Project: Little White Dress

So, despite the challenges this dress had at the beginning, it is now an awesome dress that fits wonderfully! I am totally happy with how it turned out. 

I made this dress to enter into the Little White Dress contest on Pattern Review.

\\View my entry here and pattern review//

For the contest we needed to take three pictures of our garment.

One without accessories, one with daytime accessories, and one with evening accessories.

For daytime I paired my little white dress with a pearl-look statement necklace, nude heels, and of course, A Girl Named Katie handbag.  =]

A perfect look for meeting with boutique owners!

For evening I paired my little white dress with a flower crown, black tights, and black booties. 

Adorable for Valentine's Day! 

The flower crown I made at 6:30 this morning that is. Good morning!

Voting for the Little White Dress contest opens on February 18th and ends the 24th.

I will post a link to vote when that time comes around!

On to the next project! 

Toodles.

Katie

Project: Little White Dress

Complete.

I fixed my mess of a dress into what is now an adorable dress.
It looks even better in person since it is hard to see the boucle texture and notice any of the opalescent threads in the picture. I am finally happy with how it turned out.
Last Saturday I was feeling rather discouraged about it and made the hub sit through a Meryl Streep movie with me to cope. I eventually sucked it up and began ripping it apart.

I adjusted the length of the torso and raised it about an 1.5". I shortened the skirt by 3" and I cut out new cap sleeves and adjusted the shape of the armhole. Below are the first and second attempts of the LWD.

Much better right?

I need to submit a dress by Friday and I am still deciding whether I want to make a second option just in case. The next challenge is a Movie-inspired look and I already have something in the works.
Stay tuned!

Katie

p.s. Anyone know where I can find a forest green/emerald green melton or flannel wool?

Project: Little White Dress

I was almost done with my LWD, it just needed a hem...

And then I tried it on again...and I am not feeling it.

Not only do I find it borderline boring, it needs a couple lifts and tucks to make it look like it was actually made for me. The proportions are just off. The torso is too long, the sleeves are just wrong, and the under bust needs a good pinch.

Have you ever sewn something that seemed like a great idea 

and then when trying it on hated it just a little?

Needless to say, I will be spending the afternoon pulling apart the waistline and cutting new sleeves.

At least the piping details look nice. 

In the meantime I will be creating a back up plan.

LWD #2

I have some white stretch cotton and pearl buttons to use with this burda pattern.

I hope to make it to the store in time to purchase some more pearls to stitch somewhere on the dress to make it more interesting. "Make it work."

Which dress I actually enter in the Pattern Review contest will be a fun little surprise for you!

Wish me luck!

Katie

Project: Little White Dress

So, I am going to enter my first sewing contest on Pattern Review!

The first contest for the year is the Little White Dress Contest.
Similar to the LBD, the LWD is a staple piece that can be worn for both day and night.

My original idea when just hearing the name was to do a fabulous vintage-inspired dress with a fringe skirt. But after reading the rules of the contest, that quickly seemed inappropriate for daytime. Therefore the idea was scratched for something more day time appropriate. I mean, you could wear a fringe skirt to work if you wanted. I would. But I also work for myself. And considering that in order to win I need to collect votes, something safer seemed necessary.

I resorted to a fabric I almost got rid of, actually.
I bought it to make a coat for the holidays. Something knee length that could be worn as the statement piece. But I lost my nerve. No way could little ol' me in a small town pull off something so chic and elegant. A cape is overkill here. (But I do love capes. And crepes for that matter.)

Who do you think I am, Olivia Pope?!

Luckily I did not get rid of this piece of material and since it was the only almost solid white piece in my collection other than white lace I already have other plans for I chose to "make it work." 

Yep, now I'm bringing Tim Gunn into this. 

This is a creamy white boucle with opalescent threads woven in, backed with white tricot interfacing. 

I am going to use two Simplicity patterns to make this dress.
I am using the bodice from 1650 which is princess seamed and combining it with 2444's skirt that is pleated diagonally towards the center. 

I am going to add white piping details for a fashionable touch.

I am hoping this dress whips together quickly!
Just one more week until I need to enter it in the running!
Wish me luck.
Love, Katie