I’m really, really happy with this one! All of the hard work and extra care I took while making this dress has paid off – it fits wonderfully, it’s soft and comfortable to wear, and it’s beautifully made! (If I do say so myself.)
Here’s the finished dress – what do you think?
I’ve named it the “Twin Spruce Dress” after the Etsy shop where I bought the vintage rayon fabric! She’s on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Now I’ve never been to Wisconsin, but it feels very cool and down-to-earth knowing this fabric was stashed on a farm (maybe in a barn!) and made its way across the continent to me to become a pretty little dress. Reducing and recycling at its best!
I love that this dress is underlined! All thanks to Couture Sewing Techniques. I didn’t refer to the book while doing it, but it stuck in the back of my mind as something you could do, to change the feel of fabric and keep it away from the skin. This is soft, delicate vintage rayon so to preserve the fabric’s beauty, I underlined with muslin.
Here’s a recap of the previous posts on this dress – click any of the links to read more:
- This is what the muslin is for!
- How to make a muslin for a dress bodice
- Altering the Dress Bodice: Lengthen or Shorten Here!
- How to Underline a Dress Bodice
- Using Stay Tape on Necklines and Seams
- Finishing Simplicity 3965
I love this dress, it’s a great pattern to make over and over. I could see it in so many pretty prints, or florals, or even a plaid! I’d put the bodice on the bias and cut the skirt on the straight grain. This would make a great Little Black Dress too! I feel pretty and swishy and fun in this one. It’s a win!
More pictures on my Flickr account here!
PS. Some of you asked about the zipper insertion yesterday, so when I make this dress again I’ll take more detailed photos and do a little write-up! (Which I’m planning to do very soon.)
On that note, is there anything else you wish I’d shown in more detail, construction-wise? Let me know in the comments! (Or just tell me what you think of the dress, that works too!)
That. Is. So. Perfect!
very beautiful! Would love to see it again in plaid :-)
Her dress was wonderful, would expect no less of a piece made with care and dedication.
Congratulations
Eilan – Brazil
It’s darling! I love the neckline, both front and back :)
I underlined a rayon crepe kind of fabric for a dress last summer, and it turned it from a fabric I largely hated to a dress I adore—awesome!
Oh its so cute and so fun! I love the fabric! Just darling and such a great contrast to you. You have fitted this number incredibly well. I have to say that I’ve seen similar styles and the top always ends up looking baggy on most folks and this fits you PERFECTLY! It’s just lovely! And thanks for posting all the way throughout the project. Makes it more fun and more interesting to see the finished product.
Your dress is wonderful, the fabric is a beauty and was just the right choice for the design! I love it!
This is such a gorgeous dress. Great job.
I love the dress. It is perfect! Great job!
So beautiful! It just seems to hang so well! Fitted where it should be but with awesome body in the skirt. Super inspiring, Tasia!
~Alana
Beautiful job! I love the back. Also nice to take the steps to preserve the fabric.
Would love to see it in plaid!
The dress is gorgeous and I really love your shoes! Where did you get them?
Very nice and you’re very pretty. :)
Just found you through Sew Retro. Wow that is a very pretty dress! I am curious about the underlining- I haven’t tried that yet. Do you have pictures? I’ll go check out your Flikr page and see. Thanks for sharing!
Stunning! The underlining gives the structure that emphasizes the good fit. Congrats and thanks again.
Absolutely gorgeous, love the shoes too!! work it!
Gorgeous!
It looks gorgeous Tasia! And the bodice fit beautifully – love the plunging back!
Beautiful! That fabric is gorgeous. Glad you had one last sunny day to take pics!
Wow, this is a flawless frock! I adore the fit, and I love the verve with which you wear it. It’s probably the utter confidence you gained having taken so much extra care with the fit! I adored your posts on the entire process,especially your decision to underline. I would love to see this pattern replicated in plaid, but remember if you cut the top on the bias that the fit might change slightly due to bias stretch!
The dress is gorgeous, really stunning… but I’m really wondering about the shoes, too! They’re fantastic and go perfectly! What brand are they/where did you find them?
