The Lined Dress - Oh my!

1) First: a disclaimer. I want to smile in my photos. Really I do. I'm not as serious as I appear. It looks like I need to spend more time reading this site, and less of this. But it was cold outside; it's 36 degrees (Fahrenheit), so I find it difficult to put a happy face on when I'm feeling chilly. I'd be much more likely to smile, act silly, maybe even dance if there I had a photographer prompting me. It's difficult to be cheery for a self-timer. That said, this lined dress made it much easier to pose outside. That second (unseen) layer of a gun-metal stretch charmeuse felt like my delightful and warm secret. How did I get through my life without lined dresses? Judging from my mother's closet, she wore (and made) lined dresses frequently in the 1960s and early 1970s. Not only does that second layer of fabric make the dress feel more finished, it actually has multiple functions: it insulates, it protects the main fabric, and it negates the need for a slip! For the slipless generation, I think a lining is mandatory, don't you think?

2. A close-up shot of the dress, Easy McCall's M5512, which is part of hillaryduff.com. This pattern was easier than cooking up a pot of peas (isn't that where the expression "easy-peasy" originates?) although I still managed to make some designer touches. First, after I stitched in my lining for the bodice, I understitched at the armholes. Only after I aced that part, did I realize that this detail was for view A, not B (my dress). Oops! I left it alone, and stitched in the lined sleeves. Wonderfully my understitching detour didn't hurt the outcome. Hurrah! What else can I tell you? I rediscovered the blindstitch hem button on my sewing machine. I've used it once before - two years ago on a sweater coat. But I was afraid of this stitch. Was I doing it right? I got a quickie refresher course with Mac Berg at Vogue Fabrics, and the fluorescent lightbulb went off. I went home and tried it for myself. Wow! I'm going to use this hem trick a lot more now. The key thing to remember is to ensure that the raw edge is on the right side of the needle and the fold on the left. And use the proper feet (the D foot on the Viking Husqvarna sewing machine shank, my bunioned right foot on the pedal).

Here's a shot of the designer touch I mentioned above. As you can see, one side is gathered more than the other. I decided to just let it go, because it's A) In the back. B) The fabric is so busy, the gathering is not as noticeable. C) Anyone who's staring at that spot is a weirdo and better get away from me on the double or I'm going to call the cops!

That said, I do like the back slit, but you might want to make it a little less deep so your bra strap doesn't show or wear a bra that nearly blends into your fabric.

For the shoe fans: these are Natural Comfort wedgies, which I bought off of eBay recently. I have a pair of rust-colored ones, which I frequently wear with this dress. These suede shoes have padding, making them extraordinarily comfortable. I highly recommend them.

A Painterly Dress for the Artist Within

I'm not sure why this photo appeals to me so much. I'm looking off to the distance, maybe even looking a little sly. Perhaps I am ready to crack a smile? I just don't want to take myself too seriously. However, I'm not quite ready to put on my Happy Face just yet. It's still chilly out there and I took off my coat for this photography session. I might not look cold, but I am in the above photo. It's me, the dress, the girdle, a pair of beige-colored mesh hose from Target and my BCBG Girl wedgies.
Ah. Here I am playing The Serious Model. More on the dress, which I sewed using a dramatic black and white cross-hatch cottony jersey from Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, Ill. This fabric is really lightweight and airy, and I think it will be extraordinarily comfortable when the heat gets turned on here in Chicago, sometime in the middle of June. This print is all over the runways this season. If you're interested in purchasing some, Vogue has more of it on the bolt at $4.99 a yard. There's a similar print with more of a buttery, silky hand in a royal blue colorway that's parked next to the above fabric bolt at Vogue. Same deal. Check it out if you're so inclined: 847-864-9600 (that number is committed to memory and I don't work for the store although I could.) You might be able to find it at the store's web site, but there's a lot that's not online, so you'd be better off picking up the telephone.
The close up. This is Simplicity 3681, size D5 (4,6,8,10,12). I went for a straight size 8, which turned out to be a good fit. I opted to do a blend of view E (with the short hem) and view C (the three-quarter length full sleeve). I'm really in love with raglan sleeves these days; the shoulder seam seems to suit my petite frame better (this is a Misses'/Miss petite dress incidentally). I don't have to make any adjustments or use clear elastic to stabilize the shoulder seam. Now for the low-down on construction. The pattern sews up lickety-split (but not by itself). I did secure the inside facing on the collar with a line of stitching on the outside. It looks Ok, but I'm not blown away by it. I did a mock cover-stitch on the hem with my oft-mentioned Viking...

I think the dress is really shorter than I intended it to be. I'm wearing this with stockings, but I'd be hesitant to wear it bare-legged. I might buy a pair of black lace-edge leggings from Marshalls, and then wear with the shoes you see below....
The shot you all have been waiting for. These are a pair of BCBG Girl wedgies, purchased at Nordstrom's last year. They're very versatile, although a bit wobbly at times. I really take care of them and have the cobbler nail on little plastic cleats on the heels to reduce wear and tear. You can't see it here but these shoes have a black rattan exterior that gets chipped easily. My shoe repair man sprays them with a black spray for free every time I taken them into his store.
This is my third version of this dress. The first, made in the wrong size, is an essentially unwearable muu-muu in a cute brown and blue floral cotton jersey. The second? A beauty made from two complimentary fabrics from the $1 dollar at Vogue Fabrics. I call that my Gwen Stefani dress. I'll write up a story on it once it's a bit warmer. That one's short-sleeve...