Saturday 28 November 2015

Vogue 9023 - Mum's dress

While it didn't work for me (muslin fail), the intended recipient of Vogue 9023 did get to go to the ball, and looked pretty damn good...


The fabric needs to be discussed first, right?!

The original brief was for a lace bodice and solid skirt. I hunted high and low for a stretch lace that wouldn't look cheap and like a tragic ex figure skater's costume. I found a superb lace at Tessuti which was a licorice grey on an olive background. But it proved to be impossible to find a fabric for the skirt. Black wasn't right, grey wasn't right and even if the perfect shade of olive could be found, we weren't planning an olive dress.


While we were searching the solid stretch fabrics at Rathdowne fabrics, this bizarre knit was spotted out of the corner of our eyes. Both of us instantly leapt on it.

It's a sheer, black background with these "flakes" of grey and tan fabric attached. To me it was reminiscent of dried up clay. While I was sewing I posted an in-progress photo on Instagram, and Emi likened it to a character from the NeverEnding Story. She didn't intend for me to hit up Google for the movie's realisation of the book's character, but in a funny way she was spot on!

Pyornkrachzark - Rock Biter from Neverending story

The idea of earth and rock turned to movement is what we were both thinking of - but I did forbid Emi talking to my mother! At least until after the dress had been received (when I showed her the image and we both had a laugh)

It goes without saying that my mum looks much prettier!


The alterations to the dress were as planned: an inch extra length in the bodice, a bit out of the centre back for a flat bottom and extra sleeve length.

The bodice was underlined in a thin stretch lining so that the seams wouldn't show through the outer fabric at all. I cut the facing from the same underlining knit, and then tacked the facing to the underlining so that it stayed nicely turned under. I was able to invisibly hem the sleeves by using the underlining as well.

The skirt is a single layer of a thicker matte knit with a lovely drape. It worked perfectly to eliminate the preggy belly shape of my muslin dress.


Rather than hook and eye closures, we'd chosen these beaten metal disc buttons. Turns out that the dress can be put on and taken off without undoing the buttons, so the centre back seam could be closed altogether. Once we'd established that, I did tack it together between the top two buttons where it was tending to gape open a bit.


I knew I wanted the waistband to be the darker colour, and the neckline to be mostly the darker grey too. The pattern obviously had to be centred at the front and back. That left me with the risk of chevron boobs, but if that was to be, it was to be. There was no avoiding it. Thankfully, I think it turned out ok.

I delivered the dress the weekend of the train race and mum was a good sport, put her shoes on, and wandered around the house letting me take photos of her. I love the drama of the dining room wallpaper for a photo backdrop and there's a beautiful big side window for light.


Her formal dinner party was this weekend just gone, and I'm happy to report that she looked the part, was perfectly comfortable and the dress held together and didn't let her down. Phew.


The total cost was $35 for fabric and $20 for the pattern (which of course went on sale at $5, only a week after I'd purchased it!) I have a small amount of the cracked clay pan knit leftover. Heaven knows what I'll do with it. Perhaps A would like to be Pyornkrachzark for book week next year....

Details:
Pattern: Vogue 9023 view A
Size: 16
Modifications: lengthened bodice 1", sleeves 4", reduced centre back by about 1&1/2"
Fabric: All from Rathdowne fabrics
Model: My mum!

28 comments:

  1. Stunning.
    I rarely stalk blogs, I dont have bloody time but I have stalked waiting for this one and it has not disappointed.
    Bravo Shelley.

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    1. Ha ha. I could have emailed you and saved you the trouble. I am so very far behind in my own blog reading. Too many things to make....
      Mum and I say, thanks!

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  2. You are truly a good daughter - your mum looks fantastic in her dress (not at all rock-bitery, nor chevron-breasted!). Looks like she has a lovely house, too :)

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    1. Thanks Marisa. I thought it was a perfectly lovely house when they bought it. They've thoroughly made it over and it's now sensational.

