This is a perfect work dress and I love the empire waist silhouette on me. Since this is a second make of a variation of my TNT dress pattern, there aren't any construction changes.
However, I did layer the mesh and pinstripe fabric for the dress' empire top and took a few pictures of the construction process:
Dart traced on the bodice front
Mesh piece pinned to the pinstripe top
Mesh and pinstripe fabric backs pinned together
Front bodice and skirt sewn together
Inserting the invisible zipper
marking the zipper to match the sides
...and even with the marking, I was an 1/8" off in the end
Basted the sides together to insure that
they would match when machine stitched
I love the play of the mesh printed top versus the pinstripe skirt and how it really works in my "Creative Corporate" dressing theme.
A few more pictures of the dress ~
I do have two more yards of the pinstripe fabric left and I want to make the shorter jacket from this out-of-print pattern - Butterick 5535 - purchased in August 2010.
I will probably sew it sooner rather than later...just have to make a few decisions about whether to line it or not, add embellishments and what type of buttons to use. I'd really like the dress and jacket to be coordinates that can be worn together.
Thanksgiving is tomorrow in the US. This year I'm off the Friday after Thanksgiving, working the Friday after Christmas, because my firm is open both days. I will have the grandbabies with me Friday, since my daughter and SIL both have to work. However, I will be in the sewing cave for the rest of the weekend. I can't wait!
...as always more later!
What a lovely dress. The lace and the pinstripe...genius! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI love how you didn't line the sleeves. A lovely take on the corporate dress.
ReplyDeleteThanks wenhkc! I really thought sheer sleeves would work best, I'm thrilled that you agree!
DeleteYou look like a million bucks in this--great silhouette on you, and love the fabric combo. One of your very best I think!
ReplyDeleteI know I've written it many times before, but this dress is simply smashing. The fit is perfect and the fabric is elegant. Your smile is the perfect accessory. Brava
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the comments so far - you knocked it out of the park with this one! I love your hair in these pics. You look amazing. A jacket from the pinstripe would be amazing. g
ReplyDeleteThat looks really sharp. I, too, love a good empire waist!
ReplyDeleteLovely mix of fabric!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning dress.
ReplyDeleteYou are a great inspiration as always.
Now if I could just have a few snow days here ......
It is a beautiful dress and looks great on you
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, and you look great wearing it!
ReplyDeleteLove the silhouette on you. The fabric combination is artistic and classic. Thank you for the inspiration this morning. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome on you, I agree. And I love the pinstripe and floral contrast, as you say very corporate creative!
ReplyDeleteLove your dress. It looks amazing on you.
ReplyDeleteWow!! So cool how you merged the mesh and the pinstripe. I must confess.... when I saw the fabric together, I did not see your vision. But this is a wonderful combination!!
ReplyDeleteLovely fabric combo 😎
ReplyDeleteThe dress is an inspiration! You look lovely. Wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving--I'm grateful for the time and effort you put into your blog. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe two fabrics together are genius. I love the combination of the two. And I also love the empire waistline. You look great in that dress! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as usual, Carolyn! Great fabric choices - the mesh and pinstripe are such an interesting and lovely combination. I agree that the empire waist is really flattering on you, and the mesh on the top half of the dress frames your face so nicely. Looking forward to seeing your next make!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and slimming. I love how the two fabrics look together.
ReplyDeleteNice dress Carolyn. I love the sheer sleeve.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites! The proportions are perfect for you. Love it!
ReplyDeleteVerrrrry pretty, Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteI love this dress on you! It's very flattering, and I love the use of the mesh as an overlay!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, I love the mixture of textures and prints. Good job.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices of fabric to mix - love the "corporate with a kick" look!
ReplyDeleteLovely take on 'otherwise boring' corporate. The matching jacket would really kick it up a notch.
ReplyDeleteYou're a genius, mixing mesh with pinstripe suiting - I would have never ever have thought of that, and it looks SO good!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this dress.. The style, the fabrics, the colors... it's amazing!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful dress and it looks wonderful on you. The jacket is going to be perfect with it. And, I say line the jacket.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good look for you! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteLove that dress!
ReplyDeleteThat is a fabulous dress Carolyn. Love it. The contrast between fabrics is wonderful. Am I right is thinking that you have a dart on the pinstripe but not on the mesh? I can't see one on the mesh.
ReplyDeleteActually Beajay the two pieces (pinstripe and mesh fabrics) were basted together and the dart was sewn. So the dart is in the mesh fabric also.
DeleteLove the combination of the floral fabric with the pinstripes. Beautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, I'm glad to see you with the empire waist..I have always thought these look really nice on you.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful dress! It is a flattering fit on you and the stripes are elongating as well. Your idea of using the pinstripes under the mesh fabric was a good one and like the sleeves without it.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
That style does look lovely on you ..and the fabric contrast accentuates it!!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, I absolutely love this dress on you! Creative, beautiful and the fit is perfect! I love it so very much, I could love to incorporate your idea into something I create for myself if you don't mind! This is just beautiful work on your part! Job very well done! When something turns out this great, you want to run (not walk) back to your sewing cave to pump out something else! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
ReplyDeleteMyra - please feel free to copy anything you want! You have a Happy Thanksgiving too!
DeleteWhat a pretty dress! The top and the unlined sleeves are just lovely with the fabric of the skirt. It all looks wonderful on you. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI absolutley love this fabric combination, and silhouette on you. The juxtaposition of the two fabrics is sublime - seriously sublime - and something that is totally unique to your aesthetic. This dress looks terrific on you. Congratulations on a job well done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dress. You look incredibly young and beautiful in it! I really like the combination of two fabrics you think shouldn't work together but do! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric combo, I often see great mesh prints and wonder what to do with them, now I know!
ReplyDeleteSlimming and chic and what a beautiful contrast of fabrics. Now you have made all of us want this stunning and versatile dress for our own, Carolyn! As always great photos and precise instructions so easy to follow to give us courage to make our own version. You inspire!
ReplyDeleteThis empire sillouette with it's longer looking skirt is VERY flattering on you. Love that your are trying new design lines. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI love this one Carolyn, you have really changed shape and the Empire line suits you VERY much. Beautiful fabric, and as always beautifully executed. I love the new cardigan too, especially without the pockets.
ReplyDeleteI love how you combined the two fabrics together! oh my goodness I love it! I have some pinstripe that I've been hanging on to forever not knowing what to do with it knowing only that I love it & who can resist sales right? lol! I have a few vintage empire dress patterns, do you think they would work as well or should I keep it more knee length, ohh you've got me excited now & given new hope to my pinstripe lol!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm so envious of your creations. Just love them all! Have a Blessed Christmas and joyous New Year!
ReplyDeleteLove this dress!. The combination of fabrics is wonderful and it looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteThe Fabric Inspiration Dress in Positano is simply stunning! The vibrant colors and beautiful design truly capture the essence of this breathtaking coastal town. I can't wait to visit and explore all the fashion inspiration that Positano has to offer!
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