Terrible post title, I know. Every now and then, inspiration strikes and a fabulous
ly perfect Word that describes my new “thing” to a T springs to mind instantly. Other times I just plump for the obvious. Today, inspiration was like a wispy breathe of smoke in a dark shadow of the night. Barely present, fleeting and rapidly lost amongst the dusty cobwebs in ye olde brain.
But, enough of that… wot abart the dress eh??
Pattern; Vogue 1351; bought aaaaaaaages ago. With the intention of making it up immediately, funnily enough! but more on that later…
Fabric; a slightly stretchy crepe from Fabulous Fabrics. Also bought aaaaaaaages ago with the intention of making it up immediately, sigh. The aqua and indigo, sorta-floral/sorta-galaxy border print runs along one selvedge of the fabric, so to retain that I cut out the pieces across the grain, rather than on the bias as recommended in the pattern. I just really love the colours in this fabric… but! I know pink doesn’t suit me, in fact I’m already anticipating that my Mum will have A Few Words to Say just as soon as she sets eyes on me in this sick-making, blemish-enhancing shade of pink. What can I say? I agree, but sometimes I just can’t help myself, I just LOOOOOOVVVEEE pink and navy together, and like a lemming I occasionally toss myself over that cliff. It’s one of my favourite colour combinations, with a lovely and natural yin/yang balance. Frivolous and girly; pitched against sombre and slightly masculine. Like a perfect summer sunrise over the ocean. It speaks to me.
Anyway, no doubt drawn to that; at some point about mumblemumble years ago I spotted it, oohed and aahed, and naughtily bought some. And cut out the pieces for Vogue 1351 that I’d recently bought in a club bmv sale. Honestly, I barely remember doing any of these things, but obviously I did and it’s been folded up and tucked neatly away in my fabric cupboard ever since. Then about a week ago I “found” it, and just set to, whipped it up. Whipped it, I say! Kt-chaaaaaaaaa! … that’s a whip-cracking sound effect there by the way, just in case it’s not immediately obvious, hehe.
Alterations; downsized the bodice. Hey, it’s Vogue, and something of this kind is an always-requirement for me in Vogue. Their patterns are designed for a more busty lady than I; but you know, I still want to use their patterns! Often I handle this by shaving something off princess seam curves, or doing some other variation of small bust adjustment. In this case, the bodice is one-piece with that draped neckline being the only feature, actually it’s the only feature of the whole dress…! So to avoid having to diddle around with that and possibly lose something essential to the neckline, the easiest thing to do is simply downsize.
I lined my dress fully with pale pink, polyacetate lining fabric, also from Fabulous Fabrics. The design of the lining is quite clever, the way it’s a little fitted around the décolletage and with a nice smooth joining seams still allows the drape to spill out over the top. It’s impossible for the lining to flip up or peek out in any way. Very clever. I love Donna Karan’s aesthetic, and am quite sad that we will no longer see her designs for Vogue patterns. She really knows how to flatter a woman.
Also! can I just say with regards to the issue of those of us with Autumnal colouring wearing Pink = A Really Bad Idea thing… see below how I’ve deviously dealt with it, by wearing it with my little teal cardigan. Whammo! instantly counteracting and negating the death-warmed-up effect. I think the pink actually looks quite OK on me like this!
Details:
Dress; Vogue 1351, printed crepe
Cardigan; Audrey in Unst, knitted by me, all details here
Wedge sandals, made by me, all details here
out in the wild… I wore it out to lunch with my friend J today 🙂
location; South Perth foreshore, Western Australia
I think it’s absolutely gorgeous. I love graduated border prints, drapey bits and Donna Karan so it’s a win all round. I really wish I had bought all the Vogue DK patterns now!
thanks Allison! I wish I had more too! Actually I’ve just looked on ebay and there are several Vogue 1351’s currently for sale, and quite a few others of Donna Karan’s too 🙂
How about bringing the blue up closer to the face using a necklace? I love the dress and the fabric and you did such a great job on the fit, it would be a shame not to wear it. Or a navy sweater. Good luck!
Don’t worry, I’m wearing it!
Dreamy. I never go for pink myself but I really like this color combination — so clever and stylish.
The pink looks a little on the warm side, not the icky pink icing confection sort of pink. So at least it is a goodish pink for you – if the colour is showing up accurately after photo and computer mediation. And the teal, as you say, is just right.
thanks Sarah! yes the pink is quite warm and peachy, so I think I can get away with it 🙂
Gorgeous dress and I can see why the fabric spoke to you. My colour swatch has a pale peach/pink in it so it is an autumn colour, but the use of the cardigan does lift it. Enjoy wearing your dress.
thanks Sharon! yes, my Autumn swatch hasn’t got any pinks, but I really think us Autumns can get away with a warm pink like this one really. Maybe I need a better swatch set!
Beautiful match of pattern and fabric. Pretty, Pretty!!
thank you so much Vicki! xx
Beautiful dress, that combination of pink and navy is so classy and the fabric is gorgeous. The combination with the cardigan is really cute.
