Dresses – Page 5

Blue Rose Dress by Tracey

Pattern, drafted by Tracey and Lindsey Knott

Fabric, Liberty Voile (silk and cotton blend) from B&J Fabrics

When I was bitten by the sewing bug, I decided that my best strategy to get better was to surround myself with talented and experienced people and absorb everything I could. I’ve been so lucky to have found wonderful teachers who have helped me to get further along on my sewing journey and I plan on talking about each and every one on my blog. Today, it’s Lindsey’s turn! Lindsey is the head stitcher in the costume shop at the Atlanta Ballet and also a graduate of the fashion department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She is a supremely talented woman and absolutely lovely to be around. I convinced her to take time out of her very busy schedule to come to my house once a week to work with me on pattern making. And somehow, between the dogs barking, and the kids home sick from school, and workmen around the house, she managed to pass on her pattern making knowledge which I am so grateful for!

This dress is a product of our work together. (Lindsey also helped me with my French Vest.) The skirt is two layers of voile at different hem lengths. I decided to use the wrong side of the Liberty print fabric because it has the sun faded look that I wanted. I lined the bodice in the same fabric so that the right side of the fabric faces the inside of the garment. (I love that the inside of the dress is as wonderful as the outside.) I used french seams throughout the dress which definitely got a little complicated at times with the different layers and trying to remember the wrong side is really the right side and to sew the wrong side together first then the right side together next which is really the wrong side. You see what I mean. And if you don’t see what I mean, then you know exactly how I felt making it! But eventually it all came together. I went a little to deep with the neckline. I’m still trying to master the fit of a neckline and I’m a little baffled that I have so much trouble with it. I struggle to get them to lay the way I want. But I guess that’s one of the aspects of sewing that keeps it interesting–there’s always a problem to solve, a challenge to meet.

Oh, yes, I almost forgot to mention these photographs were taken in Savannah. Such a beautiful place!! Santiago and I did a few photo shoots while we were there, so look for more images from Savannah this summer.

See you next Sunday! You won’t want to miss it. We are going to show you some of my favorite necklaces ever. And Santiago really outdid himself with the images. Have a great week!

Bohemian Tea Dress by Tracey

Pattern, Burda 112

Liberty wool/cotton blend, B&J Fabrics

Photography by Santiago Vanegas

Can I be honest about this dress? I’m kind of on the fence about it. Throughout the process of making it, I felt like everything was on track and it was shaping up to be exactly what I wanted. But when I finished and put it on, I was underwhelmed. It isn’t an obvious miss, but something is not quite right. I think the issues might be in the waist area. The center front panel is supposed to lie flat while the side panels are gathered. The gathers pull the front in a weird way that looks a little off. The belt helps with the overall look, but I had hoped to wear this dress without a belt too, and there is just no way. (To see the dress without a belt, click here.) If I had been buying this dress, I would have been in the fitting room a long time trying to make up my mind about it. And I am someone who makes up my mind FAST. We’ve all been there. If you buy it, it ends up sitting in your closet unworn. But if you don’t, you regret it, and it becomes a better dress in your mind. You have those days when you think, “I should have gotten that dress, it would have been perfect today”. But if you really had the dress, you would put it on, and then take it right back off again. You see where I am with this thing. Well, I made it, and it will be in my closet. We’ll have to wait and see if it gets worn. I sure do love the photographs, though! Very trippy! Obviously, Santiago can make anything look good.

Next Sunday, The Joy of Silk. Have a great week, and stay warm!!