Friday, January 17, 2014

This is 40.


The big Four-Oh. 40 years of being a daughter and a sister. 28 years of sewing experience. 20 years since I met my husband. 15 years of marriage. 16 years of being a teacher. 10 years of being a parent.  Wow. Makes me tired just thinking about it! Earlier today, my husband sent me some stats about 1974...
Cost of a gallon of Gas 55 cents
Average cost new car$3,750.00
Average Cost of new house $34,900.00
Average Income per year $13,900.00
 My mom told me once that she was watching the Mary Tyler Moore show when she went into labor with me. Yup, that pretty much fits the bill, huh?

So, here we are in 2014, and while I didn't have anywhere to where it to, I'm sure I'll find something will come up soon! Like I said in my earlier post, I used Vogue 8766. In hindsight, I wish I'd altered the neckline. There's just something too "round" about it that is bugging me, I really do prefer the boatneck style that the designers used.  2 yards of tropical wool (I think from Gorgeous Fabrics, like 2 years ago), 2 yards of nude poly lining (Joann's), 2 yards of Venice lace and 2 yards of faux leather trim. Lining with the opaque nude was darn-near brilliant, as it totally blocks any possibility of "see through".
    
Inside of front bodice with neckline facing and armhole.
Placing the lace flat edges together was a great way to fake a double-scallop edge lace! I zig-zagged it together, then hand-stitched it to the waist seam. The leather trim was made like a single-fold bias tape, so I opened up one fold, stitched it down, flipped it over, and top-stitched along both edges. The bow was handstitched at the center front. I came so close to the pattern repeating perfectly at center back, but was just a smidge off!
The dress went together very easily, I followed the instructions and just had to get creative and think through the lace application. I can't decide if I like the black heels or sand ones better. Opinions???

 I tacked the lace down by hand, at the peak of each scallop. I let the bottom edge hang loosely, but I may need to tack it down a little. It's riding up on the sides here, making it look weird. Here's the back view.

Overall, it's a nice dress. Almost too nice! Paired with the black jacket, it still seems too dressy for work, so I'll hang onto it until the right occasion comes along. Little Man is making his First Communion this spring, and it seems like a good dress for that event! 

My only complaint about the pattern is the sleeve. I don't understand why they chose to use 3 darts instead of easing it in like normal. It gives the sleeve cap some stiff fullness that has an 80's vibe to it. No? Do you think so? Also, there was too much fullness in the sleeve width for me. I took it in about an inch at the hem, grading it in to nothing where the sleeve seam meets the bodice.
In the end, it's a pretty dress. I'm not sure if it turned out exactly how I expected. When I put it on, I'm not sure that it's "me". Maybe it's that funny thing that happens at this age, the discrepancy between the age you feel, the age you look, and the age you actually are. Right now, I wish I had the energy to put this dress on, head to the casino, and play some roulette or craps. But, actually, this cozy couch and blanket are feeling fantastic, and I'm getting more tired by the sentence! I'll close with this wonderful quote by Sophia Loren... “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." 

28 comments:

Unknown said...

The dress turned out beautiful and looks lovely on you! I like the nude heel the best, but both work.
Happy Birthday!

becki-c said...

Stunning! You look so slim and svelte! I have adored that Valentino dress and yours is even prettier.

becki-c said...

PS. Happy Birthday, 40 sure is fabulous!

Lori said...

Happy Birthday you look fabulous and the dress is spectacular.

glorm said...

You made your mother miss the ending of Mary Tyler Moore????

Congratulations. It sounds as if you have a wonderful life. The dress is beautiful.

fabric epiphanies said...

Happy Birthday. Fourty is not so bad, says I who just turned 45. Your dress is lovely and I hope you find the occasion to wear it soon.

CindyP said...

I love it. I think I like the black shoes with it. Live the appliqués and leather trim too. Very pretty dress on a beautiful woman. I think 40 is the best age. You're past all the silliness of youth, you are in charge of your life. I know it seems like you always have been, but there's something about 40 that brings a new inner strength and freedom. Happy Birthday Kris.

RhondaBuss said...

Forty, fabulous and fit!! You wear it oh so well, your age as well as the dress :)

L said...

My gosh, Kristine. You've done it again! You are truly the knockoff queen!! The dress fits you perfectly and is very chic. I googled some images of the dress and other similar styles; most are warn with nude shoes. I think the nude shoes force the eye to focus solely on the dress.

Happy birthday to you! I was born in '75 and have no idea what I plan to do next year. I just want to make it there. =)

Mariela Alethia said...

Happy birthday, the dress is beautiful.

Dawn said...

Happy, happy, happy birthday!!! The dress turned out fantastic! Love that lace!

Taivahalla said...

Happy Birthday!

I've been watching the progress on this dress and couldn't wait to see it finished. It's gorgeous! And you look great. I think either shoe looks good.

Hope this year is the best!

Karen

Taivahalla.blogspot.com

Shannon said...

Happy Birthday! This dress looks stunning on you- it turned out great!

Digs said...

Happy Birthday! You look fabulous, and the dress is gorgeous: I love the way the lace highlights your waistline.

Miasews said...

That's a beautiful dress, the lace is just the right size. You look gorgeous for 40 and I'm sure you will have a wonderful year.

Marybeth said...

Happy birthday! You look beautiful!!!

HeathersSphere said...

Happy Birthday! You look fantastic in your stunning dress. :-)

Gail said...

Happy birthday and congratulations on creating such a great dress. You were born the year I finished high school, so 40 seems young to me!

Kyle said...

Happy Birthday!!!
I agree with L about the nude shoes.

BeccaA said...

Happy birthday! Congratulations on your gorgeous designer dress. I love the way you tacked the lace together to get the width you needed.

Dana said...

Happy Birthday! I love how the dress turned out.

Anonymous said...

Happy 40th Birthday! Great info, I love a good research project! Your dress is so flattering as well. Great colours and I love the lace waistband.

Anonymous said...

Oh my!!! You make 40 look fabulous!
Love the beautiful dress!!! You are so talented!!:)

sewingkm said...

You certainly look fabulous and don't look 40! Although the dress is truely beautiful especially the lace trim, I do agree with you about the round neckline being a bit "off". Perhaps a lacey-type or plain black necklace would be an option for you.

Karen

Dharma said...

Happy Birthday! You look wonderful in the dress.

Beth said...

Happy Belated Birthday. The dress is beautiful, I think the round neckline to very attractive on you. It looks great on you and you did a beautiful sewing job on it, as usual.

Dawn said...

Where are you for three months??!!! You can't bee too busy to sew!!!!!!1

Nkem said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO U