Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Ponte & Faux Leather Dress - Part 1

I saw this dress on the Lafayette 148 site.



I've mentioned before how much I like garments from this designer.  Although, Edward Wilkerson, Lafayette 148's designer, designs an amazing plus size line, this dress was not included in the selection.  But let's be real, I wouldn't have purchased the dress anyway.  I love to sew and making my own interpretation, get's me the dress I want in the fit and size I want.

This dress has been in the planning stages for a couple of weeks.  I've gone back and forth over how I would bring out the best of the design in my version.  Of course, this meant starting with my TNT dress pattern and doing a lot of pattern alterations to it.

Dress Front Pattern Alterations ~
First I traced a full version of my TNT dress pattern including the darts and the waistband which are traced out on my dress front.



Then I sliced up the pattern using the dress pictured above as the inspiration.  My goal was not to duplicate the dress but to get the dress' flavor in my own interpretation.



Adding 5/8" seam allowances to all of the pieces followed and then all of the pieces were cut up and laid on top of each other on the original dress front to insure that they worked together.


Finally each pattern piece was numbered and labeled whether it was ponte or faux leather. This way I would know how they were to be sewn together without having to rely on memory.




Dress Back Pattern Alterations ~



As you can see from the picture of the dress above, there's quite a bit of detail on the back. I've chosen not to include that much detail on the back of my dress. One reason is because I'm lazy! *LOL* Another reason is that I'm not sure how it would look or if I want anyone looking that closely at my backside, if you know what I mean.

I decided to use the faux leather band at the empire waistline to match the band on the front.  I also used the same faux leather band and ponte band at the bottom of the dress again matching the dress front.  The majority of the back I left as black ponte knit.

Fabrics Used ~
Black faux leather and a black ponte knit that I had in the collection.  It was the use of these materials that drew me to the dress.  I have extra of both in case a pattern piece doesn't work and I need to recut it.

This is the perfect sewcation dress because I needed time to work on not only the pattern alterations but cutting out all of the various pieces and then stitching them back together.

Construction ~
I'm sewing the dress together now.  Just thought I would give an update on how the sewcation was going.  I've completed one dress.  This is the second piece that I'm working on.  I'm sewing slower than I'd planned.  Y'know I always have these long lists but I just haven't felt like rushing through this week.  I really wanted to take my time and enjoy the journey because it's not like I don't have any clothing to wear! *smile*

Pictures of all finished garments will be taken on Sunday when my daughter will be available.  However, here's a sneak peek of the first garment prior to its completion...




...as always more later!



29 comments:

  1. I am loving this dress. What a great inspiration piece!

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  2. Ooh, the sewcation is coming along nicely! :)

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  3. I can't wait to see both dresses. Just when I think you can't possibly get another look from your TNT dress pattern, there you go again with another fabulous design. Waiting.....waiting

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  4. I loooooove Lafayette. I get to see the clothes everyday at work and spend a lot of time fondling them! LOL! Can't wait to see your version!

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  5. Beautiful inspiration dress. I'll look forward to seeing your interpretation!

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  6. It's going to be amazing! I look forward to seeing it.
    Happy New Year.
    Laurie

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  7. Love the stud dress and can't wait to see it and the leather ponte on you.

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  8. wonderful inspiration piece. I know you will whisper to the fabric and it will do what you ask. I'll stalk insta to find sneak peaks. g

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  9. Oh this is amazing, thank you for the details of how you achieve this and I have just fallen in love with one of his tops!

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  10. Be still my heart. That dress with the studs is stunning and can't wait to see the leather/ponte dress.

    ~Sewjourner

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  11. I love the inspiration dress! I can't wait to see your version. I've been sewing non-stop over the last few days and the word sewcation kept popping into my head. Your presence was also felt as I traced and adapted two TNT patterns to make something completely new!

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  12. Just fabulous. Cant wait for my own creativity to start flowing. Thanks for your vision!

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  13. These both look fabulous! Thank you for sharing the process.

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  14. Your plan looks great. Very interested in seeing how it turns out - splendid no doubt.

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  15. Wow that inspiration dress is fabulous. You did a great job on the second one... loving the details.

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  16. Your sew-cation is off to a good start. Enjoy yourself.

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  17. O.M.G. Where can I get decent faux leather? I want to copy your copy, and NOW! Love it, love the sneak preview dress too.

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  18. I like the 1st one with the studs and color blocking, but I can hardly wait for you to make the faux leather and ponte one!!!

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  19. What a great start for your sewcation. The stud dress looks amazing. Love seeing your design process for the adaptation of the Lafayette dress. Thanks to your sewcation idea, during the past week I made two dresses, a tunic, a knit cardigan and several scarves. Wishing you continued good luck on the rest of your sewcation.

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  20. How exciting - it looks like it will be a real winner. Sounds like a fun process too. I had grand plans of sewing all holidays, but ended up only making one thing. Spent more time relaxing and catching up with friends than anticipated (which is fine by me). Best laid plans and all! :-)

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  21. I too love the original dress so look forward to seeing your version made up.

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  22. I CAN NOT WAIT to see your spin on this dress! It's going to be fabulous.

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  23. Hello Carolyn, Your completed dress is gorgeous, look forward to seeing the one you are working on now. I do have one question. Where do you purchase your faux leather?
    Thank you.

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  24. In my stash, I have black pointe knit and black faux leather. Did you hear them screaming "that's for us" while I was reading your post. I love, love, love that dress and gotta have it. I hope that you don't have a problem with others copying your copy. I also really like the color block/trim dress. I'd like to copy that, too. How creative you are!! I finally visited the Lafayette 148. In 5 minutes, I had enough ideas to sew for months. I just need more hours in a day.

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  25. I love the projects you choose--can't wait to see this one finished!

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  26. i think this is one of my favorite makes of yours, and i love the extra photos you took of your TNT front dress layout with the alterations traced in. really helpful and completely inspirational.

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  27. Oooh, the inspiration dress is killer! I'm excited to see your spin on it! Looking good so far!

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  28. Congrats on the success of your sewcation.

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  29. OK. I see that you created the pattern. Adding that to my "to-do" list!

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