Monday, February 03, 2014

Pinterest Inspiration

...or continuing along with the sheath dress quest...I saw this dress online at Talbot's and loved it.



Then found this one on Pinterest where the seaming drew my attention...



which when added to the basic sheath style of the Talbot's dress...throwing my TNT dress pattern into the mix...and this is what I ended up with...




Some stats:
Fabric ~
Midweight wool crepe from Fabric Mart

Notions ~
beige invisible zipper
silk batiste lining from Farmhouse Fabrics
beige rayon seam binding
beige cotton bias binding 

Construction Details:
I made a few alterations to my TNT dress pattern to get to my vision for the dress.
  
The first alteration I made was to add a center front seam. The was done by sewing right sides together. Pressing the seam open.  Then folding & pressing the excess under and topstitching the seam down on both sides.



The second change to my TNT pattern is that I sewed the center back and center side seams right sides together.  I flipped it over and pressed the seam flat.  Then pressed it to the side.




Finally I topstitched it flat.


I was trying to emulate the seaming that I liked in my inspiration dresses and I believe I was more successful with the seaming in the back than the front.



The dress was then sewn as I normally do.  I added an ivory silk batiste lining because I'm out of ivory rayon bemberg lining and of course I added lace trim to the lining's hemline.  I kinda like the wool/silk combo that the dress fabric and the lining fabric form.



...and the armholes were stitched with the bias binding finish...



A few more pics of how I will wear the dress with an Isaac Mizrahi blazer and cardigan in real life...


With three strand pearl necklace and Nine West heels



With Heidi Daus cross necklace and matching earrings

This is my first finished garment of February! I've already started working on my next piece...more basics but with a twist.

Finally there's been a lot of Barbie sewing in the blogosphere lately.  I saw this on Yahoo ~ Barbie has put her Malibu dreamhouse on the market. The listing is here. Let me know if anyone is considering purchasing it...I'd like to come by and visit! I will even bring my sewing machine to stitch up a few designer dresses for my girl, Barbie.

...as always more later!

43 comments:

  1. This is lovely, Carolyn. The really pale beige is very pretty on you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. so basically you did a flat felled seam on the back princess seams, right? it's a great effect. I think the front looks good as well. I love, love the giraffe cardigan. I really want something with a giraffe print. This dress is lovely and will be a great 'basic' but not - garment to add to your closet and your work collection. I'm envious you've got something made already. g

    ReplyDelete
  3. The seaming details are fabulous and make a quietly stunning dress in the lovely pale crepe. Beautifully sewn and such a lovely style on you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love love love this dress Carolyn, and you look fabulous wearing it. Your sewing is perfection, as ever!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a beautiful dress. Such clean lines. Looks fabulous on you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a beautiful dress and I love your whole outfit(s)! Very classy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like yours more than the original inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That dress, in that fabric, in that color, with that detail, is absolutely fabulous on you. One of my all time favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oooh really pretty. I especially like it with the jacket!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. LOVE!! And both of the cardigans/jackets make it sing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Carolyn, your details are always so stunning! I love the tone on tone, textured stripe down the middle. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, this is gorgeous, and I love all your different outfits! It's a refreshing look in the middle of winter!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Absolutely lovely! Another classic item, with some gorgeous details.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great dress. I like your seam finishes better than the inspiration dress. And you make me want to click over and order that Heidi Daus necklace - nice job with the styling!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Carolyn, awesome dress! You look absolutely fabulous in this dress. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are so glam it hurts! You have the perfect combination of sophistication and sass. I love it! Great job on drawing inspiration from your pinterest dress.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I agree! This dress is lovely! I want one.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your interpretation, especially the topstitch on the CF seam. and I loved that inspiration dress when I saw it on Pinterest. What do you think the fabric is? Looks like it might be the fabric they call Silk n Wool - a blend of the two fibers that has a satin weave structure. I love the sheen and the body on that baby. Almost makes me wish I needed work clothes - Almost!! LOL!!
    Another note - Congratulations on the newest addition Grandma.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe a silk satin or a silk/wool satin fabric...it is a lovely fabric though. I pinned it more though for the seaming detail than the fabric. I still may cut my TNT dress pattern up and try those seams, though.

      Delete
  19. Beautiful and very inspiring is your latest dress and love how it changes so much with the different cardigans/jackets.

    ReplyDelete
  20. First time commenting, been lurking around 6 months though. This dress is so flattering on you - the lines, the color, etc. that I just had to come out of hiding and tell you that this is #1 in my book. Excellent!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Like the details that you added. Taking a very basic dress and making it your own. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Okay, I'm sending you a FedEx delivery slip so you can send this dress to my house., lol.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow! I LOVE it! It looks awesome on you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is such a beautifully fitted, beautifully styled and beautifully executed dress! I am not a frequent commenter, but I want to let you know that I always look forward to your posts in my RSS feed. Fantastic job!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very pretty! The color is fab on you and I really like it paired with that blazer.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like it! Looks like it will be a great piece for your wardrobe.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I really love this one on you! It is perfect, and I love the different looks with the cardigan and accesories!

    ReplyDelete
  28. The center front seam and topstitching really added so much to this dress. It is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Stunning! This will work wonderfully for spring as well.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This dress reminds me of spring... I love the seaming details that you added to this basic sheath dress. by the way your pictures look great.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Perfect shape and color and backdrop for all your beautiful jackets and cardigans..a win -win addition to the wardrobe! Love the necklace and hint of Spring even though we are all shivering!

    ReplyDelete
  32. You are so talented! I wish I could sew - tried sewing class a couple decades ago... made one outfit , but I was never very good at it. I live vicariously through you LOL

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love this sheath! The seaming and center detail set it apart and make it look very professional and special, and the wool crepe hangs beautifully on you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. That's what I love about TNT patterns. A few minor changes and it's a completely different garment. I've had sewing buddies look at things I've made from the very same pattern and not recognize that they've seen the pattern before. Isn't it great to be able to use your imagination and creative talents so well? Love your creative energy. Keep 'em coming. You inspire me to stretch.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I really like this seaming detail, very flattering and well-executed. And a luxurious lining makes everything better.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Looks great! I love the detail you added. Beautifully sewn.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh, how wonderful! Absolutely exquisite, as is the seaming. Your sweater is the perfect garment to pair with this lovely dress. I think the seaming on this is so flattering and the color - to die for, and should work with just about everything. Bravo.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh my. That is the most beautiful, gorgeous, flattering dress. LOVE it.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It is so appreciated!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails