There are some projects that come together with minimal effort. This was one of them. And I have even managed to post the finished dress on my blog within two months of my initial wearing of the outfit. Miracles do happen!
I knew immediately that I would pair the bold floral estate sale fabric find with this Claire McCardell design.
During the process of cutting the fabric, I was reminded just how much extra fabric a large scale print requires to attempt matching of any kind!
I wasn't even planning on print matching . . . just making sure that none of the obvious seamlines at center front and back did not look terrible with duplicate roses directly across from one another. I achieved my goal, but I did have to piece one of the sashes.
Which is not a huge problem, especially since that join gets lost in the bow that gets tied at center back.
I ended up lining that sash because the wrong side of this cotton print is not especially pretty. Also, since I pieced one of them, the extra seam needed to be covered up.
The directions call for a single layer that gets narrow hemmed along the edges, and even though I was slightly concerned that the double thickness of the cotton might prove too much for a tied bow, I moved ahead with my plan.
It's a bit trickier than a single layer would have been, but the bow ties up nicely.
And I will definitely be making use of this pattern in the future.
It's definitely a keeper! My love of oversized florals is not likely to go away any time soon. If I look like I'm wearing an old sofa cover, I don't mind. I just love those flowers!
I suspected that I would like this design from the start, but you never know until you put on the finished garment. And this one is a winner!
Dress: Made by me, Eva Dress Claire McCardell reproduction
Hair Rose: Made by me
Bag: Made by me, Vogue 625
Necklace: Vintage, from Mom
Earrings & Bracelet: Vintage, gift
Shoes: Kristin Cavallari "Copertina"
Beautiful job and lovely photos! I hope if you make it again you try the long-sleeve version (and maybe a solid fabric that highlights the style lines of the designs).
ReplyDeleteThe dress was incredible.You look nice on this outfit.Thanks for sharing.I found some excellent fabrics from Fabrics World USA in NYC near me which was a nice weight, not too beefy.
ReplyDeleteso pretty, love the large floral and vibrant red.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love the big roses! Stunning photos in such a lovely location.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding dress, not even close to an old sofa! You look fabulous in that style and combination of colors.
ReplyDeleteMore than a "busy day dress", it's a "you running errands, replete with second glances, tea and finger sandwiches, the perfect five-some, at a friend's deck overlooking the bay, then into the city for an early dinner with a dear friend who will join you at the evening meeting you've been looking forward to for weeks, the conversation is a refreshing oasis which, and suddenly you two are running to be on time to the stitchin' group meeting, and meaningful time with your sewing squad", kind of dress.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeletehmm
ReplyDelete