Another FO? Simplicity 1995.

Hello hello! Can you believe it? I have another FO to show you! This is a dress that´s been finished a while, but I haven´t had the chance to take any decent photos of it until now. This dress goes under the name The Dissertation Party Dress.  Back in May, my darling defended his PhD- thesis, and it is tradition for the new doctor to hold a black tie party for his closest co-workers, friends, family and so. I, of course knew I had to make a dress for the occasion  but I didn´t want it to be too dressy, as my man isn´t a black tie- event kind of a guy. So, I went for a cocktail length, dress, rather then a floor length one.

The choice fell upon Simplicity 1995, a vintage pattern, because I a)had the perfect fabric for it in my stash, and b) really wanted to try out that dramatic collar look.

Simplicity 1995

I used the bodice for dress number 2, but the skirt of number 1.

Simplicity

I am kind of in love with this dress. It has a classic wiggle dress shape, but because of the pleats in the front skirt, and the split in the back there´s room both for excessive eating and dancing (believe me, I have tried, and it´s perfect for doing the twist;-)). Here´s a shot from back in May, at the party I wore the dress with teal heels, and  I made a matching belt, but the belt seem to have disappeared during the Move. Hopefully it´ll turn up again!

MMM´12: Day 16 - Evening

Brown is a color I used to wear a lot all the way back in high school, and I should add more brown garments to my wardrobe, as it really do work as a great stand in for black. Brown works really well together with some of my favorite colors this season, like warm yellow, teal and rusty reds.

Simplicity

Bodice detail.

 When I made it, and tried the bodice on for the first time, I was a little bit afraid that it would be too small, but once the zipper was installed, I found that it fitted just right. One interesting detail that give the skirt some body, is that the whole pleat section is interfaced with a rather sturdy interfacing, like the one I use for coats.  Here´s a pic of how it looks on the inside:

 

Simplicity 1995, inside- out

A very clever way of giving more body to the pleats, especially in such a thin cotton that I have used for this dress. The fabric, by the way, was bought in Paris last December in one of those fantastic Coupons- shops. Oh, Paris. When may I return?

All in all, a fun dress both to sew and wear, and I´ve already got an “order” from a friend of mine that she wants one too!

Simplicity

“I can´t believe I´m finally taking pictures of this dress! “

23 Comments

  1. Melizza on 24/09/2012 at 17:30

    What a gorgeous dress! I love love love the neckline. Pairing it with the yellow belt adds a nice touch.

    • Sølvi on 25/09/2012 at 11:34

      Thank you! I am in love with my yellow belt of late. I wear it together with everything! 🙂

  2. Scruffybadger on 24/09/2012 at 19:55

    Oh solvi!!!!! You have done this vintage pattern such justice….it’s perfect, the rick rack of course caught my eye too, but the fabric also has something vintage about it. You wear it beautifully too…nice accessorising. Gosh…I could swoon even more, but just know hat I have severe sewist envy, wishing I’d made such a beauty.

    • Sølvi on 25/09/2012 at 11:35

      Hehe, thanks! I thought of you when I added the rick rack detail, actually, you woman of rick rack fame. Thanks for the lovely words! 🙂

  3. Donna on 25/09/2012 at 11:14

    It is beautiful! congrats to your beau on his thesis defense too 🙂

    • Sølvi on 25/09/2012 at 11:35

      Thank you, Donna!

  4. debbie on 25/09/2012 at 12:08

    I love the dress – the fabric choice is so lovely and it really flatters you. it looks as if you could wear it with so many other colours as well. x

    • Sølvi on 25/09/2012 at 13:27

      Thanks, I really want to experiment with different accessories in other colors too for this one. I love brown together with a dash of hot pink, as well as together with black. 🙂

  5. Lynne on 25/09/2012 at 18:26

    Your dress is beautiful, I love the shape and the fabric.

    • Sølvi on 25/09/2012 at 18:36

      Thank you for the nice comments! 🙂

  6. kristindownie (aka quietandsmall) on 26/09/2012 at 00:42

    what a terrific dress! i love the color and how versatile it is with color pairing (teal, mustard and pink sounds tremendous!!) congrats to your beau!!

    • Sølvi on 01/10/2012 at 10:53

      Thanks! I really want to make a pink belt, that´s for sure!

  7. Meg on 26/09/2012 at 16:34

    What a lovely dress! The collar is fantastic, and I love the trim you’ve added. The yellow and teal belts are just perfect with it! The classic wiggle dress looks marvelous with that fabric 🙂

    • Sølvi on 01/10/2012 at 10:53

      Thank you!

  8. kristenmakes on 26/09/2012 at 20:31

    Looks great! Love it with the yellow belt and LOVE the neckline detail!! You’re rocking it!

    • Sølvi on 01/10/2012 at 10:55

      Thanks, I really like the neckline too, I´d love to make another version of this dress for the Christmas parties. Maybe in a solid color, this time around! 🙂

  9. liza jane on 27/09/2012 at 00:17

    It’s gorgeous! I absolutely love the shape. Great idea to stiffen up the pleats.

    • Sølvi on 01/10/2012 at 10:56

      Thanks! Those vintage pattern makers have some cards up their sleeves that you just don´t get from the modern ones!

  10. Mary on 29/09/2012 at 17:21

    What a beautiful dress-I love brown also, and while I gravitate to black in the cooler months, brown is wonderful year round. I like the dress paired with the gold belt. Congrats to your husband on his PhD.

    • Sølvi on 01/10/2012 at 10:57

      Thank you! Nice to see other brown enthusiasts! 🙂

  11. Stacy @ Stacyverb on 02/10/2012 at 16:35

    Wonderful! I’m a fan of brown, too. I love black, but get bored of it sometimes. And brown really looks better on me anyway. 🙂 I hope your teal accessories re-appear–they look great with this dress.

  12. Alana on 06/10/2012 at 13:26

    So so gorgeous, Solvi!

  13. Zoe on 05/12/2012 at 22:46

    I can’t tell you how much I love this dress!!! Congrats to your boyfriend!!! xx

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