I have been in my current job for just over 10 months. In the first 2 months with my employer they hosted the Master Builders Excellence in Building Awards. It is an annual event and it is very much a formal occasion.
Last year I was very much the newbie and only heard of the event a month or so out so I raced out and bought a very pretty dress to wear. I love the dress but it wasn’t perfect. It was too long (not for the occasion, but definitely for my coordination) and I had put on weight at the time and the dress did a good job of accentuating that.
Anyway I am only a novice sewer, in fact I only took up sewing about 5 months ago. But I decided that with this year’s awards ceremony 3 months away I should have a crack at making my own dress. I have told myself if it is not going to plan a month from the date of the awards I will suck it up and go and buy a dress 🙂
I have narrowed down to two patterns I like so here is my plan of attack:
- Buy the patterns
- Buy a bunch of calico
- Make a toile of each dress (my first toiles!)
- Pick a dress
- Make one in the fabric of choice
The reason I am making a toile for two dresses is that with the dress I like most I am not 100% sure it will be flattering on my shape. There is potential for it to make me look pregnant and with my full boobies I am not used to high neck lines. The back up dress is of a safer shape and drape…I have worn dresses like it before.
This is the first choice dress, Vogue 1102:
and this is the back up choice, New Look 6776 (dress C as seen in the main picture):
I am hoping I can find a fabric similar to that on the model in the New Look pattern, but in red (if you click through the link you can get a close up look…it’s divine!). I am thinking red dress, cream heels, clutch to match heels.
I am really hoping that I can make the first dress work for me as I love, love, love the big bow on the back and think it would make for a very unique dress.
I’m off to Spotlight on Sunday for at least one of the patterns and maybe the calico. Any words of advice?
Cotton Handy 
oo Danielle these are beautiful! And the red/cream colour scheme sounds wonderful! I prefer the New Look dress myself, but only because I am a sucker for a square neckline. I can’t wait to see how they turn out – and even if you think they don’t end up working for your party, you’ll have a couple amazing dresses for another occasion.
I agree! Even if I end up choosing the vogue for the event I will definitely make up to New Look as well eventually….they are both adorable! 🙂 I am already so in love with my colour choices…hoping I can find fabrics to match my imaginings!
I have made the vogue pattern before and I have to say that it was not so difficult to put together. I made mine out of a wool crepe which worked really well and drapped beautifully (the woman in the fabric shops suggestion!)
I even loved this pattern so much that i’m making it again!
Oh, it was your make of this dress that led me to the pattern! I couldn’t for the life of me remember where I had seen it first but it was definitely you. You did a great job with it 🙂
Wow! That is cool 🙂
I love the Vogue dress, but I’m afraid I would spend the whole evening trying to stand so the fab back would show- I’d end up doing some odd posing! The New Look is flattering and has details from all angles to appreciate and I think lends itself well to the color scheme…….but they are both gorgeous!!!
The back is what makes it isn’t it! I am thinking of making the bow straps with slightly wider bands to make it pop just a little more. So cute! 🙂
I don’t know about the Vogue, but I have made up the New Look dress before and it came out great! I made the V-neck rather than the square neck (it’s the pirate dress on my blog if you wanna see pics) but otherwise, same dress. The only thing I remember having to fiddle with is that the straps were a bit long and I had to pin and check the placement many times before sewing. That, and I had to take in a wider seam allowance at the upper back around the zipper (but all my dresses require that adjustment, I must have a small upper back measurement).
Oh I love your pirate dress, it’s so cute! And it confirms that I LOVE the still of skirt in that pattern, looks great! 🙂
Both excellent choices! How cool would it be to say you made it when someone asks where you got it?
I think that’s the part I am most excited about! 😛
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I love the black dress. I might consider not doing the bow since I also have significant “girls” and the sleeker look is better for me. I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose!
I am almost certain that the Vogue dress will be the final dress. I have just fallen in love with it so much 🙂
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I ADORE the black dress, but I have made one like the other pattern for someone busty and it turned out beautifully! Good luck to you! You can do it!