Saturday, January 5, 2013

A Christmas Dress

I finished and wore this dress last weekend, but I'm finally getting around to posting about it.  I have the flu, and today is the first time I've gotten out of bed since Wednesday.  I am feeling MUCH better today and I think I am close to being done with this.  I missed several days of work, which I normally would be like "awesome, more time to sew" but that didn't happen.  It was too much work to even brush my teeth.

Anyway!  Happier things.  Last Friday, my aunt Karen had her annual Christmas party, which is a big affair with the whole family and a tasty meal and lots of cocktails. Most people dress up in something Christmassy, so I wanted to make a sparkly party frock.  I used this pattern and omitted the collar.

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I wanted to make the fuller skirt, but I didn't have enough fabric. I am still pretty thrilled with how it turned out. The fabric is vintage brocade from the 60's, pillaged from my friend Marylee's stash.

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Pretty good lookin' lapped zipper, hey? One side is a leeeetle higher than the other but I'm sure I can fix that with a hook if it really bothered me.  It doesn't.

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The brocade is kind of scratchy so I wanted to do a full lining, and I didn't really have any suitable fabric, so I just used some white cotton. I wear a slip with everything anyway, so I wasn't worried about it getting bunched up on my tights. Plus, with it being a winter dress, it should be warm and cozy!

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And here it is, all finished and gussied up for the party!

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I love how it turned out! I felt so festive and pretty. This will definitely get worn again in the near future. Oh, and as for the blue coat I was making? I couldn't say much before because it was a Christmas gift for my Mom. After all the button hole drama, it actually turned out pretty nice! I was literally sewing on buttons until the minute we had to leave to go over to my parents' house, so I didn't get any pictures. I'll make sure to ask her to snap a few the first time she wears it.

I am under strict doctor's orders not to leave the house until Monday (okay, I am heeding her advice for the most part but I'm totally going to watch football with my also flu-stricken parents tonight. Don't judge.) I guess I'll go sew! Happy Saturday and I hope everyone out there is feeling better than I am!

10 comments:

  1. This is a gorgeous dress! Well done! And you are really tempting me to attempt a vintage pattern this year.

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  2. So, so beautiful...well done with this! I look forward to seeing your mum in her lovely blue coat!

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  3. CUTE!!! Just perfect for Christmas festivities. :) You did a lovely job!

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  4. Oh i do like your dress! I also like that pattern (view 1 in particular, with the sheer over-dress), may try and search for a version of it for myself - but don't worry, I live in Melbourne, so very much unlikely to bump into one another wearing the same dress!

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  5. Oooh, the dress is so pretty and festive. I am very jealous that you have a dressing-up kind of family!

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  6. Sparkly, pretty! That fabric is divine!

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  7. I wonder if you would take part in my Sew How series?

    Would you take part in my Sew How series?

    Here's a link:

    http://thebluegardenia.typepad.com/the_diary_of_the_blue_gar/sew-how/

    I'd be honored!

    Denise

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  8. I would love to!! Thanks for asking! You can email me at Amy.b.chojnacki@gmail.com.

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  9. Your dress is gorgeous!! I love the fabric, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

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  10. This is stunning! I love the 60's brocade and it fits you to a t! I am a fan of using cotton as a lining, it doesn't have that horrible clingy feeling that some cheap lining fabric does, I hate that!

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