The Green/White Geometric Print Wrap Dress!

I have ALWAYS wanted a wrap dress in a geometric print ever since the day I saw one of my friends wearing one years ago! So I was all too thrilled to stumble upon this Myfabricsdesign.com print! You know I LOVE color!!! The green color seemed like it would be the perfect shade for my skin tone and it was. Plus I love that it was a knit with a little sheen to it- it made the fabric very suitable for a semi-formal affair. My Hubby's 20th High School Reunion was coming up so I knew that this fabric as a wrap dress would be PERFECT! So I sewed this up just 2 days before we left. The pattern is Butterick 5454 and it is a staple. I've made the dress at least 3 times before. Sorry I have a bit of an obsession with wrap dresses. You know you do too! LOL!

Front view: Classic wrap. I've made variations with a collar and some other design elements. I opted for the simpler design here. There are pleats in the skirt as well as the shoulder line. That's all the added flare I needed. I paired with hanging earings--they're actually clear with a little tan and crystals in them. I wanted accessories in that color green but didn't get a chance to go accessory hunting. I wasn't going to do stark white since I don't like that color direcly on my skin. In the end I kept it simple and paired it with my cute, white strappy sandals. 

 Back View. I did my normal pattern adjustment. I shortened the center back about 1 inch, grading it to nothing at the sides. I'm a bit shortwaisted. I also shortened the sleeves a tad.

Here's the fabric. It has a little bit of sheen to it, not obvious in this pic. It's sorta visible in the above photos.

 Me and the Hubs. We didn't match but I liked that we coordinated. He wore a deep burgundy shirt and dark gray pants! In my world color means EVERYTHING! It can either make or break an outfit. It's a major part of one's fashion formula! Heck,  I LOVE color so much that I offer Color Consults to my clients! Gotta spread the Gospel LOLLLL!

We hit the floor for some slow jams! I left the fast stuff for the guy who decided to dance shirtless twirling his shirt his over his head. Boy was that entertaining LOLLL!

I had a great time with these guys! 

Also, I keep meaning to post but I wanted to promote our sewing show for those who don't sew. Gentleman Jim who is a Master Tailor (back in the day he made clothes for such famous folk as James Brown, Jackie Robins, Duke Ellington, etc.) and myself, a Professional Dressmaker with over 12 years of experience have joined forces to bring sewer and informative show! We cover everything from hands on tutorials to handling success and challenges. This month we've dedicated our shows to the Sewing Entrepreneur! Here are a few below. New Show's every Thursday! Check us out!!! Also, feel free to join our Facebook page HERE to stay in the loop on what we've got going on :)

Fabric sponsored by Myfabricsdesign.com. My fabric opinion is honestly my own!

My Easter "Rose Cluster" Vogue 1027 DKNY Dress

It's crazy Easter has come and gone! I really enjoyed it! I managed to finish my dress in time to wear to church. Easter/Resurrection Day is one of my favorite holidays and such an important part of my Christian faith! So of course I had to make a lovely dress to wear.  I received LOTS of compliments. This dress may look a little familiar since I made it a few years back. It's Vogue DKNY dress # 1027 and it's one of my favorites! It's a high waisted mock wrap dress with ties, full skirt and pockets. I reserve this pattern for my most beautiful fabrics. I used this beautiful floral print named " Rose Cluster" which comes from MyFabricDesigns.com. What's amazing about their fabrics is that any print can be made into 26 different types of fabrics. Yes, it also means you can get your own fabric designs printed or you can choose from their designs for those interested. I chose the Rose Cluster printed on to Modern jersey which is so soft and just the right weight. The dressed sewed together very easy and comes with pockets which I love! I followed the pattern directions except I omitted the waist elastic which wasn't needed. Ok, now for pics.  I want to warn you they're not very good. It was raining for most of the day so we couldn't get many good outdoor shots :(

Front, up close view

 Full view

 Back view

another angle

The fabric really is gorgeous! This pic shows it best!

This photo is courtesy of Esther Griffin photography, Esther is one talented Lady and sure did know how to capture the moment and make us look good. This was a quick impromptu shot (hence my awkward lean in) but it looks like my daughter was more then ready with her pose LOL!

