. And I love the pockets.. Happy sewing.

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  7. My dear Carolyn" You look divine!! The dress looks spectacular on you! Another home run! (Now only if the Mets could catch on to that.

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  8. Really, really love this dress, and you look absolutely lovely in it! The applique fabric is fantastic and the fit you achieve I really envy (but I keep working on that aspect :)

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  9. Carolyn, I must say I'm glad you decided to put your dress on so we could actually see how GOOD!!!! it really looks. I really love the emphasis the trim adds to it. Tell Lulu she does not look good in your dress at all and she'll have no need to borrow it since it does nothing for her at all. LOL!!!

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  10. I know you are the best dressed female in your work place.

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  11. Wow. The dress and fabric is fabulous. You must be pleased as Punch.

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  12. This is gorgeous...as always.You have inspired me to work towards a collection of TNT patterns. It's early days but I thank you for sharing your creativity, skills and enthusiasm for our craft.

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  13. you look a million dollars! a serious WOW!!

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  14. You look great, I love the black trim on the pockets too. I'm starting to get into pockets although I fear I would end up filling the generous ones on this dress with all sorts of rubbish!

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  15. Thanks for the IRL shots.
    I love the a al Chanel Pockets and the brooch and necklace

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  16. This dress is so lovely on you. I really like the pockets and the snaps are a great idea.

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  17. Another very stylish dress, Carolyn. I love the trim on the front (and personally think that stopping with just that one area of trim was a good idea).

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  18. Thank you for sharing this journey. The Rachel skirt is on my cutting table now, and I've been trying to figure out how to add some sort of piping or trim along the top line of the pockets. Your handstitched trim is perfect. I didn't want the hidden pockets so well hidden, and love your solution. Thanks.

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  19. Beautiful...Your garments fit extremely well. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

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  20. That's a terrific dress. Love the fafabric, and how you trimmed out ththe pockets.

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  21. Beautiful dress! I like seeing the IRL pics!

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  22. hot off the machine bed....nothing like it. Also, makes work life a bit more tolerable I find.

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  23. Fabulous dress & you look fabulous in it!

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  24. The fit is impeccable and you look fabulous in it! Great fabric and I'm loving the pockets in the front. I also love wearing new garments straight from the sewing machine! You look a million!
    xoxo, Sunni

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  25. This looks SO good on you! Who says horizontal lines are always widening -- I think adding that broke up the fabric and made it look much nicer.

    Job well done!

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  26. Stunning, Carolyn! The design is really my favorite aspect of this creation, but I'd be remiss not to compliment you on the perfect fit.
    Just looove those pockets!

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  27. Love the dress--you look lovely in it! I do really like the front pocket/trim detail you did. Just right!

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  28. it looks good with and without the cardigan. I favor pearls for my jewelry, too. They add such a classic touch to any outfit.

    I bought a Janome Professional 6500, and wrote a few comments about it on my blog. I think I'll love it. I went so far as to take an unfinished dress and stitch in one sleeve in the store to try it out before I bought it, taking your suggestion to use it with my own fabric one step further. I appreciate your advice, as well as the comments of your many wonderful readers. (Hubby had sticker shock over the price, but he's already over it.)

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  29. Love it. That one line of black is perfect, nothing else is needed. Nice to see the dress "at work", too!

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  30. Such a fabulous dress, Carolyn. I do love the simplicity of it with such a bold graphic. Well done!

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  31. Love it. I have almost caught up my darning, and late birthday gifts to my son and his fiancé (pj bottoms that complement each other). ASAP I am finishing my shirt and getting the pants cut out- an outfit that I had planned, purchased, 5 years ago! Thanks for all the encouragement!

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  32. Love, love, love! I thought about you this last week as I had to dress for interviews and did NOT have the wardrobe. I love your taste, style and the way you wear your garments

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  33. What a beautiful dress on you!! Love that pocket styling in the front!!

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  34. Yay. Clever and stylish. Snaps are a good idea for the front pockets.

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  35. Perfect fabric/pattern combo. Lovely!

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  36. I really like the way the trim sets off the pocket line--what a great touch!

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  37. Lovely dress and awesome details! You look gorgeous!

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  38. Another wonderful dress. Love seeing the IRL photos

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  39. Another beautiful creation. You look fabulous. Thanks for sharing your talent and inspiring others.

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  40. This dress looks just lovely! Those pockets on the front remind me of the Vogue 1247 skirt, a cool and unexpected place to put pockets, but so effective!

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  41. Beautiful dress and it looks great on you.

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  42. Your so talented you ought to have your own clothing line.
    What pattern is this?

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  43. How did you make those gorgeous pockets?

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