McCall’s 5377 (Out of print) Square Neck Empire Dress

Hi, everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Today I want to share my first ever recreation of the designer's look. I was inspired by a picture of Adam + Eve dress featured in shopbop.com's Spring 2007 hard-copy catalogue.

Inspiration

My Version

Fabric: Cotton/silk gauze and Habotai silk lining from denverfabrics.com
Notion: Lace from trimfabric.com  ribbon/button from JoAnn store

Pattern: McCall's 5377 (Out of print) View C without bow and frill

To achieve the look, I applied lace trim on the band by zigzagging along the horizontal design on the lace. The catalogue picture did not tell me anything about skirt hem but I thought lace trim hem would be nice. I also made long button holes just under the bust so that they serve as ribbon loops.

Button and loop closure

Ribbon loops

Lace hem

So, this is how my favorite game called recreating RTW started. I've been addicted to this game since then.

Are you addicted, too?



Until next time, cheers to you all!

McCall's 5466 + Vogue 8555 Test Dress

This dress, the second test for my CH floral jacquard dress project, was made last summer. After I made the first muslin from Walmart remnant fabric, I decided to play safe and make one more muslin before I start cutting the jacquard fabric.

Fabric: Vera Wang Lavender Label brocade (polyester 76% cotton 24%) and matte polyester lining from fabric.com. (I made a skirt from this brocade before.)

Pattern: Again, McCall's 5466 (bodice) and Vogue 8555 (Skirt)

I learned that I should not sew the side of the bodice before turning it right side out. I also had to redo zipper a couple of times. It was frustrating, but it was a good practice before stitching more expensive fabric. I now understand the purpose of making muslin. It’s not only fine-tuning the fit but polishing the necessary technique before sewing the real thing.



Until next time, cheers to you all!

McCall's 5466 + Vogue 8555 Rope Print Dress

Inspiration - Carolina Herrera Rope Print Dress

This cap sleeve shift dress was my second winter break project. I made a muslin out of canvas fabric of similar weight with no problem, however, it looked horrible on me! It was a perfect example of what a petite woman like me (I am 5'2" (158cm) size 0) not to wear – shift dress made from stiff fabric. I gave up on the challenge of making the exact same dress and opted for an A-line dress.

My version

Fabric: Cotton canvas from Sawyerbrook and Ambiance lining from fabric.com

Pattern: Again, the hybrid of McCall's 5466 (bodice) and Vogue 8555 (skirt). For this dress I cut the bodice front as one piece by omitting the center front seam.

I’m in love with this TNT pattern! I can see myself using it again and again in the future.


Until next time, cheers to you all!



McCall's 5466 + Vogue 8555 Carolina Herrera Floral Jacquard Cocktail Dress

The date of my last post was August 2010… If I remember correctly, that’s when I became full time student and lost quite a bit of my free time. I was actually very surprised to find that this blog still existed! Well, while I was absent from blogland, I made several things to show you.  First off, here’s my latest project.

Inspiration

Source: Neiman Marcus

My version

Pattern: I started off with McCall's 5466 (bodice) and Vogue 8555 (skirt), changed neck line from round to v-neck, moved the position of darts so that the darts and pleats align, and omitted center pleats.



Fabric: silk/misc jacquard and china silk lining from sawyerbrook.com

Netting (overlay at bottom) from voguefabricsstore.com

I wish I could find exact same lace fabric that Madame Herrera used for this dress! Anyway, I’m very happy to welcome this dress to my closet.

There's much more to come. Thanks for stopping by!