Burda Style For people who sew
Description
A little bit Mad Men, a little bit like something Elizabeth Taylor might have worn in Butterfield 8, and a classic bombshell color thrown in. I’ve been in a bit of a late 50s/early 60s mood lately; mostly it’s due to all the early 60s films I’ve been watching over the course of the summer. Being so taken by the vision of a bombshell style dress in my head I made a few sketches and I decided to spend my holiday weekend working on a dress to capture what I envisioned. I had a gorgeous green linen blend in the stash (it was actually earmarked for a 40s three-piece playsuit, but I actually like it in this usage much better!), and used a sloper I drafted from Winifred Aldrich’s Metric Pattern Cutting. I was a bit gutsy–no foolish–and cut out the dress after drafting the pattern, without making a muslin–something I do not really recommend. The pattern wasn’t perfect at first–I basted the dress together twice before I got the fit through the waist and hips just right. However, it was a fun learning experience–and thankfully did not result in some massive mishap! I also used a lot of more detail-oriented techniques on this dress: hand picked zipper, stay tape (empire waist, armsyce, back zipper edges), thoughtful interfacing (meaning since I wasn’t following a pattern, I had to really analyze where I’d need the extra structure!), and a few other things I hadn’t used in a long time on a garment. Be sure to stop by my blog post to read more about the dress!
Material Notes
linen
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BurdaStyle is a DIY fashion and sewing community. Our aim is to bring the craft of sewing to a new generation of fashion designers, hobbyists, DIY'ers, and inspire fashion enthusiasts. We offer downloadable PDF sewing patterns, project ideas, tutorials and a community passionate about fashion. Press coverage on BurdaStyle can be found here.
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Sep 11, 2011, 09.21 PMby Denim Skirts Etc
Stunning dress!
Feb 6, 2011, 09.29 PMby meseide
Stunning dress! Fits you like a glove and I just love the back view and the color!
Nov 17, 2010, 09.16 PMby tinybows
this dress is just too much fun. that color is absolutely stunning!
Oct 30, 2010, 06.57 PMby 20beverly08
wow! that’s my kind of dress! stunning! great work!
Oct 26, 2010, 01.25 PMby gabcorb
Oct 19, 2010, 02.22 AMby Ana B
So envious. You are so talented. Luv it. Then again, I love all your creations. You rock chica!
Sep 13, 2010, 09.25 AMby bonsai fojas
this is really pretty!
Sep 12, 2010, 10.33 PMby nazmiehm
INSANELY CUTE TO THE MAX!!!!!
Sep 12, 2010, 04.37 AMby mlssfshn
Classic beauty with a modern twist in the neckline love what you did great pattern drafting, the waistline is also phenomenal. Best piece I’ve seen in a while.
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.18 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you!!! :)
Sep 11, 2010, 03.49 PMby Syrena B
Love it!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.18 AMby elegantmusings
Thanks! ;)
Sep 11, 2010, 03.49 AMby timtamz
I love it great colour and it looks like you’re really good at sewing!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.18 AMby elegantmusings
Aw… thank you! :)
Sep 10, 2010, 10.48 PMby emily-marie
The colour is HEAVEN. Seriously. And I’m loving the casual texture of the linen. And the bag. For some reason I’m envisioning this on Carey Mulligan with her adorable pixie. You did a really, really great job with this one!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Funnily enough… I just watched “An Education” recently, so I dare say that whole look kind of crept in to this project and how I styled it. Although I think a pixie cut hair style would have made it about 100x better! lol.
Sep 10, 2010, 08.43 PMby Maria Antonietta Morelli Medaglia
Wow!!! What a beatiful dress…
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thanks!
Sep 10, 2010, 08.41 PMby Maria Antonietta Morelli Medaglia
Wow!!! What a beatiful dress…
Sep 10, 2010, 07.05 PMby hellagabrielle
Oh, this is so pretty. The color is spectacular. But the neckline is the total kicker. It’s kind of a modern touch on an otherwise vintage silhouette. Actually, I’ve been sewing my bridesmaid dresses with a very similar notched neckline: http://2211133.blogspot.com/2010/07/for-maids.html
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you! The neckline is my favorite part, I have to admit.;)
Sep 10, 2010, 05.30 PMby trploceanmoon
THIS IS AMAZING!!! I love it so much!! you did a fantastic job!!!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you! :)
Sep 8, 2010, 09.03 PMby merrybe
Another gorgeous project of yours! In the end it is all about the bow…and the colour…and the posing…Thanks for sharing.
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you for your sweet comment! :)
Sep 8, 2010, 02.30 PMby ajtak7171
Oh wow, this is glorious!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you! :)
Sep 8, 2010, 10.25 AMby Lora Martinez
Fantastic dress, love the colour and style!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.19 AMby elegantmusings
Thanks!
Sep 8, 2010, 07.43 AMby Zyanya Walker
i am inlove with the back of the dress it is so classy
Sep 8, 2010, 07.05 AMby juebejue
amazing dress, i LOVE it! its so impressive that you drafted this yourselves! i wish i had your MAD skills :)
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.20 AMby elegantmusings
Aw, thank you! ;) I have to admit… it’s just been lots and lots of trial and error over the years to learn how to draft patterns. It’s actually not too, too hard once you get the hang of it! :)
Sep 8, 2010, 04.42 AMby sandrasews
LOVE!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.20 AMby elegantmusings
Thanks!
Sep 8, 2010, 04.20 AMby pumpkinpatches
this is stunning you are a perfect doll
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.20 AMby elegantmusings
Aw, thanks! ;)
Sep 8, 2010, 12.04 AMby nessys
Once again Darl – you’ve done a wonderful job and you look stunningly beautiful!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you so much!!! :)
Sep 7, 2010, 11.38 PMby milnay3
amazing!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Thanks!
Sep 7, 2010, 11.16 PMby loyl8
love the neckline and the bow. Wait i love the color the peplum..well I think I love everything!!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Aw, thank you! ;)
Sep 7, 2010, 10.31 PMby rachelnyc
I love how the neckline dips in the back, so elegant!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you! I have to admit: the neckline is my favorite part of the dress. ;)
Sep 7, 2010, 08.51 PMby Erin E
Love it!! Well done, Casey!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you!
Sep 7, 2010, 08.08 PMby cantare
So lovely! The color, the detail, the fit all are great!
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.21 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you! :)
Sep 7, 2010, 07.07 PMby camberwellgal
What a fantastic dress – bombshell it is indeed! Colour aside (which is indeed fabulous), I love the way the peplum on the back breaks the vertical line that the length gives it, picking up the horizontal shape of the neckline, and how that then works round to the bow at the front. Not cutesey at all – much more very smart; a clever dress.
1 Reply
Sep 12, 2010, 11.22 AMby elegantmusings
Thank you so much! :)