Electric Party Dress

I wouldn't say that this project was a "perfect marriage of fabric and pattern", but I did make it to wear to the wedding and reception of some friends that are the perfect couple! Congrats Sarah and Eric!

The fabric was a "deal of the day" from Mood Fabrics a couple of months ago. It was the color (and the price) that sold me! "Electric Fuschia" is what the tag said, and for half off ($6.99/yd), I picked up 3 yards, not sure what it would become yet. It was exactly the amount needed to make Vogue 8997, and although I was tempted to make the typical black cocktail dress, this fabric just kept asking to become a party dress.

I picked up 3 yards of lining at Joann's and got started Tuesday night. I worked on it an hour here and an hour there during the week, and finished tacking down the lining at 4:30pm Saturday, walking out the door an hour later! Here's the inside of the bodice:

 

 

I don't think it was the perfect fabric for this project, though... I followed the pattern's recommendation to interface all the bodice pieces, but I should've also stabilized the skirt seams (at least at the top, through the waist area), as the puckering was really irritating me. It also wrinkled so easily... I knew that my back side would be a mess from the car ride before we even got there. This fabric is made more for blouses and tops... but, I sure did get lots of compliments on the color!

The pattern is drafted beautifully and the instructions are great. I only strayed twice... once for the cutting layout (they recommend cutting a single layer, but I folded my 3 yards in half (1.5 yd x 45") and fit all my pieces just fine (size 14) with all the pattern pieces following the grain line. I also lowered the center front neckline about 1", as I wanted it to be a little bit sexier. Once I had the dress layer done with zipper, I simply put it on, and pulled out the stitches from top down until I was happy with the neckline.

Please pardon the wrinkles, pics taken after wearing!

The sizing on the pattern paper was accurate, and this pattern offers the "custom fit" multiple cup sizes for the bust. I made the size 14, C cup, and it's spot on. I hemmed it 1.5" and *love* the swishing-whisper sound it makes when I walk! I forewarn you to machine hem this dress, though... 4 yards of hemline by hand will be time consuming!

Back view

I'm certain that I'll be using this pattern again in the near future (with the standard neckline provided), as it is a great dress for just about any occasion. It has classic style, with feminine lines (did you see the flutter sleeve version?) and was really straight-forward to make. In a "beefier" fabric, you could either line just the bodice, or forego the lining all-together and use bias tape to finish the neckline and armholes.  It's winning pattern, you'll see it from me again, I'm sure of it!

Perfect Timing, Lucky Me!!!

Isn't it nice when things fall together in a nice way? When luck gifts you something great in a timely manner?  Last week (in the midst of the 14" snowfall and Polar Vortex freeze), my phone "dinged" and I saw this notification:

Now, the funny thing... I have 2 Twitter accounts, this is my "Math Teacher" one that I use to communicate to students! If you want to follow me there, you'll find me as @KrisBalinski where I follow fashion and sewing and fun stuff, like celebrities. Otherwise, you'll get homework reminders and math problems... :(

Anyway, HOW LUCKY AM I?!?!?!?! $200 credit at Mood Fabrics? It's like the best early birthday gift possible!!!! I never thought I'd utter these words, but seriously, "THANK YOU, MOOD!"
If you have a blog and would like the chance to win such an awesome prize package by entering the "I Sew Mood" badge program, just hop over to Mood Fabrics to see the rules and get the badge you see in the upper right corner of my blog.

What to buy? What to buy?  I've dreamed of creating a wardrobe from Mood Fabrics (although shopping the NYC store in person was part of the dream), but where to start? And then, yesterday, in the most timely way, this challenge appeared in my facebook newsfeed:

With guidance and pacing and Pinterest, I can do this!!! I've started pinning to a board for this, along with a "Mood Board" at the Mood Fabrics website, which is a great way to keep my "fabric thoughts" organized over a longer period of time! Monthly prizes and a Grand Prize, too? I'm probably pushing my luck, but regardless, I *should* end up with a fantastic sewn wardrobe, which is a pretty great thing!  If you'd like to join in the fun, follow this link to the rules at Angela Wolf's page!

So, with my inspiration in mind and challenge in hand... I'm on the lookout for pretty fabrics and patterns that are feminine, soft, and easy to wear. Simple and classic lines in coordinating colors and prints: seafoam green, ivory, hazy blues, sand... garments that would get packed for a weekend away at the beach, with a slight nod to a vintage vibe. 

Slim fit capris, striped top, side zip shorts, a lacy t-shirt, cable knit pullover, long A-line skirt... and a sundress, of course. Something like that?  Check out my board at Pinterest, and see if you catch my drift. I was slow to join, but now that I have... I. Love. Pinterest.  Great links for sewing tips, fashion ideas... and dinner! Can't beat one-stop-shopping, right?

One more challenge floated in this morning via facebook, that I'm going to try to fulfill, too. The EvaDress Pattern Contest. Emma One Sock is a sponsor, and that's how it showed up on my newsfeed. I wasn't familiar with EvaDress Patterns, but it's a pattern shop of "reproductions of patterns dating from the 1860's through the 1950's that are in public domain" with some new patterns inspired by vintage fashions. I immediately fell in love with this 1939 evening dress pattern:

I'd shorten my version to make it more wearable, but isn't it lovely? It fits perfectly into my "storyboard" for the warmer months. You can tell that I'm done with winter at this point, I've got visions of sundresses dancing in my head!

 

p.s. The "Birthday Dress" is very nearly done... I should be able to finish it this weekend. It's turning out so well, and I have to laugh... a sure sign that I've "matured" is my new found ability to hand-stitch with patience! Hoping for good (enough) weather to snap some pictures next week!