As I explained last year with the making of the Christmas Skirt, making something to wear on Christmas Day is a tradition I decided to bring back from the days my mum used to make me a new Christmas, or school break-up free each year.
This year was no different. When I picked up this gorgeous soft cotton drill from Mood Fabrics in New York in late October, I knew it would be a Christmas Dress. It was summery, light and cotton, and if I made it in a Not Sorbetto tea dress style it could look quite classic and wearable.
Question: What does this photo tell you?
Answer: I need to find a red vintage handbag to wear with this dress.
Question: What does this photo tell you?
Answer 1: That it was fortunate I didn't end up with a rose motif over each boob, a la the Jesus arms butt skirt.
Answer 2: That I don't do blond surfer streaks in my hair very well.
To be perfectly honest I'm getting a teensy bit tired of the Not Sorbetto (Simplicity 2938). Not wearing it mind you - just making it. I have quite a few versions of the Not Sorbetto in top and dress form hanging in my closet. It's a brilliant pattern, but enough might soon be enough. So I decided to change the neck details on this dress - instead of the inverted pleat at the centre, and the two knife pleats on the outside, I gathered the neck instead. I like the effect. If the facing actually decided to ever sit where it is supposed to, I would totally LOVE the effect.
I felt this dress needed something at the waist. I toyed with the idea of making a red belt to go with it, but then realised that all it needed was a little red trim.
Besides who needs to be wearing a belt on Christmas Day when your brother has cooked an amazing feast? Belts out a notch, anyone?
Luckily I had the perfect amount of red baby ric-rac in my stash from the Blythe clothes-making days to embellish my dress with. And I discovered that baby ric-rac is quite the little bastard when it comes to attaching it by machine. I tried three times, and ended up with a wonky mess each time. In the end I hand stitched the ric-rac down which took a couple of hours, but the result was worth it.
I did my third ever hand-picked zipper. I love doing these. I actually find them easy to do, and they are so accurate too. Much better than sewing in by machine and I love the look of those tiny little stitches.
I really love this dress and I think it might be my favourite dress of all time. I love the softness and also the density of the fabric. And the print is amazing with its pixellated roses almost looking a little like camo close up. I wore it tonight to dinner with friends and on the walk to the restaurant I felt taller and straighter than I have in a while. It's almost like I feel I have to have a better posture in order to belong in this dress. And that's a really good thing.
I have a wedding in late April to attend in Bowral and I think it might be a contender against the White Flowers dress I made for my brother's wedding. Matched with the red silk/satin wedding stole from my own wedding, I think it could look pretty cool.
Beautiful dress Michelle, tis stunning. I really like the baby ric rac, it's a really clever idea.
ReplyDeletegreat dress - gorgeous fabric.
ReplyDeletegood luck finding a red vintage bag :)
I love this dress - it is so beautiful, and really suits you!
ReplyDeleteLove the gathered neckline too!
x
Beautiful fabric and dress Michelle:) And yes, before you even asked the question I thought "she needs a red handbag!" so you better start looking:) Cyndy
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you love it, it's beautiful! Hand picked zip... is that just hand-sewn? Is it a special technique? Linkies? Tips?! ;)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant dress - now that you have started this tradition for XMas you will have to outdo yourself each year!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous dress Michelle. It looks beautiful on you. I particularly like how the waist sits and the red ric rac detail.
ReplyDeletelove the neckline. Kx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress! I just love that fabric!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks great on you and your shoes rock. You have fabulous shoes.
Bev V.
AND then you have the perfect rationale for being the new red bag!
ReplyDeleteI love having a new outfit for Christmas. Mine are not usually handmade though like your GREAT dress! Gorgeous fabric, great pattern, nice finishing!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Michelle! It's a beautiful dress, and you look lovely in it. I think a litte green handbag would also look great, so that it's not too with it.
ReplyDelete:-)
xxx K
Ooop!I meant to sign off with "J" of course!
ReplyDeleteYou're a veritable inspiration, you are. And that Jesus Arms Butt Skirt has its own je ne sais quoi. (grin).
ReplyDeleteOh so cute! You look great!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress. Love the rickracks and the handpick zipper.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress - the gathered neckline and ric rac are perfect
ReplyDelete(And yes, lucky with the rose placements)
Wow, this is a beautiful dress. I love all the little extras: the gathered neckline, the ric-rac, the hand picked zipper, just gorgeous. And the big plus is that you now NEED a red vintage handbag! x
ReplyDeleteThe fabric is very cute. The neckline is lovely. Well done.
ReplyDelete