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Monday, July 6, 2009

BWOF 04-2009-102, Summer Happy Hour Dress

BWOF 04-2009-102 Thumbnail

So as soon as it started getting warm all the girls of DC busted out their strappy sundresses. I was struck with jealousy and also amazement at the fact that I do not have a single strappy sundress in my closet. The closest I come is my goddess dress, which is not spaghetti straps. So I neeeeeeeded one.

When I found this fabric at G Street on the bargain table in April, I was thrilled. It's lace, it's tiered, it's stretch--perfect for a quick, easy wearing, fashionable summer happy hour dress. I snatched up enough for a dress and a super-easy elastic skirt (haven't made the skirt yet) and sewed it up within a few days.

When I got home I went through the BWOFs and decided on 04-2009-102. In the magazine, I thought the photo for the top version was a jersey (turns out it was a silk), but this pattern is in fact for wovens. Pfft. I treat that as a mere suggestion (not the other way, though; I would never attempt to turn a knit pattern into a woven one). Since the fit in the woven is intended to be very body conscious at the bodice, I didn't need to size down to use a knit. Well, I did have to size down because the smallest size was a 36, but I would have sized down to a 34 in the woven, too.

There is really not so much to say about this dress, other than it's easy but has a nice impact.

-In cutting the slinky underlining for the lower front piece, which has the drape/cascade/whatever you want to call it, I cut the underlining off along neckline to reduce the bulk.

-I used a heavy woven interfacing on the upper front bodice so the square neckline would stay square and stand up. It does those two things; however, it pulls/opens outward a little bit at the upper edges. I experiment with putting boning along the center front edges and it had no effect so I didn't end up adding any.

Line bodice-In addition to the colored slinky underlining (the leftovers from my mom's Knip Mode gather front tee), I lined the bodice to get a clean finish. As you can see, I tacked down the drape/cascade by sewing the lining over it. I should probably trim off the excess but I haven't bothered to do so yet.

-I used elastic for the straps, which was actually kind of dumb. I don't know what I was thinking. It's too stretchy and I think the elastic isn't strong enough to hold up the dress for too many wearings (what with the slinky and all the volume it is quite heavy). I keep meaning to pick up some flat lace to sew on top for some stability. The good thing about elastic is that it doesn't fall off my shoulders.

-Left out the zipper.

Add Back Darts-Even though part of the beauty of this dress is that it's shapeless and therefore you can eat as much as you want while wearing it, it was a little too sacky when completed. I added back darts to give it a tad more shape.

Front


I am very pleased with my summer happy hour dress. It's cute, fashionable, comfortable, easy to wear, and a little bit sexy. I am always conflicted about making clothes I can't wear to work, because the number of occasions to dress for that don't involve work are rather embarrassingly small sometimes when I have gotten lazy about my social life, but I've already made several opportunities to wear this one and I think it has served its purpose well.

All photos are here and the pattern review is here.

26 comments:

  1. Pretty and sexy - it's all a girl could ask for! I've wondered since I first saw the pattern if/how it would stay up/keep its shape, so it's interesting to see how you made it. Have fun at the happy hour!

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  2. Super cute dress. I love the fabric and the contrasting lining. Beautiful!

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  3. This is super cute - now you have to go out more!

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  4. super cute!! I love the lace fabric. Honestly I did have to eek a little at the elastic straps. I have a very active imagination and I dread the thought of a wardrobe malfunction...LOL! But like I said, looks FAB!!

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  5. Adorable dress on you...good interpretation of the fabric...can't wait to see the skirt!

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  6. Love your happy hour dress. We'll be doing our summer college tour in August - but unfortunately won't make it down to DC. Wishing you a wonderful summer, and looking forward to the next time we see you in Paris. K

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  7. I love this! Perfect HH dress. I need a dress for Vegas soon, I wonder if I have a fabric that would work with this style...

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  8. Great dress. Very flirty.

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  9. You look so cute. Have fun on your nights off in your new strappy sundress.

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  10. What a great dress. Very flattering and what a great color...on you! Another thing I just get to drool over.

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  11. Love it. It looks great on you.

    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  12. Love the lace/slinky combination, the lace really shows off this way! Very cute dress for having a very good time!!

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  13. Sexy dress, T! Here's a summer read for you: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane.

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  14. Wow, knock 'em dead! Watch out boys! LOL.

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  15. Cute dress. Love the colors. Love that you can eat as much as you want while wearing it!!

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  16. Fun dress! Now go have some fun in it!

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  17. Love the dress - it looks like it is made for fun!

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  18. Beautiful! Compliments both your figure and your coloring! Great way to go!

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  19. Very cute dress, much better for a happy hour dress than a wedding dress a la Burda I think. That was a great fabric find too.

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  20. Beautiful color combination. I didn't think to make this dress because I didn't think it would be flattering, but it looks great on you. I have some jersey prints coming to me in the mail...

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  21. Great DC happy hour dress! I work in DC and haven't been to one a while...I'll have to make a point to go soon!

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  22. Your choice of fabric makes this such an elegant dress. Very different than the style in the magazine.

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  23. I love, love, love this dress. Now if I was as in shape as you are. LOL. Great job and it looks fabulous!

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  24. Ooooo - I did this dress, a little different version and I love it - I fit the bust to a tee and it looks like a million bucks on me...I haven't looked (and felt) so sexy in decades!!! Your's looks smashing!

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  25. Really nice dress, cute, sexy, but not too much, nice fabric. This dress wouldn't work on me, but I really like it on you. I like the length, I don't like the long version.

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  26. WOW, I love it! You look stunning!

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