Thursday, March 22, 2012

Black tie smackdown

We have a niecewedding coming up in Bowral in a week, and I thought I had my outfit sorted. It was either going to be this:

Christmas Frock

Or the dress I wore to the brotherwedding in Brisbane last year:

Dress for Brisbane wedding

Both very fine frocks to wear to a garden wedding in Bowral on a Saturday afternoon at 3 pm, I thought. I neglected the "black tie" note on the invitation. I mean - if the family hasn't understood that in 12 years of marriage I am still going by my maiden name and why I get upset when invites get sent to some woman called Michelle with a last name I have never used, then why should I pay attention to anything that says "black tie"? it's not as if I was going to wear jeans.

Apparently my mother-in-law pays attention. Even though I told her black tie is for weddings that take place after 4.30 pm, she believes that all ladies should be in a floor length ball gown and men should be in bow ties. She also would prefer if we still believed it was 1932. I read my ettiquette websites, where they stated that dresses could also be short or long cocktail, decided to opt for a cocktail dress instead.

As for the bow tie, I've told my husband he'll be going alone if he wears one.

That conversation was on Sunday and sent me into a mad panic. As crass as I am about this black tie business, I don't actually own a cocktail dress. The brotherwedding dress is about as classy as I get, but given my job also means I have to work at some classy events, I figured if I could find a nice cocktail frock online to buy, it wouldn't be wasted.

Two online-bought dresses later, and a two hour trip to the mall one lunchtime, and I realised the only way I was going to get a decent dress that was comfortable, had nice fabric and fitted well was to bloody well sew it myself.

Simplicity 2247

Enter Simplicity 2247 - Amazing Fit. On Monday night I basted together a wearable muslin to see if the shape would suit me.

Simplicity 2247

It did suit me, but I had an annoying problem around the chest where it was too big. I may have used the wrong cup size pattern (I used DD because that's what I am, when in fact if I'd measured myself as per instructions, I would have found out I was a C in a size smaller.  Go figure.)

Simplicity 2247

I'm going to experiment with taking in the underarm seam, and the shoulder seam. Otherwise I'll recut to go down to a C cup (I think the bodice will be too short then, however).

And then I'm going to cut into this.

Simplicity 2247

Yes, tonight at Spotlight I found the perfect fabric, thanks to a friend who came with me to help out. I was getting quite depressed as all the "after 5" fabrics seemed to be spotted taffettas and boxer-short quality satins. Then she found this polyester backed lace, and in my favourite colour of deep red. It's almost the same fabric as my favourite Igigi dress which I would have bought if it had been available in my size. It has a little spandex in the fabric, so the stretch is very similar to the cotton sateen my wearable muslin is in.

Igigi dress

So this weekend I get to sew. Right in the middle of OWOP (One Week, One Pattern), with a pattern that is not my OWOP one. A little warped, but wish me luck!

P.S Yes, I did write "polyester" and "perfect" in the same paragraph.

P.P.S I seem to be sewing to a deadline. This is the first time this has happened since this declaration and I'm not too sure I'm going to be able to cope.

15 comments:

  1. Oh, you had me chortling all the way through this narrative. I love how it's niecewedding or brotherwedding, all one word. I love the way you make the text roll its eyes for you. Good luck, sweetness! I know you'll make a brilliant dress. By the way, you have the most fabulous sandals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh that Igigi dress is stunning and you found possibly the best match possible. Good luck with getting the whole thing done and I am with you on the 'Why can't they get my name right, we have shared it all our lives so it can't be that they find spelling it difficult' thing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I actually think the brotherwedding dress could pass as cocktail. I mean, what makes it 'cocktail' anyway? These fashion terms are a bit beyond me. But, regardless, I am sure the new dress will be gorgeous! Thank you for continuing to amuse and delight us!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love both of the first two dresses. But I also think that you've chosen beautifully for the "cocktail" dress. And yes, I still get mail addressed to my "married" name 13 years later (from MY family!!!! you'd think they'd have figured it out by now too). Enjoy the neicewedding and I look forward to seeing you all glamorous in your new frock.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I *heart* that fabric. I think it will make you almost enjoy your deadline. Happy sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You will look great and I am sure it will be worth it, even if it will be early in the day for such an outfit :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You will look fabulous in the red and lace dress. I agree that black tie at 3pm is rather unusual, but it doesn't hurt to make yourself a gorgeous dress to make other people happy, particularly if you can wear it again. My mother is still cross with my husband because he wore tailored trousers and a checked shirt to my sister's wedding instead of a suit and tie - 14 years ago now! It seems to come up every Christmas.Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh that fabric is just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. On the bright side, you now have a few extra lovely dresses in your wardrobe! That fabric is gorgeous. I too get letters addressed to someone I have never been...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am another who often receives mail address to my mother in law. Sigh. It really gives me the shits. But sometimes my husband is called my Dad's name, so I giggle about that, and let the other slide.

    I think the b&w dress could pass for "black tie" too, but a new dress (or two, if you can save the muslin, which I also love!) never go astray.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Can't wait to see this one done Michelle - the fabric is lovely - my favourite colour too.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That fabric is going to be awesome with that dress.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The first two dresses were hits, but I think the new one int he red will blow them both out of the park!

    ReplyDelete
  14. hi-larious. i agree with every rebellious action, but man, that lacey number is gonna kill. you win either way.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love that IGIGI dress (wanted to buy it too but nowhere to wear it... ever!) it is gorgeous.

    The pattern you chose is great - very classy and the lace/red combo is fantastic, of course. I can't wait to see the finished product!

    I am envious of your amazing sewing skills. ;)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments, but if you're anonymous please tell me who you are.