Project Sewn Signature Style

When I first saw the list for Project Sewn weekly challenges, I was most excited about this final week.


It seems easy for me to recognize things that appeal to my signature style. I am definetly a classic dresser. I love dresses and skirts with clean lines and classic silhouettes. I also love heels. I actually used to wear heels all the time (up until about 8 months pregnant with my first). Since kids, I have modified to wedges and actually have several flat shoes in my closet now (something I never had before!). I also am drawn to basic colors, especially navy blue. Seriously, I have a small weakness for all things navy blue! So, looking through some style icons I guess I could say I love the style of Jackie O. Here she is in a lovely sheath dress:

Photo Source: http://trippingthistles.tumblr.com/post/29823461705

Then one day while looking at Pinterest I came across this and I instantly fell in love:

Source: www.modcloth.com

More info on the dress found here

What is not to love? Navy blue with cream, pleats, a lovely silhouette...I had to have it. (oh, and it has pockets...awesome!) So I set out to make it. I bought 4 yards of some inexpensive navy blue cotton from Joanns. It was only $2 a yard (not the highest quality, but I wasn't sure if it would turn out). Then I bought the cream broadcloth (3/4 yd for a couple bucks too.) So armed with $10 in fabric, a heavy metal separating zipper, and 2 patterns from my stash I got started. 

For the bodice I used Butterick 4443. I cut a size 10 and ended up taking it in quite a bit at the chest. I had made this before and found it to be too baggy in the bust. (poor me :( haha) The only downside is I ended up losing the pleating detail at the neckline. I tried to make it work...but it just didn't fit with this pattern. 

For the skirt portion I used McCalls 5591. I used view C and made a view alterations. I cut a 12 and ended up losing quite a bit of fabric to make it work. Similar to the inspiration dress, I lost one pleat in the back and made only two. I also did not use the yoke pieces for the pattern. It took a lot of seam ripping and basting to get the top and bottom pieces to line up correctly, but in the end I am happy with it. I cut off about 4 inches from the hem and added a strip of cream broadcloth at the hemline. 

                         

I tried a new technique with this dress called bagging the lining (or I think that is what this technique is called). I had pinned a link to it and decided to give it a go. I really enjoyed it and it worked great. It helps eliminate a lot of the hand stitching which is always a plus in my book. In the original dress there is no lining, but I added one to the bodice. If I would have had enough fabric I would have done one for the skirt as well, but a slip will have to do. 

I am really excited that this dress turned out. In the future, I will have to trust my sewing skills more and allow my pocket book to be stretched for better fabric or find a fabric store to send me some free samples...anyone, anyone? 

Please stop by Project Sewn to see all the lovely looks people are creating.

Shannon