I didn't sew my daughter's dress this go around. I intended to but it got pushed last due to major client work. I even had the fabric and pattern ready but opted to skip it to hang out with the fam the night before. In the past I wouldn't have done that I would've slaved and stressed until I had it finished sewing right before we left for church. It was nice to not put myself under that kind of pressure and chill. I'm getting older and wiser! Besides we had a blast!  It was also nice to get her dress at TJ Maxx for only $14. Heck for that price, I was cool with not sewing (wink). But on a sad note look how big she's getting! My little girl is growing up so fast sniff, sniff!

 Some other highlights from the day----There were well over 60 Baptisms that took place at the end of the Easter services! It was such a beautiful sight! My Hubby even got to help with some of them :)

                               photo courtesy Savannah Christian Church FB


After service we enjoyed going to see Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice---forget Batman and Superman, Wonder Woman is my new favorite! She brought the GIRL POWER for sure!!! And we enjoyed an unconventional Easter meal at our favorite Mongolian restaurant (so thankful I didn't have to cook.) Had fun with these two! They have the same personality! They are a hoot! Nothing but giggles when she's around her Dad LOL

I hope everyone enjoyed their Easter too!!!

Father/Daughter Banquet 2016---The Making of 2 Special Dresses

Yesterday was yet another FUN Father/Daughter Banquet--for the 6th year in a row!!! 48 hours leading up to it was non-stop sewing for me as I worked to complete 2 dresses---one for my Daughter and Goddaughter! But the hard work was well worth it. Both dresses turned out absolutely beautiful and the event was amazing as usual! I was asked to help serve as I normally do for the event.

Here are some pics I shot at home......I actually REALLY love this dress. I think it's my favorite out of the 6 I've done for the other Father Daughter Banquets. She wanted an edgier dress and wanted it to be short in the front and long in the back. So I came up with this design by modifying Simplicity 6388.  

I LOVEEEEEEE the fabric. It's a shimmery gray blue satin with shimmery bronze abstract flowers. The trim believe it or not is imitation leather with 3 rows of gold chains. It really gives the dress a little bit of edge. I decided to use the trim as a belt. I like the juxtaposition of hard and soft. And I used chocolate brown tulle in the front. Although the belt is black I felt the black tulle would have been too much so the chocolate coordinates with the blue and bronze.  It really works

                                      This fabric is so amazing! So luminescent---and shiny! It has 2 sides---I used                                       blue background/bronze flowers for my daughter's dress.

                                               When I saw this trim I just had to have it! 

My Favorite picture---love the back view!

Here's her hair.  At first I wanted her hair to be a a little edgier to go with the style of her dress but in playing around with her hair came up with this style. I love adding the metal hair beads

 The event was held at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum and it was beautiful venue! 

Her and her handsome date got their picture taken together. My 2 FAVORITE people in the world! Love em'

They met up with her Godsister and Godfather!!!! I made my Goddaughter's dress using the same pattern and the reverse side of the same fabric. She wanted a "Princess Style" dress so I made the skirt really long and added a beautiful trim around the neckline. I also added a belt with the same trim and a solid colored matching blue bow.

My cute Goddaughter and Handsome Dad (my daughter's Goddad) posing for formal pics

Front view

Here dress is actually made from the same fabric as my daughter's---but it's using the reverse side. So hers is bronze background with blue flowers while my daughter's is blue background with bronze flowers!

Back view---trim is on neckline and sash

After pictures there was mingling, time to eat and lots of dancing!!!!

 Hanging with friends

So many dads and daughters! A beautiful thing to see!

 They look like twins to me LOL!

Hitting the dance floor

As usual there was a dance off between Dad and Daughter---actually there were several. Here's those two being silly....

I enjoyed the opportunity to make both my Girl's dresses! They looked absolutely beautiful! The last time I made them both a dress for this event was HERE in 2011! They were so "wittle" then!!! Sniff, Sniff! Growing so fast!

My two girls! Love them!!!

When Inspiration Strikes!

Beware! When inspiration strikes you can be anywhere doing anything!!!

