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Monday, February 23, 2015

Beautiful Bouclé


Simplicity 1997 is a pattern that was never put away - I always meant to make another version.  And here we are (even if it took longer than I was expecting!).  


I did manage to make a skirt along the way, but it has taken quite a while to get to the dress.  Now that it is finished, I really can't say why I waited so long.


Well, that is not entirely true.  I think I was waiting for this fabric. 


That is not to say this was the easiest thing I have ever made.  The loft of the bouclé made attaching the ties to the neckline challenging.


(By the way . . . the trick to tying a bow with thick fabric is to pull one side of the tie until it hangs down a few inches below the other and use that longer tail to wrap the second tie - it took a few tries, but I finally got it!)


This dress definitely needed a matching belt.  But making a buckle and belt from a thick textile is not as easy as I had hoped.  The saving grace is that the fabric presses beautifully.


And miraculously, it is not itchy at all.  Overall, it was worth all the extra effort it required.  And now I have a new dress that I love!


But the next project is going to be nice and quick and simple!  



Dress & Belt:  Made by me, Simplicity 1997
Shoes:  Miss L Fire, “Dame”
Earrings:  Shadows
Brooch:  Vintage
Minaudière:  Banana Republic

[The fabric for this dress was received in exchange for my contributions as a Britex Guest Blogger.]


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22 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 23, 2015 at 3:59 AM

    Lovely outfit. I remember my mother had a boucle suit like this, but then, no central heating! Thanks for showing it.

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  2. Pamela BowmanFebruary 23, 2015 at 4:12 AM

    Beautiful as always. I would never have attempted that fabric and pattern combo but you have a magical talent with fabric and sewing.

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    1. Laura MaeFebruary 26, 2015 at 10:57 PM

      I had my doubts during construction about my pattern choice . . . but in the end, it worked out nicely!

      Delete
  3. Peter LappinFebruary 23, 2015 at 4:51 AM

    I love this dress! And I especially love how you've parted your hair — very chic.

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  4. ValerieFebruary 23, 2015 at 5:01 AM

    Very chic! I would not have thought to pair this fabric with that pattern, and I love the result. Excellent work!

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  5. JennyFebruary 23, 2015 at 5:14 AM

    So so beautiful! My favorite dress of yours, I think. Plus, your hair looks really pretty. :-)

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  6. EstherFebruary 23, 2015 at 6:56 AM

    Gorgeous dress, as is the wearer!! Beautiful job!!

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  7. Sara RFebruary 23, 2015 at 8:58 AM

    so fun! It looks great! You could be a character on mad men ;)

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  8. PinhousePlaymateFebruary 23, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    The dress is a stunner ;) You look so lovely sitting on those stairs!

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  9. Kate-EmFebruary 23, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    This is a fabulous dress, you look great. Lovely choice of fabric.

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  10. TashaFebruary 23, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous on you! I saw that fabric on the Britex site and oohed and aahed over it. I'm so glad to see it sewn up into such a beautiful dress!

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  11. Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)February 23, 2015 at 8:45 PM

    I've been waiting to see this dress on you...and it's just stunning!

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  12. LaurianaFebruary 23, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    It's absolutely lovely...

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  13. Terzi BegumFebruary 24, 2015 at 1:20 AM

    Lovely hair and gorgeous outfit...

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2015 at 7:21 AM

    I'm so impressed that you made something so tailored and polished out of such a lofty fabric! It's really lovely!

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  15. Witchcrafted LifeFebruary 24, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    There is something so fresh and yet completely timeless about this beautiful dress. I love your choice of fabric. Goodness, is this a stunner!

    ♥ Jessica

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  16. StinaPFebruary 25, 2015 at 12:51 AM

    So beautiful!

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  17. JoannaFebruary 25, 2015 at 6:01 PM

    I'm very curious about your belt. Did you make it from a vintage belt kit? I've got a bunch of these. I made one awhile back but it had some kinks in it. I think I much prefer when the belting material is stored in a roll vs. in those little packages. I'd love to know the source of yours as it is so nicely done! It's so great to see how well your dresses turn out. I know (or at least can half imagine) the time and work that goes into these. I'm hoping to work with wool this year. I'm half into a rayon blouse right now but can't seem to stay focused :)

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    1. Laura MaeFebruary 26, 2015 at 11:09 PM

      The buckle is a vintage notion (my favorites are the ones with teeth along the edges to catch the fabric) - I have a limited stash, so I only like to use them for very special projects. I have one of the complete vintage belt/buckle kits that include belting. I have never used it because, as you mentioned, the belting is compromised after years of being folded. I have purchased belting for some projects (JoAnn Fabrics sometimes carries it as do some other fabric stores), but I don’t like to be limited by the widths that are available.

      For a couple of my recent projects (and this one) I used a thick fusible craft Pellon, cut it to my desired size, and fused a piece of fleece to the fusible side. This gives me a layer that can be sewed into. I then wrap my belt around that base and secure it to the Pellon+fleece.

      That is my latest solution! In a year I may change my process, but for now, I am happy with the result.

      Good luck with your blouse!

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  18. MelissaFebruary 26, 2015 at 5:26 PM

    Stunning

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  19. Euphoria Marzena ZablonskaMarch 9, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    I like your sewing! You are amazing women and your vintage dresses are beautifull :-)

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