B Dress, Part 3

My, oh my! Thanks so much for all the kind words! Yes, it's coming together and whenever you can start to see your project take shape, it feels good!  Sorry for going MIA, but other responsibilities called (you know, that whole wife, mom, teacher thing I have going on...), and I just kept working away in small increments, 30 minutes here, 30 minutes there.

I put the back together the same way as the front, but it was easier to match the stripes since the curves weren't as extreme. I joined the front and back together at the side seams, but didn't touch the shoulders (you'll see why shortly).  I assembled the lining completely (so much easier with no fabric to create and stripes to match!) and quickly, using a "Posh Lining" from Joann's. I  hemmed the lining, and stabilized the center back openings of the "fashion fabric" layers with a 1" strip of fusible interfacing (for the installation of the exposed zipper later).

Time to marry the layers! With right sides together (and shoulder seams open), I pinned and then stitched the 2 layers together, from center back bottom hem, up the center back, along the back neck. I folded over the lining layer 5/8" at the shoulder seam (to be closed later by hand), and skipped over the shoulder, starting the stitching together again around the armhole (skip the shoulder), around the neck front (skip the shoulder), around the armhole (skip the shoulder), to back neck opening, then down the center back again to the hem.  I trimmed the seam allowances, and snipped along the curves, then pressed all those nice clean edges.  Now, I was ready to stitch the shoulder seams, closing the lining by hand there...

I hemmed the dress by hand, using ivory thread and black thread in their respective locations, and anchored the lining to the dress hem at the side seams.  I've taken such great care with this project, it's become a labor of love, and I can't remember the last time I paid such close attention to detail for a garment for myself! (NYC Chanel Jacket - Sit & Sew with King and Khalje, probably!!!)

Time for the "Piece de Resistance": The Zipper! From the beginning of this project, I knew that The Zipper was key. It needed to run the length of the center back and be magnificent. I can't thank Ann enough for volunteering to pick up the perfect zipper in NYC for me! She did a marvelous job, and sent me the most amazing black satin zipper from Botani. It's 33" of black satin fabulous, with nickel teeth. Freaking Awesome.

I basted it down by hand, and the machine stitched in in place, with the top wrapped over the back neckline and anchored inside. Since I added 3" in length to "my version", the zipper is 3" too short, so I left the center back seam open at the bottom, like a vent.

It's done! It's finished! It's fabulous!  Now to get the photo shoot done so I can submit my entry! I'll be back soon with those pics... I'm so happy with this dress, I don't even have words. Woo hoo!!!