Blue in all its shades certainly remains my favourite colour, but deep red definitely comes next, especially when it comes to clothes. I enjoyed Tany's article last week. This is my modest contribution to her "challenge".
I love wearing red, and have made several red or burgundy garments in the three years since I started sewing.
My current dress in progress is almost finished, but I would love to hear your advice concerning the length and trims. :)
I call this the Charlotte dress, as a homage to my grandmother. She is almost 99 and was a professional seamstress; her creations is what inspired me to start sewing, even though she was too old to teach me by then. Her name is Charlotte (which is also my second name).
The fabric also has a story. It was given to me by Seb's grandma, whose best friend used to be a seamstress years ago, and passed away last year. Seb's grandma thought fit that a seamstress's material went to another seamstress, and gave me a bunch of old fabrics, lace and rick-rack. I used some fabric and écru rick-rack from that stash.
The fabric has that peculiar softness akin to vintage textiles.
The interest of the dress is that it wraps in the back:
The interest of the dress is that it wraps in the back:
And now my call for advice. :)
1. An option suggested by the pattern would be to add a trim either to the neckline, or to the hem. Any thoughts? Personally, I would rather leave it as it is - with just that touch of vintage écru rick-rack on the pockets. I fear too much of it would kill the effect.
2. As you can see, the dress isn't hemmed yet. I was planning on shortening the dress up to just below the knee (as on the original pattern). Above the knee would be too little-girlish, wouldn't it?
Since I am way shorter than the average woman (is there such thing as an average woman, though?), it almost reaches my ankles.
My little sister saw the dress yesterday and said she liked its length as it was. Seeing the pictures Seb took, I still think a shorter dress would be prettier. I'm afraid the lovely fullness of the skirt would be a bit ruined if I left it as it is. It's a bit too drooping for my taste as it is.
Since I am way shorter than the average woman (is there such thing as an average woman, though?), it almost reaches my ankles.
My little sister saw the dress yesterday and said she liked its length as it was. Seeing the pictures Seb took, I still think a shorter dress would be prettier. I'm afraid the lovely fullness of the skirt would be a bit ruined if I left it as it is. It's a bit too drooping for my taste as it is.
I like the dress already - it'll be perfect for the hot summer we will probably have, if the weather keeps the way it has been since autumn.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! :)
Wishing you all a great weekend!
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! :)
~* ~
I'm bummed as I was planning to sew McCall's 5314 this weekend, (my fabric is prewashed and ready), but the pattern hasn't come yet. As a result, I'm not sure what I'll be sewing this weekend, apart from a few items for the boutique. Perhaps a nightie? I have a pattern and some lilac satin for that.Wishing you all a great weekend!
42 comments:
Your dress is fantastic and very special, it comes with a story and that is very valuable! I love vintage dresses and yours is absolutely great! I agree with you on both your options: no trim (or perhaps a narrow simple trim on the neck only, it depends on what you have) and the above knee length so the skirt is as the original model shows! Please let me know when the dress is completed and give my best to Charlotte! Thank you for responding to the challenge!
I would see shorten it. I think it would than look better.
Your dress turned out lovely, the color is great on you. I would not put any more trim on, as agree it would be distracting. You could wear a pretty necklace to accent the top if you wanted, but I'd leave the dress itself as is. As to the length, I think it would look nice shortened up to around the knee, it thinkg it would let it lay a bit fuller.
Sue
Hi Isabelle! A beautiful dress on a beautiful model! I love the story of the fabric! I think it is perfect just as it is! I like my dresses a little longer, so that is just personal taste. It is stunning, and any extras may make it too fussy!
Sewing one's own clothes. That is oh so clever! Lovely summer dress and agree with you on both counts, leave the ric-rac only for the pocket trimming (remember less is more :) ) and hem the length of the skirt till below the knee.
That's beautiful, Isabelle!! The colour suits you!
I think we're unanimous about the trim... more would lessen the effect of the accents on the pockets. As to lenght... make it so you will wear it with joy!
I'm a "less is more" sort of person, so I'd leave the extra trim off. I would also shorten it - being short myself, I know from experience that this length dress can make me look like a midget from a distance. And while going above the knee would no doubt look adorable on you, the comparisons to a little girl might not always be welcome. ;)
Have fun picking a sewing project for the weekend. We've just returned from a delightful bike ride into town. It's not really warm, but it's been sunny and I definately want to soak up those rays while I can!
This is so pretty Isabelle. Like the others I say leave the trim as is. I think just below the knees would be a perfect length but this is a very personal thing as only you can feel what you will be most comfortable with. Love the story behind the dress.
Have a wonderful weekend - whether or not you get the chance to sew.
{{{hugs}}}
I love the way the dress wraps at the back - very unusual!
I actually quite like it a little longer, but you should go with what makes you comfortable :)
Oh boy! Isabelle you keep surprising me! I love the dress but I would probably shorten it a few inches to hit just below the knee. It looks lovely for the spring. I think the fullness of the dress will be lovely at a shorter dress.
I have to agree with everyone else Isabelle, I think just right at the knee or just below would make the fullness perfect. You are an excellent seamstress and I'm sure your Grandmama would be proud to know it!
:)
This may well be my favorite dress I've ever seen on you. I never thought of you as a red gal, but Isabelle, it looks SOOOOO good on you. That personal story behind the style and the fabric was so fun to read. My opinion coincides with yours and others: leave trim just as it, only on the pockets.
