Friday, October 30, 2009

Second Birthday Dress: BWOF 12-2007-109

Thank you, everyone, for your kind comments on my birthday dress! I am overwhelmed!

BWOF12-2007-109Thumbnail

I had to travel for work on my birthday, and not the good kind of travel, either. I was off to Las Vegas for a week for some particularly painful depositions and knew I'd be working like crazy. However, I was determined to do *something* to celebrate my birthday, hopefully a nice dinner out on the town in between working before and after. I didn't know how silk jersey would travel, and plus the casinos are always so smoky and you have to walk through them to get to the restaurants, so I didn't want to bring my "real" birthday dress. Time to come up with a quick backup!

I flipped through my BWOFs and came across 12-2007-109, which looks sophisticated but is made up in a knit. That deep inverted front pleat is great for tummy disguising and I loved the shawl effect of the sleeves. Because this is a knit, it was super-quick to trace out and sew.

BackI sewed it up in a subtly metallic jersey from stash (purchased way back when from the $2.97/yd table at G Street). Unfortunately, because I was in a hurry I didn't spend much time with the fabric in doing the cutting layout, and didn't realize it has a bit of a nap. I cut everything out in the same direction, but it is a little rough-feeling if you run your hand down the dress, and smooth if you run your hand up the dress. It would be nicer had I run the texture the other way, but it isn't uncomfortable to wear as the bodice and strap are lined with a softer poly knit.

Although the description of the sleeves says "The wide straps of this gown are tied in front before being attached to the back, creating not just a pretty neckline but also cap sleeves," this is not true in any way. There is no tying. The sleeve is sewn as a continuous line after threading through the keyhole, with the seam hidden inside the tab at center back. Nothing complicated there.

Bodice CloseupSo it's not any kind of actual twist, just a keyhole opening that you thread the strap through. The keyhole opening is drafted to be quite long. I shortened it some, but even still my bra shows through the opening a little (a flesh-tone bra helps).

The sleeves, alas, don't work as advertised. My metallicized fabric has a bit less stretch than your typical jersey, and is a bit stiffer, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. But unless you stand perfectly still without moving your arms the shawl sleeves are going to push up onto your shoulders. This makes the look a little less sophisticated and a little more Betty Rubble, but since this was for Vegas the less classy/more trashy thing was fine.

I just left the hem raw. I love that this is an option with jersey.

SeatedDespite working until midnight most nights, we did manage to take one night off and have a lovely dinner at Circo in the Bellagio. We had a smidge of a view of the fountains and the food was fantastic. I think there is more metallic clothing per capita on the Strip than anywhere else in the world (including a couple I saw in which the girl was wearing gold metallic leggings and the guy was wearing one of those tacky Ed Hardy shirts on which every line was limned in gold), so I fit right in.

This is another project photographed by Cidell, so there are some great photos! The pattern review is here.

38 comments:

~ Kimberlee B ~ said...

Adorable!

Eugenia said...

I love this dress on you - I think it looks so elegant. It's a great style and I like the way that the sleeves sit on your version.

Maryissewfast said...

Very cute style on you! That reminds me...I only have a month til we go to Vegas (for fun). Better get stitching so I have something new and fabulous to wear!

Trudy said...

Wow! What a knock out! Now I don't know which one is my favorite.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment. It was great hearing from you.

Jacqui said...

You make me want to wear only dresses from now on. Love them all!

meli88a said...

I like how the sleeves turned out in your version better than the Burda version!

McVal said...

Too cute! I wish I could wear something like that!

Angela said...

Love this dress! I like the way you wear it better!

lsaspacey said...

I don't know what you're talking about, there is nothing trashy about that dress! I love it, great job.

Myra said...

Nice dress, too. I have to remember that about the inverted pleat and tummy disquising.

teresa said...

LOVE it! And again, I applaud your choice of a solid too. It just looks great on your petite frame. I know solids sometimes feel boring to sew but you end up with pieces that really flatter you and as long as the cut is interesting, the dress isn't boring at all.

Vicki said...

this looks quite cute on you. Perfect 2nd birthday dress!

Debbie Cook said...

Another winner. It's both adorable and elegant at the same time, which is hard to do. ;-)

Oh, and Happy Belated Birthday!

Faye Lewis said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!

mochimo said...

Two stunningly beautiful and flattering birthday dresses!!!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic dress!!!

Kristen

Lori said...

Very pretty dress, you look wonderful.

AllisonC said...

Another fabulous dress, glad you got to wear it and enjoy a birthday dinner.

neighbourhood.gal said...

Holy! That's fabulous!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Your first birthday dress was an amazing dress but I like the second one soooooo much better! You did good!

gwensews said...

Both of your birthday dresses are just fabulous. They look terrific on you.

AuntieAllyn said...

I know that you turned a lot of heads in the casino when you wore that dress! (and I mean that in a good way!) You look smokin' hot!!

Kathi said...

I LOVE this one!! The neckline is very, very flattering and pretty!! Awesome!

Carol said...

I love this dress on you! I didn't give the style a second look when I saw it in Burda, but made up on you, it's incredible! The colour is perfect, too. I had a piece of fabric in my hand this morning that I think I will pull out and make into this dress!

judy said...

I loved the last dress, but I love this one even more! It looks awesome on you! I like yours much better than the line drawing!

Gail said...

Hey girl you beat me to it. I thought I'd be so original making this dress into a short casual dress. At least I know that the idea works. You look fabulous.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE this dress. I love this dress on you. What a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday. Oh and Happy Bday!

senaSews said...

Beautiful dress. You look fabulous in it!

Marie-Christine said...

Oh, TWO birthday dresses! And both gorgeous too. Now that should really be ushering in a doubly good year :-).

BrusselsSprout_Katharine said...

You look fabulous!

Adelaide B said...

Wow. This one is even more hubba hubba than the last one! (I don't usually use the phrase "hubba hubba," but it seems appropriate in this case.)

ClaireOKC said...

Va-va-va-voom!!!!

cidell said...

Is this the last of our photo shoots? Oh, no, I hope not! You look so pretty. The dress neckline is just so flattering on you and the color looks rich :)

amber said...

That is a great Vegas dress! Very pretty on you.

Cennetta said...

Wow! You are a non-stop beautiful dress maker/designer. You've made some "TDF" dresses. Bravo!

LaKaribane said...

I think I need two birthday dresses too this year, LOL!

It's just so fantastic!!!

My word is "drout", yikes, is that a bad omen?

Karin van Dam said...

I think the dress is cute, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon!

Barbara at Cat Fur Studio said...

Betty Rubble, you are most certainly not. You are way hotter :) A great job on this dress! Fun you got to wear it in Las Vegas.