Never had my picture taken in front of one of these "red carpet banners" before, so I couldn't resist! It's DH behind the camera, not the press!!! Pattern: McCall's 6505 (Phoebe Couture)
I cut the size 14 (which has been fitting like a glove, but I knew from the flat pattern measurements that it would need to be sized down. The dress has much more of an A-line shape than the illustration/photo shows. I left the sleeves off, and used the outer "lace" pattern pieces as the lining, since my lace wasn't sheer. Alterations: -I took in the side seams 1/2" from the armhole to the waist, then grading out to 1 1/2" at the hem. -I added waist darts to the front piece, because without them this dress just falls slightly away from the body, hanging off the bust. With a slightly heavier fabric and the desire to belt it in the future, I needed a more contoured fit. I used a different sheath pattern from the stash and transferred the markings. I did the "sewing room happy dance" when I pressed and the darts were invisible! (Isn't DH extra handsome in uniform???)
Construction: Very straight forward! I whipped this up between a evening and a morning. I placed the hem at the selvedge, to take advantage of the "just lace" edge. Everything was normal and easy until I had to attach the lining. Since I strayed from the pattern lining and used the outer pieces, I sewed them right sides together all the way around the neck line, trimming, turning, and pressing the finished neckline. I finished the armholes by hand, machine stitching the seam line, clipping and pressing it flat, then hand-stitching the two layers together along the stitched seam line. I love the back, as it has a back "V" that is very pretty. Supplies: I lined it with ivory china silk from Gorgeous Fabrics, as I wanted a natural fiber that was light as air. I used a black invisible zipper, and 1.5 yds (60") of the lace covered wool from Haberman Fabrics. All in all, this dress cost under $50. But, the belt would change that price... I gotta story about that! I went to the Michael Kors Outlet store at the local mall and spent my Christmas money on a fabulous tweed dress that came with this thin black leather belt. It was on the clearance rack, which happened to be 50% off that day... so the dress and belt came to a whopping... $50. I'll show you the dress time, but isn't that a great belt???
The Event: The Pontiac Fire Dept. was holding a funeral... for itself. The city fell into financial crisis, and the governor placed an "Emergency Financial Manager" in charge of correcting the problem. He has dismantled the police department (the county deputies now patrol there), and now has dissolved the fire department. PFD has 180 year history, and fights multiple house fires every day, along with transporting many patients to the hospital. Our friends on the fire department will be now employed by a neighboring community, and last night's event was to honor the legacy of the past and present that made the department a true Brotherhood. As of Tuesday, the PFD will no longer exist, and this was their good-bye. It was sad, it was humbling, and it makes me angry. Detroit is about to fall prey to the same situation, and it's very scary. Just Google it, and see for yourself. DH, along with firefighters from other communities, came to bear witness and honor the department.
So, there you have it. ALL the details! Sorry it was a novel, but thanks for reading to the end! In conclusion, I love this fabric and will get lots of use out of this dress! The pattern needs tweaking, I strongly recommend you muslin it first and make sure it hangs the way you want. Have a great sewing week!!!
18 comments:
Really really gorgeous! I love the way you used the lace edge for the hem! No pictures of the back?
Beautiful dress! It looks great on the red carpet.
Lovely!
you look fantastic!
Thanks for the red carpet shots because you look amazing in your dress. Your husband looks great in his uniform also!
Ooh, pretty dress! You look gorgeous in it! I've been really wanting a lace dress too, and bought this pattern for its parts. IF I ever get around to it, I plan to make my dress out of a frankenpattern.
Your dress is stunning. Sorry to hear about the Fire Dept.
You look fabulous.
Since I am originally from the Detroit area, it is especially sad to see what is happening to the great state of Michigan. RIP Pontiac Police and Fire Departments.
Gorgeous dress and it looks completely right for you to be standing in front of a backdrop looking all movie star like!
Your dress looks amazing!
Thanks for the details as well as the explanation of the event.
You look so good in this outfit. It fits to perfection and adding the waist darts was a smart call. Love your red carpet shots. I bet your hubby will now have to explain where the trophy wife came from ;)
Gosh, you look amazing! (And tiny!!!)
Your dress is really lovely and what a nice tribute to wear something you put in so much time and effort. My father retired from Pontiac Motors. I am so sorry to watch the city struggle so.
Wow, you look so fabulous. Well done!
Well you look fabulous and your DH looks very sharp and the only shame is that it was for such a sad event. I get angry every time I think of places like Detroit (or Pontiac or anywhere that is in the same sad situation).
I vote for a shot of the back of the dress too!
You look amazing! Job well done on the dress.
Please do post a shot of the back of this dress!
I wouldn't have thought that boiled wool could be used in this way -- it must be the lightest weight boiled wool imaginable.
Lace is a secret love of mine -- when I finally sew with it, I hope I'm as successful as you've been.
Nina L
Your dress is beautiful and your husband looks so proud of you.
I've read about some of the things that have been happening in Michigan lately and as a Michigander, whose heart is still there even though I now live in Tennessee, I cry for you all. I just hate this "manager" business. Lovely towns and cities are being destroyed. I am so sorry.
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