I bought some proper fabric from a proper fabric store on my birthday to make myself a proper dress. I'm a classic pear shape - almost a size smaller up top than bottom, so fitted dresses are never easy, either to buy or to make for a novice dressmaker like moi. So I decided on a more relaxed shape in a simple chambray/linen kind of fabric. I have no idea what kind of fabric this is actually, but it feels and creases like linen.
I picked up this Cynthia Rowley pattern and spent the next few evenings patiently sewing it up bit by bit. It was super easy to put together but it turned out to be a muumuu of mammoth proportions. Even my normally very kind husband said it looked like a sack dress, so with a few adjustments on the side seams it became a mini muumuu.
I threw caution to the wind and actually wore it out last night without feeling remotely self concious and fidgety as I am apt to be when wearing something I have made in public. Unfortunately though my non-fidgetyness did not last long as it was a very humid evening (in a supposedly swanky outdoor venue which somewhat hilarously clashed with a Megadeth/Slayer/Alice Cooper gig going on nearby) and the dress ended up being quite itchy...
Hmm. Maybe I should have called this post "what I wore to a Megadeth concert"?
Anyhow, the good news is (I'm clinging onto the bright side here) that I don't hate it and I learned how to make ruffles.
Progress!
It looks lovely. Maybe it will be better in the winter after this heat has passed.
Posted by: CJ | July 26, 2010 at 12:47 AM
Love the neck and shoulder line. I hate it when you don't realize something is itchy until you are already in it with no option to change. The fabric looks so pretty you'd never suspect it.
Posted by: Ali | July 26, 2010 at 04:04 AM
I think it looks stunning and very elegant!
Posted by: Gina | July 26, 2010 at 05:16 AM
I think it looks gorgeous. I love the shape of the sleeves and the colour is beautiful - and you can make ruffles.
Posted by: claire | July 26, 2010 at 05:31 AM
It looks amazing, though I had the very same problem with something I made not so long ago - itchy - so it is most definitley being kept for Winter when I can layer it up.
Nina x
Posted by: nina - tabiboo | July 26, 2010 at 05:32 AM
I think it looks lovely... :o)
Lets face it, in the humid Montreal weather everything is itchy!!
Posted by: Sew Create It - Jane | July 26, 2010 at 06:04 AM
The ruffles are most certainly lovely!
Posted by: tracey petersen | July 26, 2010 at 07:44 AM
I think it's lovely!
Though I do now have the Justified Ancients of Muumuu rattling round my brain - thanks for that ;-)
Posted by: dottycookie | July 26, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Oh, it's really lovely. The detail at the neck is just gorgeous. Oh I wish, I wish I could make such things x
Posted by: Emma | July 26, 2010 at 04:04 PM
I love the ruffle at the neckline. Would you be able to wear a thin knit under it for cooler months maybe?
I'm with dottycookie on the Jusitfied Ancients thing now. Darn it.
Posted by: Jo | July 26, 2010 at 06:06 PM
i like your dress ~ the colour is so pretty . sorry to hear it is itchy . maybe a gentle handwash may soften it a little? i like that you see it all in a postive light though ~
wishing you a lovely summer
ginny x
Posted by: ginny | July 27, 2010 at 03:55 AM
Well I think it looks rather beautiful! Love the colour and the shape!!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | July 27, 2010 at 04:03 AM
It may be itchy, but it does look pretty. It will be nice in the cooler weather with thick tights or leggins too. I seriously need to get brave and make something for myself. soon.
Monda
x
Posted by: Monda | July 28, 2010 at 04:55 AM
I actually really like it! You are too funny, lady. And what an evening you had!
Posted by: Jenny | July 30, 2010 at 12:17 PM
You struck the right pose for the picture, then, because it looks great. I'm sorry to hear about the itchiness, though. Hmm, now you've reminded me of the days when my mum would make me wear an itchy kilt to my nan's...
Posted by: UK lass in US | August 02, 2010 at 11:17 AM
ah ah ah ...I had to read your post twice! I was like, what, she went to Heavy MTL ????
and your dress is beautiful :)
Posted by: Claudia | August 07, 2010 at 06:18 PM