I'd been waiting SOOOOO long to  get some inspiration for the upcoming annual Father/Daughter Banquet dresses I'm making. This is the 6th year my Hubby & Daughter are attending. Here's last year's post and you can search my blog for the other years if you like. Anyhow my tradition is to make my daughters dress!  The banquet is this Friday and I have 2 dresses to churn out---(1 for my daughter and Goddaughter so I'm going to be sewing non-stop for the next 72 hours).  But that's par for the course and last minute sewing is something I'm used to! Anyhow I'd been waiting for some inspiration for the past 2 months. But I've been up to my eyeballs in client work so even if Inspiration had come a-knockin' maybe I was too busy to hear. Well Inspiration decided it was going to be heard and cornered me a couple of days ago while I was at the hair dresser. My mind was spilling over with ideas and by the time I'd left and headed to Jo-Ann's my mind was racing. I found some supplies at the store. I manage to leave the store but realized Inspiration wasn't done with me yet. By this point my mind was full of ideas and I figured I needed to get them on paper. I found the nearest spot I felt Inspiration would feel most comfortable telling me all it's secret. And yup I was right! Seems like great ideas really flow with a relaxing pedicure LOLLLLL!

 It's always easiest to be inspired when you're relaxing for sure! Studies have shown this to be true. Here are some other helpful tips!!!!

Got to jot downs lots of ideas and do some doodling. Won't use them all but it was great to think them through! Creating is all about the process and embracing all of the steps from start to finish!

So just as quickly and dramatically as it came in like a whirlwind Inspiration was soon gone. But that didn't bother me too much because I knew it would soon return again. And better yet if I need it to return sooner I know what to do. Because it's returns are what I always look forward too!

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Here's a sneak peek at the fabric I picked for their dresses. I bought it from Fine Fabrics in Atlanta last month.  It's beautiful---ice blue and bronze abstract flowers design. I  don't really know what it is---it's either a brocade or double sided satin. Each girl will wear one side which is cool because they'll coordinate.  More dress details to come.....

McCall's 2401---The Leopard Print "Knock-Out" Dress!

I don't think I've ever devoted as many posts to a single piece of fabric as I did for this leopard print knit. I got into such a fight with this fabric and was glad to emerge victorious! I won with a "knock-out" LOL!  Thanks so much for the helpful info many of you provided regarding my sewing difficulties (mentioned in my last post). I ended up washing the fabric (although it was cut up and already partially sewn together) to get rid of some of the slick fabric finishing. That actually helped a bit with the sewing but I ended up using my serger and coverstitch machine to ensure non-skipped stitches. For the record I normally prewash all of my fabric but every blue moon I may skip with a polyester. Trust me this wasn't the fabric to skip the washing step on. Anyhow, despite the challenges I was able to sew up a cute dress. And in the end that's all that really matters right;). I picked a very simple pattern so I could showcase the fabric and let it speak for itself. Here's the review......

Time to Sew:

If I hadn't had such a fight with my fabric this would've been done in 2 hours.

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

Very simple!!!

Pattern Description:

Simple dress with back and front darts and various necklines.

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size 12 but ended up grading down the bodice and inch or so for a snugger fit.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Sorta, I made a few changes to it.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Didn't really need them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I loved the simple style to showcase my fabric.

Fabric Used:

Black leopard print knit with light blue background

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

*reduced back length 1"---short waist alteration.

*ditched the zipper and sewed down the back seam.

*scooped out the neckline a bit.

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

It's likely. It's a great simple pattern to pair with very busy fabric.

Wardrobe Versatility:

It s a cute dress you can pair with a jacket, cardigan, vest etc.

Conclusion:

Lovely little dress!

Burda 7053- The Two-Tone Curvy Knit Dress

I was all too excited to cut this dress out on Friday and sew it up quickly on yesterday! This dress has been on my sewing list since the Summer. I'd hoped to make it in some bright colors or prints (I still plan too) but I'm happy I was able to slip in this version. I bought a gorgeous shimmery stripped ponteroma knit from Jo-Ann's a couple of months ago and really wanted to use it for something non-formal. I though pairing it with a black ponteroma knit with make it suitable for normal wear. I love the final results!!!

Burda 7053

Time to Sew:

About 2 hours.

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

A 2, it was really easy.

Pattern Description:

Close fitting dress with unique seaming.

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size 12 for the bodice and 14 for the waist and below.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I loved everything!

Fabric Used:

Ponteroma knit with shimmery gold, blue, black stripes and a solid black ponteroma.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I added 4" to the length and added sleeves---I used the sleeves from Vogue 1020.

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes and Yes!!!

Wardrobe Versatility:

This is a cute dress! It can be worn with boot, sandals etc. I think a cute fur vest on it would work too!

Conclusion:

Lovely dress!