Monday, September 1, 2008

Midriff Dilemma

I am working on McCall 5382 and having a dilemma. I am using a gorgeous silk brocade I got from Fabric Mart last year (long sold out, I'm afraid). One of brocade's great features is that it looks good from the front and the back. I'm using the yellow-with-white side for the dress because I'm wearing it to a couple of weddings (must remember to drink white instead of my usual red) and I don't want to commit the faux pas of wearing anything remotely resembling a white dress to a wedding. But, I want to play with the brocade. The inner side of the front bodice "wings" is in the white-with-yellow, but that won't really show. I am trying to decide whether to make the midriff white-with-yellow or stick with the yellow-with-white of the rest of the dress. I think I'll probably end up all yellow, despite my natural instinct to do contrast. (Yes, you may go ahead and be shocked that I am choosing classy over fun.)

Midriff Dilemma

I considered making a reversible shrug, one side yellow-with-white and the other white-with-yellow and wearing the white side out, but now I think I want to use the fabric for a skirt. I won't get much wear out of shrug in this fabric, but of course the skirt would be very fancy and perhaps I wouldn't wear it much either. Or maybe I could find some kind of top pattern. I'd be more likely to wear a top because I am bound to sit in something in a skirt but a top is easier to protect. At any rate, either would have more of a fighting chance of being worn more than twice (the number of weddings I have this month) than a shrug. I was given a silk scarf in Vietnam that will work as a wrap for the ceremonies.

17 comments:

lsaspacey said...

A lurker speaking here: at least in the picture shown, there doesn't seem to be that much of a contrast w/ the white with yellow so I suggest going with the yellow with white this time.

CraftRage said...

Oh, VERY pretty neckline/bust/whatever sounds less creepy!

I agree with lsaspacey - based on the photos, there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference. Still, I'd vote to keep it all yellow; it's a distinctive fabric, and though it IS classy, the color is fun enough all by itself.

My other vote, I'd go for the double-sided shrug, instead of the skirt - if neither will get a lot of wear, then at least you'll have the perfect topper for this dress. It'll be a whole outfit, not just a dress.

Sue said...

You are one lucky girl getting those fabrics from Carol - I look forward to seeing what you make from those!

I would go the yellow not the white on the dress and make a top with the remainder. Like a chinese-style with the buttons from the necline to the side (don't know what they are called). Whatever you decide, it is looking great!

Little Hunting Creek said...

I like the all yellow option - it looks more elegant. How about a little short jacket for the rest? Also Carol is one super nice person!

Carol said...

I love this dress. Personally, I would go with the all yellow version and I would make the reversible shrug. I did that once with a patterned halter dress I made for a wedding. I made a shrug from the dress fabric (which was tan background with brown pattern) and lined it with plain brown satin. I added a brown satin ribbon around the waist when I wore the brown side out and it extended the life of the dress, giving me a couple of different looks.

If you have a reversible shrug and a wrap that co-ordinates, you can get even more looks from one dress.

I wouldn't make a skirt from this fabric because if you really wanted to, you could wear a top over the dress and get the same effect.

But I do love this dress and can't wait to see the end result!

cidell said...

go all yellow. The contrast isn't big enough to have that big an impact.

Sew-4-Fun said...

Love your dress so far! I'll put a vote in for all yellow.

Anonymous said...

I love the all yellow! It really is a beautiful dress.
I would go with your scarf for awrap, and then use the remaining fabric to make a cute top. It is such a nice fabric and would be fun to have a less formal occasion to show it off! just my 2cents.

Rose said...

The dress looks great so far. I can't see the contrast with the yellow on white midriff--it's too subtle. So I suggest that you go all yellow and when wearing, accessorize with a bright red, pink, or orange floral corsage (unless the vietnamese scarf is has bright colors in the red/pink/orange). Well, I know that *I* would look good with those accent colors. Your milage may vary. Have fun. :)

KayY said...

I'm another vote for all yellow, but you could do white piping in the midriff seams for subtle contrast. I think that would look good.

-E said...

go with peacock blue to accessorize :) gorgeous, btw :)

Anonymous said...

I'd go with the all yellow, and use the scarf from Vietnam. I agree with Sue on the leftover fabric: a chinese top would look fab in this colour, and I think the style would suit you well (with quirky buttons?)

Meg said...

All yellow; more slenderizing that way. You and Cidell are two lucky girls to have all that lovely fabric gifted on you. Envious!!

Marji said...

Another vote for All yellow. That is a fabulous dress. Love the style.

Melinda said...

Gorgeous dress! I'm another who says all yellow.

I love your sense of colour and style, you look great in all the photo's!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful dress! I would keep it all yellow and make the shrug. Possibility thinking...it will be great to have this dress/shrug in your closet in case some wonderful unexpected party comes along!! Linda

Anonymous said...

All yellow (and a second vote for contrasting shoes - peacock, midnight or garnet red).