Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sewing Meetup in San Francisco and a Ready to Wear Challenge


Thank you so much to every one who left such wonderful comments on my vintage pattern dress.  Commentor Jeanettec said she was off to find that very pattern.  I highly recommend it and want to remake soon with a modern twist. 

Right now I am working on a few other projects and getting ready for some intensive sewing fun.  I am going to have a sewing student, Karen of Did you make that?  She is traveling to California for a vacation and before she heads off on her journey through the Golden West she will be spending a week, as she puts it “under my tutelage”.  That sounds a bit formal, doesn’t it? Yes, we will get to details of collar construction and organza interfacing, but the thought of hours of sewing talk with a fellow enthusiast is quite exciting.  I have not inquired but I hope she is a Downton Abbey fan so I can hear all about it from the British point of view. I am looking forward to having a student who is miles past beginner level so we can delve into lots of fun yet tricky details.

We will need a break from all that concentration so how about joining us for a drink and a chat in San Francisco on the evening of Wednesday May 9?  Probably around 6 pm and if you have a suggestion of a good spot let me know.  Please leave a comment or e-mail me if you are interested and I will let you know the final details. 

The recent Pattern Review challenges have given me a creative kick lately. I finished the Vintage challenge and jumped right in to the next one, the Ready-To-Wear challenge.  I actually don’t pay that much attention to ready-to-wear, in terms of sewing things for myself as I prefer to find a fabric and then decide what to make in that order. Lately I have been crazy for the clothing line, Milly. Lots of great color, interesting fabric combos and nice details, and perfect for recreation at a tiny fraction of their prices (around $ 400).  And in particular this dress.

Milly-FlorenciaDress4

So here is my version, in rayon ponte knit.  My dress has multiple darts to give it waist shaping, I think theirs probably has just single darts, but I used an old pattern that I have been wanting to revive which worked very well for a fitted silhouette.  This is definitely a dress that looks better as worn than on the dress form so I will try to get some photos today.
Black color block front full belt
I did take some photos during construction so if you are interested in how I created the color block pattern pieces I will show that in my next post. 

Edit for 4/30/12:  here it is on me,  without belt, which I think looks better in this knit fabric.
Color block dress without belt



Today we have lovely sunshine so it is time for a bit of work outside, those oranges don't pick themselves!
Happy weekend sewing, Beth

25 comments:

  1. The dress is a perfect interpretation of the Milly dress. I like that line very much too! Also, I'm a little jealous that you're going to be with Karen for an entire week...enjoy!

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  2. I love the colours on the dress - as Carolyn says, great interpretation.

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  3. Ooh a week with Karen sewing, what fun!
    Your Milly dress looks fabulous, love those colours.
    I missed your vintage dress post, it is lovely too!

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  4. Hi! I'm a fellow Bay Area sewing blogger, and I started following your blog last week after Karen her visit and lessons from you. I'd love to meet up on the 9th. As I live outside the city, I can't be of much help with the picking out of a meeting place, but I'd love to be kept in the loop. My email is amy.ahearta at gmail dot com. Gorgeous dress, by the way. The turquoise and black together are quite stunning.

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  5. I read your post with much interest. I also love the Milly line. I quite often sew replicas, sometimes with actual Milly fabric from gorgeousfabrics or emmaonesock. I love to pat myself on the back when mine look the same and fit better for a fraction of the price.

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  6. gorgeous! how do I not have you on my blogroll, especially after using your invisible zipper tutorial? hrm.

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  7. Love your version - what a great design. I'd love to see how you altered your blocks - have always wanted to do this. Might give it a go.

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  8. Love your new dress! And want to know the detais to it was made!

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  9. Your version of this dress is great. I'll have to check out the Millie line too.

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  10. Very pretty dress! Can't wait to see you and others in San Francisco on May 9th!

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  11. GREAT dress, Beth! I love the contrast detailing. Looking forward to the 9th!

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  12. Wow, what a gorgeous dress Beth, the colour blocking yoke is truly fabulous! I hope you all have fun on the 9th, I would KILL to join you fellow fabric-loving gals!

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  13. Beth, what a beautiful dress and perfect rendition of the Milly dress. Have fun meeting up with other Bay Area folks!

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  14. Wow, what an an amazing dress! You look fantastic, I want this dress lol!

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  15. This looks fantastic. Love that pop of colour around the neckline.

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  16. That is a terrific knock off. Very pretty!

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  17. Wow!
    I generally love everything in the Milly clothing line and am awed by your version. Good luck in the contest!

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  18. Oh I love this ... I love the color choice and it looks perfect on you. I am so happy to have re-found your blog - I saw it the other day then lost it .. now I found you again ! yea!

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  19. Your dress is beutiful! I love that color combo.

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  20. What a fantastic dress! You look beautiful wearing it.

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  21. ooh! My favourite kind of dresses are those recreated from RTW ones we've been inspired by. This dress is awesome! Love the bright colour against the black too.

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  22. What a fantastic rendition of the RTW! You look beautiful in the dress.

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  23. A lovely interpretation! Congrats on your win.

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  24. I just saw your dress on PR and came here to read more! Lovely dress,very flattering fit. Love the color combo. Bravo to you!

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