Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Pink Flamingo



It is finally finished!


I had my doubts, and my frustrations, but it turns out I am very pleased with the finished dress.  Which probably has more to do with the fabric than anything else!


Flamingos are fabulous!  And I just love the green and pink color combo.


When I started, I absolutely believed that this pattern was going to be a one hit wonder.  I was curious enough about the style to give it a try, but also convinced that I would not want to make another.  After wearing it around for the day, I think that it would make a lovely wool frock (and much more suitable for Fall/Winter weather!).  So perhaps I will have to make another at some point.


The hat is something I found at a local store.  It does not have any label inside, and I cannot decide the proper way to wear it.  Some days I wear the buckle/bow to the front, and in this case, I decided that the embellishments should face the back.  Any thoughts on the “correct” way to wear the hat?


And it turns out that the dress works with or without the dickey.  A day to evening look, if you will.  And more proof  that the fabric really makes the dress!



Dress:  Butterick 5747
Hat:  Vintage
Earrings:  Vintage
Shoes:  INC

43 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning! I just love the flamingos and pink and green is one of my fav colour combos!

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  2. Incredible! I've wondered for ages about this pattern. I quite fancy making a really twee striped sailor dress with it. I am so envious of your precision sewing and that piping is just wonderful!

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  3. Lovely dress and it fits beautifully. Great job with that piping!

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  4. It's lovely. I particularly like that it a. has a matching dickey, and b. that you're not afraid to say so. How does it fasten in?

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    1. Thanks Maya! The dickey has two buttonholes at the top corners, and two snaps about five inches down which correspond to buttons and snaps on the dress.

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  5. GReat dress and you look stunning as usual. That hat is so cute it would work any way you turn it.

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  6. As usual all your attention to detail pays off. This style looks great on you.

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  7. Love it! I finally picked up a copy of this pattern last weekend and now I want to sew it up asap! As for the hat, I think it looks darling both ways so I say just go with what feels right on the particular day you want to wear it.

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  8. How adorable! It looks fantastic on you.

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  9. Great dress! The shoes are terrific, too. As always, thanks for sharing your sewing journey. I always learn something from your posts.

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  10. Laura Mae, this dress is a hit! I admit, as I watched the blog posts of its construction, I wondered, "will she ever actually wear this dress?" But it looks stunning on you, and I love the pink shoes. Looking forward to your next fashion-sewing adventure.

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  11. Fantastic dress!! and I'm in love with your shoes - they complete the outfit perfectly!

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  12. I'll admit, when I was watching your progress on this I wasn't exactly sure about how it would turn out... but I shouldn't have worried. This dress is amazing! The piping was really worth the extra effort, and your fit is incredible. Love your pink shoes too! You look incredible, lady! ;)

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    1. Thanks Lauren! I love the shoes - I have been looking for bright pink pumps for SO LONG!

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  13. Eeeeeeeeeeee!!! This dress is squeal worthily marvelous! I love the punchy, summery, almost tropical palette and think both those hues look like a million dollar on you, gorgeous gal.

    ♥ Jessica

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  14. WOW! This is so fantastic!!! You look gorgeous, and I'm in love with the fabric, and, well, everything about this dress. Every time I see something you made from one of these repros from the big companies I'm in awe. You make them look SO much cuter than the illustrations!

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    1. That means so much, coming from you, Lauren! And I have to admit that your novelty print projects have been an endless source of inspiration (not to mention the gowns!).

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  15. It's the picture of phoenicopterian perfection. The pink piping makes those birds stand out just that much more. This is a gorgeous style on you.
    Now I'm starting to think your shoe wardrobe is as vast as your dress collection.

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    1. You caught me - I do love my shoes! And I have been looking for a pair of pink pumps for ages, partly to match back to this fabric!

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  16. This is just phenomenal! I love every square inch of it!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  17. Very cute dress - I love the flamingo pose!

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  18. Oh its just beautiful! Your fitting is spot on too, I'm so amazed!

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  20. Stunning results! I have looked at the pattern several times but have always been unsure about the collar, which actually looks good! My favourite view is without the dicky, it gives the dress an open, fresher look. Thank you for sharing your journey. As always your attention to detail, plus the finishing touches with the hat and stylish shoes, has produced another show stopper.

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  21. I completely love your dress! The fabric is gorgeous and the dress looks so well made, I love the matching shoes too!

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  22. This dress is so much fun and so cute! Those flamingos are just adorable. I will admit, I passed up this pattern when it came out, but after seeing your version, I may have to pick it up at the next sale. :]

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  23. LOVE!! The flamingos, the fit... the hot pink shoes. I need that pattern. :) ~S

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  24. I just love the green and pink colour combination!!! Beautiful dress and a beatiful fit :)

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  25. Those buttons, button holes, and that belt elevate this dress into something special.

    If outdoing one's self were a sport, you'd be an Olympian.

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  26. This is so beautiful! The fit is perfect and the fabric choice is spot on! I love how styled it, too! I can see it in some many varying colors and prints. Now that you've got the fit down, you can have a mini collection for every occasion!

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  27. absolutely beautiful dress love the green and pink

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  28. I absolutely love this dress! You certainly did find the perfect pattern for that fantastic flamingo fabric and the pink pipping gives it the perfect pop. It's simply charming and one of my favorites of yours!

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  29. I am so happy you wrote about this dress! Not only is it stunningly beautiful and fun on you, it's been on my to sew list since it came out, but I was hesitant due to lack of actually made up dresses on the internet. Now I see how spectacular it can look, I know what I'll be doing over christmas!

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  30. I love your blog. Your sewing is beautiful. I love to sew also but don't have many occasions to wear vintage fashions. Maybe someday... As far as your hat question you can look inside at the grosgrain band. The back of the hat should always be where the band joins. The label would be sewn over that joint. Keep up the good work.

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  31. Holy moly this dress is fabulous - and I agree, it may largely be due to the fabric, but the pattern and construction is stunning as well!

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  32. This is gorgeous! how did you seam finish the skirt vent so all the edges are concealed with Hug Snug, in spite of needing to clip into the back seam. It's so perfect in your Flickr pics. I'd love to know how you did this.

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    1. The diagonal seam was covered with Hug Snug by hand after clipping the vent so it lays flat. That piece is wider than the machine applied binding along the vertical seamlines because I did not fold the binding over the raw edge. (It’s basically a small patch job by hand after everything that can be completed with the machine is finished.)

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  33. Hi, Laura Mae! I'm currently working on this dress, and am also using a directional patterned fabric (chevrons instead of flamingo!). The instructions have me lay out the paper pattern for the belt in a direction that's perpendicular to my other pieces, so the chevrons wouldn't be going in the same direction. Did you have this problem as well? How did you overcome it? Also, I'm a little concerned that the inner waistband will add too much bulk. But it looks like you added it and it wasn't a problem? Thanks so much!

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