I came across this old thing when I was cleaning out my wardrobe…
hehehe
Well truthfully, it is a bit of an old thing, but obviously when I made it I put considerable time and effort into it (OK, I hope that that is obvious anyway 😀 ) … plus it is made of the very luxe-est fabrics that were jolly expensive! I haven’t even worn it for a couple of years and can count on the fingers of one hand the functions we go to per year that are snazzy enough for it anyway! Also feel like possibly it is a tad too… well… young? for me :(( so sad to have to say that! But I am happy to have moved on sartorially to a more sophisticated style now… but of course I am not tossing the dress out on to the Good Sammy’s pile! Banish that thought! Cassie might want to wear it one day. Anyhoo since I haven’t put it up here on the blog yet then here it is having its turn.
(Later edit: I should have mentioned that this was made around 7-8 years ago now…)
Details:
Dress; partly Burda 8071, overdress of my own design, silk taffeta with embroidered and sequinned net overlay, and lined
Sandals; Sachi, bought from some little boutique in Melbourne
So; the nitty gritty…
The base dress was made using Burda 8071, of creamy/pale-pink silk taffeta. Then an embroidered and sequinned pink net fabric was carefully cut and fitted to be an attached overlay dress. The embroidered and sequinned motifs on the pink net were lined up as to be exactly centred but offset on the front and back of the dress; so, the front has two motifs at the waist, whilst the back has one, and so on. (I can remember this taking quite a bit of careful measuring) The net dress (being sheer) has French seams and is sandwiched between the dress and its lining at the neckline. (the lining is also Burda 8071, with the same silk taffeta bodice and a polyacetate skirt section). The heavily and beautifully embroidered and sequinned border was left just as it is to form the lower edge of the overlay dress.
The bodice facing is part of a full dress lining, meaning the dress has three complete layers… The dress has an invisible zip at the left side seam for closure, and the net overlay dress was hand-stitched inside the zip seam and the dress lining was turned under and slip stitched to the zip tape. All the seams inside are turned inside the layers and there are no raw or seam edges visible inside the dress. The hem of the base dress is hand slip-stitched, and the lining is machine stitched.
Once the dress and the overlay dress were finished; motifs from the remainder of the embroidered and sequinned overlay fabric were carefully snipped and hand-stitched together and to finish the front and back bodice edges. More of the net fabric was fashioned into sheer sleeves (also with French seams) and hand-stitched to the dress straps. These themselves were then covered with more embroidered and sequinned motifs that were also arranged on the skinny straps and hand-stitched in place to hide it as much as possible.
That's an exceptional color on you, and the cut is lovely. Well done. (Send me your email address. stephc (at) gmail (dot) com)
That is stunningly gorgeously beautiful!! And a perfect colour for you. I don't think it looks too 'young' at all, it is very elegant. What a pity you didn't get an invitation to something late afternoonish at Gov House whilst The Royalty was in the hood…
Saving it for the next gen is a very good idea!
Hugs, Jasmine
I don't think it looks to young for you at all, maybe you think that cause the color (a very pretty color, I might add) is very similar to your skin color?
A beautiful dress that looks stunning on you. Like others, I'm not sure I would say it was too young, or really, thats its young at all. Just gorgeous and luxurious and very very pretty. And beautifully constructed.
-Sewingelle
well you know I'm always happy to receive your hand me downs! I have to be the luckiest daughter in the world to have the wardrobe i do! it looks beautiful on you though maybe a the ballet deserves this style of dress? Teach some of those his majesties theatre jean wears what is really appropriate for those events!!!!
A work of art! Beautiful dress. Pity it doesn't see the light of day more. You need to crash one of the parties for the royals next time they visit. 🙂 Glad you shared the dress with us though.
Love the way you just happened upon it in your wardrobe. Definitely a keeper.
Wow. This is gorgeous.
It just goes to show that "effortless glamour" takes quite a bit of effort.
Definitely not too young for you and very current. That colour makes you seem all peaches and cream. don't pass this one on, not even to your darling daughter.
Fantastic dress, just love the cut
That dress looks so lovely! And it doesn't look to young. It's timelessly elegant. And the colors really make your skin glow.
I agree, definitely not too young. I would say classic and perhaps with the lace very current. It is a keeper.
Very nice! I don't think it's too young for you either (hey, you only made it 2 years ago!) and the beautiful sleeves add sophistication.
I'd keep it – it's the sort of dress that if you passed it on, the right event will suddenly arise…!
Drop-dead gorgeous. I, too, don't read that dress as young. But maybe it's just not your style anymore? It is beautiful work though and you look beautiful in it 🙂
Wow, gorgeous! A dress that is still perfect after a lot of time.
Carolyn,
This is elegant and definitely still wearable today — love it!
I love it!So pretty.
I think it is absolutely beautiful, and not too 'young' at all! You look stunning as always. I'm sure there will be an event in the future that will require such a lovely dress. So hang it in a place of honor in your wardrobe until the time comes!
Gorgeous! And no, it is not too young for you. Sometimes I wonder why so much effort (and expense) goes into clothes that can only be worn a few times, yet the clothes that are needed for daily wear get sewn as quickly as possible. (That doesn't apply to you, of course, because you do take extraordinary effort with every item that you sew.)
I think this dress is gorgeous and looks so beautiful on you … it's neither too young nor too old on you. Maybe it will have its second chance, either on you or on your daughter. I hope so. It's too beautiful to hang in the closet.
I love this dress! its gorgeous.
Aaaaaaah! Carolyn, I think your true genius is working with laces and sheer fabrics. If Cassie doesn't want to wear it, I do 🙂 It's gorgeous!!
So very very beautiful! I really don't think it looks too young on you. And I am so happy to read you are hanging on to it!
Absolutely stunning! It's beautiful and you look amazing in it. It's not something you can get rid of. I think it still suits you too, certainly not too young for you! Although I guess it depends on how you feel and where you're going. I think it's elegant!
It is a beautiful dress, and looks so elegant. I am glad you are keeping it.
I am woefully behind on blog reading..
This dress is just lovely!
Wow! This dress is beyond brilliant, and the work you put into it is amazing but clearly paid off as I so wish that your dress was in my closet!
Lucky Cassie for getting this one day!
That dress is great. Well done! although I love your more sophisticated dress, I don't thing you are too old for this one. The back view is stunning. Lace is a classic and you may have just given me an idea on a style for some black lace I have.
Uau! Near to this clear color, your hair look really red! Fantastic and gorgeous!
Your dress is beautiful, really beautiful.
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I love the detail in that dress and your ankle strap sandals are beautiful!
Hope you had an amazing time!
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