Wowza! A very red dress.
So many great ideas, though, that it was hard to combine them all. Some of you said strapless might be good since it is different than the others and it is very bridesmaid-ey. That encouragement helped me look around some more. While sitting with my friend, the bride, we found this J.Crew dress that she thought was really cute, the Leah dress:
So I pulled out my ol' fave McCall's pattern and cut out a modified front piece to allow for the pleats.
You can kinda see here what I did. This is the inside view. I pressed all the pleats in place so the size of the outside matched the lining (it's all the same cotton sateen, lining and outside), sewed the pleats down, and treated it like a regular outside.
Then I assembled it as usual! I didn't use a pattern for the skirt; I debated a full or slimmer skirt and ended up doing the tulip-ey style I like--wider at the top, pleated, and a little narrower at the knees. I just used the width of the fabric and tapered to the bottom.
The skirt was maybe a little too full at the top, but hey--it makes me look like I have hips!
I also gave it the narrow waistband of the J.Crew original. I never would have thought to use such a narrow piece, but it looks cute!
Here is is up close. It looks like a heart! This dress will definitely be good some Valentine's Day.
After my friend's wedding, I'm thinking of adding straps or halter straps or something. I have more fabric. It might make it a little less racy. Wowee, it is a bright color!
Thoughts for modifications after the wedding to make it more wearable?
Update: Here it is in action!
That is STUNNING! I love the sweetheart neckline, and all the details are perfect. You look beautiful! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteAnd leave it to me to comment without reading the entire post first...if you really wanted to make it less racy (although I think it looks perfect on you the way it is), you could try some sort of removable illusion jacket, so it covers without taking away from that perfectly executed sweetheart neckline. Examples:
ReplyDeletehttp://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/52/3/AAAAC4XUWfAAAAAAAFI0zA.jpg?v=1244505773000
http://images.dressale.com/images/large/4/81294.jpg
http://images.saksfifthavenue.com/images/products/04/510/2097/0451020975968/0451020975968R_300x400.jpg
This is great! I've had that pattern in my stash forever and this totally makes me what to bust it out. I love the heart bodice. I like the halter idea too, though I don't think it's that racy. Cardigans can tame all kinds of dresses if you want to go that route as well. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteI love the dress the way it is no changes after the wedding!! You could add a vintage chunky necklace and some pretty flats for brunch with the girls or sexy heals and a thin gold necklace for date night!!
xx
callie
wowza! it's so pretty!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I am slowly working on being able to make modifications to patterns. There are just so many options!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could find the pattern you used for the bodice somewhere. It's out of print, of course!
While I'm here, do you have any suggestions for making a dress with an overlay?
Beautiful! I don't know how you pump out dresses this quickly . . . you're amazing!
ReplyDeleteWowza indeed! You look fantastic, I wouldn't change a thing!!!
ReplyDeletevery, very pretty!
ReplyDeleteWow! So pretty and the color suits you very well. You are one talented lady!
ReplyDeleteI love the nude shoes! Who makes them?!
ReplyDeletexo, tasha
twenty-something blog
Wow! It's stunning! Amazing work with those pleats and making the bodice look so perfectly heart-shaped. This dress would also look lovely worn on top of a black and white stripey t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow, that's fab! Great job! I don't think it's too racy at all!
ReplyDeleteI love sweetheart necklines. They're so flattering. I'm interested in how you knew what shape to cut the front bodice pattern. How did you modify it for the pleats? It looks great. Maybe some wider straps in red lace? That way it adds a little more coverage without taking away from the sexiness.
ReplyDeleteMeg
http://megshandmadelife.blogspot.com
Another great dress. You are very good at interpreting from existing designs.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I don't think it is racy at all. Very nice fit, good coverage. If you'd feel more comfortable with something added, consider organza halter ties, that you can let flow down the back.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely, I wouldn't change a thing!
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I think that is my favourite of your sewing projects so far!
ReplyDeleteW O W !! I'm sure there will be a lot of wolf whistles following you in that dress
ReplyDeleteWhat a dress! You´re so clever.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I think you should do a tutorial on how to modify such a pattern to include pleats cause I'm a little intimidated but LOVE the look! :) What'd'ya think?
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect the way it is!!! Don't change it... maybe tone it down with accessories and a cardigan. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteThats amazing, I love it!
ReplyDeletewow what a lovely dress I love the pleat's. the little waist band looks adorable too. I think It looks lovey as it is too with out adding straps!
ReplyDeletebeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks amazing! If you wanted to cover up more you could always go for the sheer-shouldered look where the sleeves and neckline are made of sheer fabric or mesh and attached to the dress (more subtle than wearing a shirt underneath, very vintage look I <3). great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, sounds like I shouldn't add anything to it after the wedding ;). It is definitely versatile and I will have fun accessorizing it after!
@Natasha, the shoes are Guess, got them at Marshall's on clearance for $20. Sweet.
@Allison, what do you mean by overlay? There may be patterns that have the look you want, just make sure you get the right fabrics.
I would love to do a tutorial sometime, but it'll have to wait till after my wedding next month!
Great job! This looks exactly like the J. Crew dress. I adore this color. It looks really great on you.
ReplyDeletewowza indeed! That looks great on you! Great job!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress, you´re very talented! I just came across your blog via a friend´s blog and I´m inspired to do some sewing. Great work!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is beautiful! I want that McCall's pattern you always use. I might go trolling around the internet to find it...
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great job with the dress. I made something very similar for a wedding I went to last week, except I have already put the straps on it. Also, my dress was a bright blue and I wore it with a white belt.
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeletewow, that dress is great, and you look very beautiful in it! I think you could leave it as is and wear it with a blazer. Otherwise a halter strap might work, but I do really love it as is! Good luck on the wedding details, can't wait to see it all. =)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You look fantastic! Maybe don't modify it at all and just wear a cute jacket over it. This is great!
ReplyDeleteyou are way too talented for your own good. well, it seems to be mostly for your good, but that saying just came to mind. dress looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is so gorgeous!
ReplyDeletewow, you can sew girl.
ReplyDelete