I’m calling this my Anna Wintour dress, because it reminds me of the brightly patterned sheath dresses the Vogue editor favors. I like the classic and timeless appeal of this particular design. It looks like it might stay in style for a few years, right? I figure this dress will be my number one pick to wear to weddings, graduations and other spring/summer events.
Ok, so here are the construction details, to recap:
- Used McCalls 6460, and I highly recommend this basic pattern with different cup sizes. I made a muslin and worked it enough so the finished dress fit me like a glove. The only variance I made was to omit the bias binding around the neck (more just a lack of time factor than anything else).
- Fabric is a poly-blend brocade from Mood, available in the NYC store and LA stores, and here at Moodfabrics.com. Take a look at this photo below and you can see how vivid the colors are and how interesting the texture is.
- Interlined the entire dress with silk organza. This did two things: Gave the fashion fabric a little more body, so it does not wrinkle at all, and allowed me to hide catch-stitching in the organza rather than in the brocade.
- Lining is fuchsia silk charmeuse, which I attached to the dress by fell-stitching at the neck, sleeves and back zipper seam.
- Back zipper is pick-stitched. Originally I had inserted an invisible zipper, but I did not like the way it pulled and showed the teeth (told you this dress was close-fitting), so I opted for a pick-stitched zipper. (Do not be afraid of pick-stitched zippers: They are fast and easy to insert.)
- If you want to make a dress quickly, go with a raglan sleeve pattern. You can save a lot of time if you don’t have to obsess over a perfect sleeve head. (I’m a sleeve-head obsesser.)
- I had the fabric-covered belt done by a woman in California who makes covered belts and buckles. She works quickly and her rates are reasonable (unfortunately she does not have an online site.) Details: Pat’s Custom Buttons and Belts. Call her at 1-209-369-5410 to receive a catalog, or write to her at Pat Mahoney, PO Box 335, Lodi, CA 95241.
Bottom line: This dress is a keeper! The fabric is a little pricier than what I usually spend on fabric, but it is the star of the dress and looks rich and expensive. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and family members were very complimentary when I wore it to a Father’s Day dinner last Sunday. (Usually I have to fish for compliments from my husband and kids, as in “Ahem, would you please look up from the TV and tell me how wonderful I look in this [insert article of clothing here] I made?” I’m needy when it comes to compliments about the things I’ve sewn.)
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Speaking of Italian brocades, we just got in a huge shipment of beautiful and unique brocades from Italy. Some really stunning fabrics in this collection, and now they’re also available at MoodFabrics.com.
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Birthday boy Swatch with his fans in the NYC store today.
Happy 5th birthday to our beloved mascot Swatch! He’s been coming to the store with owner Eric Sauma since he was a wee pup, and he is definitely our most popular salesperson. The Mood staff loves Swatch too, and we miss him when he takes a day off due to rain or snow (he does not like either). XOXO to you, Swatchie!
Nice work. I love to underline and interline garments. It’s so practical for so many reasons. I would love to see the dress on the body…any chance you can get someone to take a picture of you in the dress?
Gorgeous dress! It’s the perfect pattern to show off a lovely fabric.
The dress is just lovely!! I love the texture of the brocade fabric. My sewing group is planning a trip up to NYC to fabric and trim shop so I’m putting this on my list of things to check out while there, because I always make sure to stop in a Mood. Can’t wait to see your next project.
This is gorgeous, Meg! Beautiful work! I love raglan sleeves, too– the fit is so forgiving and they’re way easier than set-in sleeves.
Meg, it is BEAUTIFUL!!!! (notice all caps – you don’t have to fish for compliments here!) honestly at first I doubted the fabric choice but your keen eye made the combination of bold fabric + elegant pattern = a real winner. Love it!
stunning! i’d say it would never go out of style. and with those colors you’re sure to distract from the tube 🙂
Meg, this is a great dress, and I love the colors, I do!!
and, yes, brocades – I need to get brocade for a fall project…
Gorgeous! Worthy of TV interruption…….
Anna Wintour may have one made on the spot if she sees this beautiful dress. It’s stunning!
Love this dress! The fabric definitely makes it! The tip on underlining the dress and catch stitching hems and seams it is a good one. I don’t always do this because of the work involved but it’s worth it for a couture dress.
Stunning Meg.
Both inside and out.
I am sure Denis was thrilled!
He did like it very much, Joanne.
Very nice dress! I love the colors and the textured look!
Beautiful fabric, beautiful dress. I’m definitely making a trip to Mood sometime this summer.
Beautiful! And the self-fabric belt just makes the look so polished. Love it.
That looks lovely, I am wild for prints and those colors are great. Also I would never have visualized that pattern looking like that, which is always a pleasant surprise! Might have to try it.
Meg, your dress is BEATIFUL. I noticed the belt and was thinking, I wish I knew someone who covered belts — THANKS SOOOO much for sharing the info for the “belt lady”. I love it when people share.
Have a Blessed Day!
Gorgeous! That fabric is absolutely beautiful.
Oh, thank you so much for stopping by my blog today! I feel like a celebrity. Oh I wish I lived there and could shop Mood all the time…I hate to go back to you know where here in Orlando to shop for fabrics, but there is always online shopping.
Carol “The Polka Dot Closet”