Lovely dress in a fabulous fabric. I sympathise on the autumnal colouring front, some times we just have to ignore what is best for us and follow our hearts!
thanks Philippa! yes, for all my joking, I think this shade of warm pink is actually quite an ok shade for us Autumns, probably not the “best” but not as bad as I was making it out to be 🙂 And yes, if you really love something then that’s got to count pretty big, yeah? xx
Ooo, such nice fabric! Did you consider having the colour change going the other way, so that you had the navy next to your face?
very pretty! and I am with you on the Vogue DK patterns, they are so so so good! (i want to collect them all just to have them) back to this one – love the border print effect. I have sewn that pattern 4 times and think it is both simple and yet has clever details. Long live DK and her designs 🙂
Lovely fabric design for this dress!
thanks so much Rianna! I’m so pleased with how the fabric worked out for the pattern 🙂
Very nice and such lovely material. Have you tryed it with a fitted navy jacket with 3/4 length sleeves for a summery look (sigh, it’s our first day of snow here)
thanks Anna! I do like it with my teal cardigan a lot, but realistically it’s way too hot for it right now, and a three quarter sleeve fitted jacket would be just the same story! A good idea for a winter look though 🙂
so amazing ! I love this fabric ! <3 <3 <3
thank you Liochka! xx 🙂
It is a very pretty dress and I really like this pattern. I made it up a couple of times now and would love to try it in a woven.
This is a gorgeous dress Carolyn! I love those colours together and the print. I still haven’t lined a dress, only skirts, but I’d like to line a dress this year too.
thanks Kathryn! I think there are a lot of patterns with full instructions on how to line a dress, it will usually say so in the description. Good luck! 🙂
What a lovely dress in that gorgeous border print! Isn’ t the pink a little coralish so it has got a warm hue? I love the chic silhouette and the lining adds luxury, too!
thank you so much SaSa! yes, the pink is quite a warm and peachy one, so it’s ok really. The design does have a really lovely, classic shape 🙂
It looks fabulous – with and without the cardigan. I agree, so sad we won’t get any more DKNY patterns. Wear yours with pride
My hair isn’t as beautifully red as yours, but I love this color pink and I love the galaxy border. Tell your mom that your blog readers love this on you.
hehe, thanks Kathy! it’s ok, my Mum and I laugh about “our colours” all the time. It’s a long-running source of gentle joking between us 🙂
just found the pattern on etsy and bought it! gorgeous and I too am a sucker for that color combination
I’m so glad Katheeen! I hope you love making it too… now I really want a black one, and an ivory one too!
I’ll have to take your word for it – from here the pink doesn’t make you look like death warmed over lol. This is an adorable dress and I LOVE the fabric. I can see why you had to have it.
thanks Amanda! I’m joking a little about the pink, it is quite a warm, peachy pink so not so bad for someone with my colouring, really! Plus, I just really love it, so I’m never giving it up completely!
Oh how I wish I had this pattern! It looks so lovely and feminine. I love the last photo of you with the brilliant blue sky. I have always wanted to use border prints but anytime I have seen them, they are in the wrong direction of how I would need to cut them out.
thank you Shirley! Actually I’ve just had a look on ebay and there are several Vogue 1351’s currently for sale 🙂
Looks pretty cool from here. You should try a Francis sweater, it would look good with your winter skirts and thick tights not forgetting your boots of course. Thanks for popping over to see it, Jo x
I love this dress too Caroline! So breezy and comfortable and I agree a flattering piece to the nth. Ah those summer breezes walking along the water…in the middle of a REALLY cold winter here in Victoria BC Canada it makes me sigh with longing – seeing your tanned legs, strappy sandals and summer dress. Beautiful!
thank you so much Kathleen! yep, the middle of summer here right now. I love this time of year, but have to admit it does get really hot here sometimes… I’m definitely not complaining though 🙂
This version looks lovely, very nice use of the border! I really like this pattern, I’ve made it several times myself, including making a winter one now wool crepe!
Such a clever use of the fabric border. Its a gorgeous pattern too,in fact, an excellent combination.
The little cardigan looks terrific with it.
thanks so much K! I’m very happy with how it all worked out 🙂
Such a beautiful dress, very well done!
thank you very much Teresa! 🙂
Very clever use of this border fabric. The softness of the colors and their tie-dye effect nicely balance the structured style of the pattern. I personally love your fair coloring and the dress mirrors you beautifully…adding the sweater is a nice touch too, particularly to keep Mom’s comments at bay. Did the pattern include the lining directions or did you develop those yourself? I wish more patterns included lining instructions. This dress really benefits from it and many other patterns would too. If you designed the lining, I would for you to do a post on that topic.
thank you so much Patrice! I didn’t design anything here! the pattern includes pieces for lining as well as the complete instructions for how to install them 🙂 I think this is one of those quietly clever patterns, it appears quite simple on the outside but the lining is structurally very sound and underpins the bodice beautifully.
Sometimes you have to say “to hell with it”. This is one of those times! Such a pretty dress, and such a clever lining. Love!
This dress is totally delightful and I think you’ve made it work with your skin tones – I wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss unless you had pointed it out. Another dress that will be in constant rotation, I’m sure.
It’s absolutely beautiful!! Even if it’s not the best for your complexion, sometimes you just have to let it go and use a beautiful fabric. It does look fantastic with the cardigan, though, too 🙂
It’s really not as bad as you make it. Pink looks fine on you, there are colours that suit you better, but pink really is fine too. Plus you didn’t have much of a choice here,the fabric is just too gorgeous! I love what you made with it 🙂
I absolutely love this dress on you! it is so stunning, I wouldn’t be surprised if people stopped you on the street to say they love it too!