Shorten it to just at or slightly above the knee as the models do . I don't think above the knee would be little girlish. Depends on whether you like your knees or not.
A simple strand of pearls would accent the 1960s neckline perfectly. This style is one of my ALL time favorites. Wish I could make clothes, I'd do one like this in red for myself! I bet you feel such a connection to Grandmother when you sew, huh?
Neabt ti say also I adore the wrap back. What a treat for the one who sees you from behind. It's modest and feminine and tastefully cut. Bravo!
What? My fingers were off-key! Those first two words above are supposed to be "MEANT to".
It looks great and what a story behind it too! I'd shorten it to below the knee - I think it'll look perfectly balanced that way with those pockets. What a great seamstress you are :)
You've already received lots of good opinions and must admit when I first saw the photo I thought it needed to be shorter. You look wonderful in it and I think you need to add more of this color to your wardrobe. :D
Lovely dress and what a wonderful tribute to your beloved grandmother! I think the trim is perfect and not more is needed around the neck.
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.
Dear Isabelle,
The colour is gorgeous and it suits you to the T. The pattern is lovely and I am with you on the trims and length of the dress. No more trim is needed and a bit of shortening will show its beauty.
I love the dress.
Oh Isabelle - I wish I could sew like you! That red dress looks great! I like the simplicity of it and agree with you - I wouldn't add any additional trim. I think the length is good - don't shorten it too much!
Absolutely love it!
Here's my opinion: Just leave the rickrack on the pockets. No other trim - since it's vintage, you want to keep it special. Hem the skirt to the length on the pattern envelope. It won't be too girlish and the skirt will float better. I'm short, too, but that's where I'd hem it.
Last, but not least, my middle name is Charlotte, too!
gorgeous dress Isabelle and the story behind it is so neat. The trim is fine as it is now and I really like the length-but then I would be taller and that's just my preference. Go with what feels right for you.
Lovely dress, Isabelle! Red does look fantastic on you:)
What a pretty dress! I would shorten the dress a bit. Knee-length, but definitely not above the knee. But it looks fine as it is, too!
z'avions faili louper cet article avec cette pin-up, ouah!!!!
qu'elle est belle ta robe et quelle belle histoire derrière ce tissu! tu la portes à ravir!!!!
biiizzz du dimanche
The dress is lovely Isabelle, I particularly like the back detail. I think I would go for a knee length skirt on it myself
I love the dress - it's gorgeous! I love the ricrack just at the pockets.
This dress is beautiful, Isabelle. I'd shorten it to below the knee and would not add more trim.
(((hugs)))
It looks like everyone else has already weighed in and I'm just going to echo what they said. Leave the trim as is and shorten the skirt. Right now, it looks like you were trying for ankle length and didn't quite make it. I think below the knee would look fine. :)
Your dress is beautiful! I think it looks great and wouldn't add the extra trim. I think it will be a great length at just below the knees. :)
First off, I totally envy the fact that you get to eat your lunch any old time at a Parisian Cafe!
I am also not as tall as the "average" woman, and I'd suggest hemming it up to just below your knees. I agree that it would be too girlish if it were shorter, but having it tea length (where it is now) makes us shorties appear even more vertically challenged.
Other than that, the dress is lovely. I would leave it as it is, with just the touches of vintage at the pockets. And I absolutely love the color.
Wow! another masterpiece. Loved the color. My opinion...hemming it to just below your knees afterall its a vintage look, just like the ladies in the yesteryears. The choice is still yours, Isabelle.
Love the dress - the colour looks so lovely on you, the back adds a lot of interest to the dress so I would not add any trim around the neck either.
I can't add to the great advice from everyone else, Isabelle, but just to say how impressed I am with your sewing! I love how you have used a vintage pattern from your grandmother and fabric that was given to you from another seamstress. That just seems to make this lovely piece have so much more substance. I'm sure you will wear it with great joy!
I would not add any trim either and probably suggest to shorten it till just above the knee, but I have no idea how the pockets will come out then as they are fairly large...Ann.
wOW! That's one fabulous dress! You did a beautiful job on it. I'm going to keep my eye out for that pattern now. I've been looking for something exactly like this. It's just stunning!!
Yay, it is letting me comment today, hopefully...
You look lovely in this Red and I liked hearing the story behind it. I have pretty much the same opinion as most above, I like the subtle touch of rik-rak and think the length to just below the knee would be the best with this particular style although you could wear it any of them and it would still look lovely :-)
I agree to just below the knee as it's still a modest length and that seems to be the 'in' length at the. Most of the stuff I see in the shops is that length, (except the exceptionally short or long!!!)
Well done though! I wish I had time and space for a machine, esp as machines and I always fall out within 10 minutes. I need someone to teach me too!
simply beautiful Isabelle, you are a truly talented girl :)
It's absolutely beautiful, Isabelle! Red is so lovely on you and I love it just as is... And perhaps just a wee bit shorter as some of the other ladies have suggested... Lovely! :-)
Waou, it's a really nice dress. Normally I don't like red but it fits you very well. I aggree I think I would shorten it also, just under the knees. Will you add something on it pearls or ribbons, or any other decoration?
I wish you to have a lovely day.
Bisous ;-)
very nice dress Isabelle,
yep it really need to be shorter , hmmm how about pink it up till under the knees and take a photo then pin it up above the knees and take another photo and let us see how it looks like...and we will vote hihihi..but it is definetly lovely..
bisous..
a so nice dress! with a very tricky back.
I prefer your dress shorter ;)
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