Just Super!
I have a Christmas function to attend and wanted, as opposed to needed, a new dress. I have had McCalls 6553 waiting patiently in the wings to be made up for quite some time. I like that the style is a complete departure from the ordinary dress and is a little edgy. It was this fact that scared me a little as well. Could I carry off a style that was such a departure from normality and more importantly would I be comfortable in a dress that was a complete departure from what I would nomally wear? I decided to throw caution to the wind and armed with my pattern and a large piece red crepe fabric I had procured at one of my op shop hauls, I set to work.
This was for the most part, a pretty quick project going together in just one evening. I sat down in front of the television and hand sewed the hem which took ages because of the fullness of this dress.
The instructions called for a hand made loop and button closure so I found one of my late grandmothers vintage button kits in my stash, pinned as she left it when she last used it and sacrificed it for my project. I then set about creating my loop for the closure.
I was feeling rather pleased with myself and tried it on for it's final fitting when my husband walked in having been to a function. He was none too impressed with my dress and likened it to a Superman cape. Feeling a little deflated, I took the dress off and threw it into the corner for a week before rescuing it and pressing it for these photos. Perspective is sometimes a good thing because actually now, seeing these photos, once again, I can see why I was drawn to this dress and actually, if I was a caped crusader, this would be just my sort of costume. I am wondering though, what would my super power be!
Love your red dress! Having recently made my own sort-of-out-there edgy dress, I think the key to pulling off the look is chunky jewelry and shoes, and mostly attitude:) I will say I have enjoyed wearing my dress, and if I thought I could have superpowers when wearing it, that would be a huge plus!
ReplyDeleteIn hindsight my dress would have been better in a more floaty fabric. I agree with the chunky jewelry and shoes and I might have to develop some attitude!
DeleteI know we are all super nice to each other in Blogland, but if I were your girlfriend out on a shopping trip I wouldn't encourage you to buy this dress. The colour is delicious, the idea really interesting, but there is way too fabric just where you don't need it. Tapering it in a little would make for a killer dress. Hope you don't mind my saying so.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I wonder how it would look with less volume, well, everywhere!
DeleteI suspect that you have many super powers! I actually really like the dress - possibly because I have made that pattern once already and was just considering making it a second time. Seeing it on you has convinced me to give it another go. It's different to lots of the things that you wear and I think that is part of its appeal. It's all about what you feel good in!
ReplyDeleteI really like the bodice and the style but one thing I did notice is it was too wide for my fabric and I had to run it the other way. I wonder how it would look in a light weight fabric with the whole thing narrowed slightly and some of the fullness taken out if the back. When I tied the belt it did pull in a huge amount at the front, so much so I had to rearrange the gathers into pleats!
DeleteI made this pattern in a similar coral fabric (but linen ie permanently crumpled); mine is also quite voluminous, and initially I thought it was too big (evidently the pattern sizing is bigger than usual for McCalls) BUT it turns out it's really comfortable to wear in hot weather with those little side belt holes and the swishy skirt at the back. So - especially as I think this colour is great on you - I hope you get as much wear from your dress as I get from mine.
ReplyDeleteI don't think mine would be as good in the heat because it is a synthetic crepe. I had hoped the extra weight would hold the dress down but actually it may have the opposite effect.
DeleteI love the delicious colour of our dress but I'm not sure about the back view - does look a bit cape'ish. The front looks great with the belt tie, so I wonder if the belt tie all the way around the dress would help. You've made a great job of the dress.
ReplyDelete