DVF Inspired Dress

I really liked this DVF dress from the Pre-fall 2010 line:

I knew I could reproduce it from my TNT dress pattern...but was concerned that it's going to be very cold here this winter so did I really want another dress?  Well of course, I did!

Some stats:

Pattern:
TNT dress pattern (princess seam version) - added some long sleeves to this adaptation per the inspiration dress.

Fabric:
Vera Wang Lavender Line Wool Jersey

Notions:
20" gray zipper
1 yard bias binding

Construction Details:
I don't know what I'm thinking some days when I'm cutting out, but I added 5/8" seam allowances to only one side of each pattern piece...which of course I ended up taking out of all the seams, several times.  The finished dress was just too big. 

The dress is unlined.  I thought I would add a lining to it but the fabric is sooooo heavy that I changed my mind during construction.  So why did I pick this heavy fabric in the first place, because it's cold on Monday's in my office...very cold especially since I sit in front of a window...and I need to be warm. 

I did something with this dress that I never do...the seams are unfinished.  There was no need as the fabric does not ravel. 

The dress also has a handpicked zipper in the back.  This was done as an afterthought because I was basting the zipper in and thought I would just finish putting the entire thing in by hand.  It gives it a really nice touch I think!

The neckline was cut very low on the front to imitate the DVF inspiration dress.  A double line of topstitching was added to the front, unlike the original dress, because I needed to break up all that gray fabric.  One of the main attractions of the DVF dress was the neckline because it allows me to wear a variety of tops under the dress.  I like having the option to layer it as I please.

Option 1

worn with a black cashmere turtleneck

patterned stockings and shoe booties

Option 2

worn with a white cotton tank top

Option 3

worn with a red sleeveless turtleneck

and my funky black 'n white shoes

Since the dress is unlined, I added bias strips at the neckline which at first I hand hemmed.  However, the hand stitching left marks in the fabric so I went back and machine stitched it down.  I also machine stitched the hems of the sleeves, as well as, the hem of the dress.

Finally, it really is a pretty basic dress that will be used as a layering piece.  I can add or take away from the dress and totally affect the look I'm getting by doing so.  My only wish is that I liked my waistline in a belt...then it really would be exactly like the DVF Inspiration Dress.

I've finished up a pair of pants but need a top piece to go over them before I photograph them...so that's what I'm working on now.

And a parting shot...

I love these shoe booties and the patterned hose.  I don't get to wear them to work often, but I use this combination on Casual Fridays.

...as always, more later!

The Day After...

...is a time to reflect...a time to be grateful for family and friends...and a time to be glad Christmas is over for this year!  *LOL*

I did manage to get 7 AG doll clothes made for the niece.  It was an all day flurry of sewing in which I forgot to take pictures of said doll clothes.  In the midst of the present opening on Christmas Eve (we have a 2 day celebration ~ don't ask the story is too long and drawn out!), the grown-ups were more excited by the clothes than the niece.  *sigh*  Oh well!

My darling daughters did manage to shop from my prepared list very well...I got all the DVDs and sewing books that I wanted and yes, I will do reviews on the sewing books in the upcoming weeks.  I ate a lot of good food (makes me wonder how the cooking gene skipped me since my sister and cousin are such awesome cooks!), laughed alot at family stories that were trotted out, was so thankful that my mother is in good health and here to share Christmas with me and generally made me thankful that I am surrounded by family and loved ones.

I had to guard my iPad with a ferociousness! *LOL*  My sister carried it with us everywhere and ALMOST forgot that it was mine!  But it was really handy for games and directions...we got to my cousin's house faster than we ever have!

Which brings me to two other things...one...SNOW!  Y'all know I hate snow with a fierceness...and we here in the tri-state area (NJ, NY & CT) are predicted to get blizzard like conditions later today into tomorrow with amounts of snow being bandied about like 8" to 20".  This probably means that even though I am scheduled to work tomorrow I probably will be unable to get there.  So much snow is being discussed that my SO is NOT working today, so you know it's serious 'cause that man ALWAYS works! *LOL*  So I'm hunkered down trying to figure out if I want to veg or sew for myself.

After perusing the pictures of Diane Von Furstenberg's Pre-Fall 2010 Collection...I really want to sew for me!  Erica, made an awesome skirt that highlights the clean, pure lines of this collection and there are a few pieces in it that I want to incorporate into my winter sewing.  These are my top three favorites:

collared vest and skirt combo

(I am in love with collared

vests this season!)

cowl neck knit dress

(doesn't this remind you of B5247

- just closer fitting)

a great throw on knit dress

So as I sit and wait for the snow to descend upon us and wreck havoc on the outside world, I will thumb through my fabric collection and come up with an outfit to work on.

...as always, more later!