I knew this was going to be pretty, but it’s even more lovely than I envisioned. It fits you like a dream. It *looks* well constructed. Awesome job!
I want to know where your shoes are from- they are super cute! The dress is too, of course.
Yes, I agree its a winner. It would also look great in navy blue with a white trim. there is something very crisp and summery about the design.
That looks fantastic!
I LOVE that dress, it is so cute! The belt and shoes complete the look perfectly, great job!
Looks lovely! This could be a very versatile pattern.
You guys are awesome – I love how many of you were into the shoes! They’re from Nine West, I bought them last winter on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas when all the shoes are on sale!) Speaking of sale, they were excellently priced too, if I remember correctly they were $40 down from $150? Something good, anyways! The ankle strap makes them reasonably comfortable, for 5″ heels anyways…
And now I REALLY want to make this dress in a plaid next! @lap: Excellent point about the bias changing the fit slightly. I’d cut it and baste it together to check the fit first but it would be super cute!
@Nancy: Hi Nancy! I wrote a post on the underlining, check it out here: http://sewaholic.net/how-to-underline-a-dress-bodice/ You can see the insides of the dress there.
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments and compliments!
Gorgeous! I particularly like the neckline at the back. Stunning.
The fact that I had to scroll down FOREVER to get to the comment section shows how much of a WOW this dress truly is and what a statement it really makes! Bravo.
Tasia, It’s goreous. Well worth all your efforts in fitting and using couture techniques to make it.
Wow so simple and stylish!!!
Love the print and the fit is amazing :-) nice one!!!
So gorgeous!!
Tasia your dress is stunning! Great job, all that hard work has certainly been worth it. You’ve now got my fingers itching to make a similar style dress :)
Pretty!!! Looking forward to reading your zipper instructions :)
Your dress is gorgeous, and the cut and fit are perfect on you! You’re right, this would make a great TNT pattern. I appreciate your walking us through every step – very inspiring!
Beautiful fabric, dress, construction – everything! Love the belt and shoes with it as well. Just perfect!
It’s amazing — the fit is perfect! It looks like you had beautiful Vancouver day with actual sunshine to model it!
Super, super cute!! My aunt is your Twin Spruce fabric provider, and she is an awesome lady. You have put together a beautiful dress. I collect vintage clothing that I wear very often–dresses are my favorite, and I LOVE this one!!
Take care…….angie
Very pretty!
Absolutely stunning!!! And ideal for a 200 follower giveaway (provided we are the same size of course!) ! Tee hee! x
Oh and thank you so much for the clear pictures and instructions – I have saved them for when I am a little more experienced at sewing.
this is exquisite and beautifully made!
Absolutely ADORE it. The shoes are amazing too.
And there it is! the dress we’ve all been waiting for. It’s gorgeous. I like the way the skirt is standing out in the third picture.
I’m glad I found your blog recently. You make lovely things and write great posts about it. Looking forward to your zipper-tutorial.
Totally gorgeous! What a dress, so versatile.
LOVE it! It is so perfect! You can really tell that you put extra effort and used couture sewing techniques! And the fabric is just beautiful!!
What a beautiful, swishy, fun dress! I’m so envious!
This is so beautiful! All of your hard work more than paid off!
This is so lovely!! I want that pattern!
oooh gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! i was a bit skeptical about the print before it was finished, but now i’m in awe. i love the back, the twirly skirt and i adore the grey heels you paired it with :)
It’s a perfect dress for twirling! Brava!
Really beautiful! All the work you put in to it was worth it.
I don’t know how I missed this post, but I’m glad I went back and found it! This came out so wonderfully. A+++++
Wow, it’s beautiful! Love the fabric, and the swishy skirt, and that beautiful back…! I’m so jealous!
What a beauty! Love the fabric with this pattern – and this pattern really looks useful for many occasions!
I really really love this one too! The fabric is amazing and it fits you great. I love the thin black belt too. Great job lady!
This dress has a lovely shape to it
Love it! It’s so pretty, and my idea of the perfect summer dress. Well done!
Gorgeous, gorgeous dress. I’ve just gone back and read through your tutorial for underlining a bodice and can’t wait to try that technique out – thanks for sharing!