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  3. So I tried like 5 times to comment from my phone! Grrrr! If you got 5 comments from me, that's why. They wouldn't publish! Anyway, the dress is awesome. It looks so pro. I was recently shopping for a holiday dress for myself for Dan's work party and dang, those dresses are expensive! This is one area of sewing that you could actually save money! The dress looks like one of those expensive dresses and not homemade (in the bad way) at all. And your mom looks so sophisticated. Especially in the drama photo - like she could be a queen or something. I can sort of see a resemblance between the two of you in these photos, too.

    Well, I'm off to sew some buttonholes on my playtime dress. Wish me luck!

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    1. As an ex Brit and now Republican-dreaming Aussie, I'm sure she'd still be flattered by your likening her to royalty. Not to detract from her presence, but the wallpaper makes everyone look fancy!
      Thanks for persevering with the comment. I hope your Playtime dress has been a joy to sew.

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  4. Mum is a great sport & looks fabulous in her new frock. Daughter did good!

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  5. You mum doesn't look like a monster at all. Oh Emi is so funny. The dress looks stunning on your mum. Can I pop over to your mum's for a photo shoot?

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    1. You'd be welcome to come for a visit any time we're there!
      I think it was a case of Emi referencing the book, and her remembered version of a beautiful rock creature. She was mortified when I sent her the Google image with a "what, like this?" :) poor Emi, really did feel bad. But we're not that easily offended. :)

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  6. An excellent idea for the remnant's usage - have you read the book to the kids yet? Shelley you did a wonderful job. Your mum looks fantastic in her dress and I bet she felt a million bucks wearing it too!

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    1. I haven't yet Tamara, but I do like reading them novels, so I'll add it to the list. I'll pass on your compliments to my mum!

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  7. I finally made it here!!! And omg I was (still AM!!) mortified!!! That movie version of the image I had in my head is just...well....wrong. So very wrong. And now I will be known as that horrible person who said that your mother's dress is like a rock biter's. Needless to say, your mother looks so incredibly chic and elegant (and nothing like that movie) that I need to be begging her pardon a million times. Luckily for me, you both have such a great sense of humor and don't persecute people for being total idiots! I think I must have a perpetual case of foot-in-mouth... Those last 2 portraits are absolutely gorgeous!

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    1. Oh Emi, you're too funny. Don't feel bad. It's a bit like when your favourite romantic book character gets cast for a film with an actor that just doesn't float your boat....
      Only worse! :)

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  8. This is absolutely stunning! Your Mom looks amazing! What a fun night it must have been for her to wear something that her daughter made her. Sewing when it is best!

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    1. Thanks Mie. As much as I had other things I wanted to make, you're right that it feels great to be able to do this as a gift

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  9. Wowzers....the dress and your mum are gorgeous!!! You did an awesome job sewing the dress, Shelley. You should be proud of yourself.:)

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    1. Thanks Cindy. I am really happy with how nice it looked on her.

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  10. Amazing dress, and awesome fabric. I had to show my husband your Neverending Story reference (one of his faves). Gorgeous photos of your mum, though I was a teeny-tiny bit disappointed there wasn't one of her high-kicking it. :)

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    1. Ha! I didn't think to ask for a demonstration of what could be done in it, but perfectly possible I'm sure!
      It is a truly strange fabric but suits my mum's style perfectly.

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  11. Lovely dress, terrific combination of fabrics and pattern.

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  12. You did an amazing job - your mum looks wonderful and very elegant! I admire your courage to sew a special-occasion dress for someone else. I made a bridesmaid's dress for someone a few months ago, and lost rather a lot of sleep in the process. I will still sew for friends' kids, but apparently can't take the pressure of sewing for curvy people:)

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    1. Oh I agree, kids are so much easier. My insistence on knit fabric was to allow a bit of fudge factor in fitting. I'm planning something fancy for me and am very nervous about fitting all the curvy bits! :)

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  13. I am late to this party but...Your mom is gorgeous! The dress is gorgeous! Your photos are gorgeous! I've gone back to the instagram photo a few time to look at is, it's so nice.

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    1. And you're gorgeous for popping by and being so kind! Thanks Kristi, that's really flattering as I totally understand that the usual impression made by social media is very fleeting!

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  14. Your mum looks so stylish in her gorgeous dress and very happy to hear she had a wonderful evening.

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    1. Thank you Sharon. I'm almost feeling ready to attempt something fancy for myself....

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