Inspiration and the result!

Dolce and Gabanna- the inspiration and the result!

Mission accomplished!

Mission accomplished- at least for now. This dress took so much time. The first one always seems to anyway. I have learned much on this great adventure. First, that I have every conceivable answer to sewing issues in my own personal library- now if I just had the time to read them all. I was in the just- do- it- mode for a while. Then, things started getting tricky.

Sewing is just one big problem to be solved. That is, if you aren't using a pattern! I realized after the fact that I should have used fusible lining for the interlining. That would of helped with the fraying. Tweed unravels so quickly. It can become a mess. I secured the edges as much as possible. Next time, I will try the fusible lining. However, just for the bodice. I ended up liking the body the silk gave the dress in the skirt. Plus, then it is easy to make the fringe at the end. This would not be possible with fusible lining.

The dress turned out to be very pretty. I thought that it would be much easier. I used a lot of hand stitching. Lining the dress, trimming, and pressing took so much time. It is hard to factor that in. The dress only had 5 pattern pieces which I drafted myself. I made a muslin afterward. The whole process took about two weeks total. When I looked at the original picture with Jennifer Aniston, I though the dress would be a piece of cake.

It was no cake. I enjoyed the process though. I left the fringe long on my dress for now. I may cut it. I need to have a fresh pair off hands when I do it though. My husband likes the fringe long. Proportionally, I am not sure. It may get tangled longer too. What do you think? Long or short fringe? I like the pink tweed for the summer. I also did not make the skirt as tight as Jennifer's. Maybe that might look good for the black one I make next time. I want to wear this dress to a wedding and a military ceremony for a new museum. My butt doesn't need to be the highlight either. The fringe is sassy enough!

SO, this is the second dress I have designed myself. This one was fun. It is encouraging when something turns out right. It makes you want to do it again! Thanks for reading and happy sewing to you!

tick tock...

Okay, here goes the zipper. I have the lining in. First, I decided to put seam binding around the armholes because the tweed unravels and I feel it needed more support. Now, I need to put int he zipper. I would have liked to do an invisible zipper however, I did not find the right color. I suppose I could have used white. But, I am picky about things like that! So, in by hand it goes!

Taking shape...

So, it has been a few hours since I last posted. Ugh! Ironing and picking out stitches-not fun. I don't mind ironing actually. I could iron all day. Picking out little stitches-not!

The dress is really beginning to take shape. I am really liking it. I am not sure how I am going to handle the neck and armholes. I haven't used facing and may not choose to. When I took the LBD class on Pattern Review it was suggested to leave out hte facings and go directly to lining. However, with tweed, I am concerned about the stretching. I may do a little research before the lining goes in.

Knock-Off Dolce and Gabana Dress

It is down to the wire for me this morning. I need to sew up the lining and get this dress entry submitted to Pattern Review.com.'s Knock- Off contest.

The dress I am sewing was worn by Jennifer Aniston last fall, and featured in People magazine. I originally thought I might do this dress in a black multi colored tweed. However, I decided to make it in a cheaper fabric first. I always sew things up better the second time around. Plus, this is my pattern. I drafted it and I need to work out the kinks before I use the good stuff!

The dress actually has sewn up fairly easily. I did use a lot of couture hand stitching techniques. After making my muslin, and cutting the fashion fabric, I thread traced the interlining. I couldn't use the wax paper though. It did not leave any marks on the silk organza. I purchased some silk taffeta yesterday for the lining.

I have the dress ready to go for the lining. It should take too long to do.