Tuesday 15 December 2009

my festive plum dress

Before you gasp at my sewing speed (which isn’t actually very speedy at all) I need to tell you that I didn’t make this dress in the last week since my return from New York, I actually completed it just before I went. However, with so much going on, this has been my first opportunity to get Mr Fabulous out in the garden with a camera so that I have a picture to show you.

A few weeks ago I was passing through the fabric department of John Lewis (the only department store left in the United Kingdom that sells fabric) and spotted this beautiful plum coloured, 100% wool crepe and just had to have it. I thought it would make a perfect holiday season sheath dress. The pattern, which I highly recommend, is McCalls 5927


This is the one I used for my ‘sheath dress with a little bling’ but, as you can see, this is a more restrained version. The construction is the same, except that for this one I omitted the neck tabs and jewels. I was aiming for a ‘little black dress’ that can be dressed up or down but in a festive plum colour. I wanted something stylish but respectable. In New York I accompanied Mr Fabulous to a business dinner at the Harvard Club where I wore this dress and didn’t get frowned at, so I must have got the respectable bit right!


A word about wool crepe – this was my first time using this fabric and I loved it. It didn’t slip around, has a nice drape and took to steaming into shape beautifully. Now you know why I purchased two more lots of wool crepe while I was in New York (at a considerably cheaper price than I paid in John Lewis!). Why didn’t I know before how wonderful it is to work with? I’d love to know what kind of fabrics you have had some good experiences with?


Since I’ve returned from New York I haven’t had the chance to do any sewing at all. It’s all been about jet lag, unpacking, dental visits, calling in the electrician and Christmas preparations. Lack of sewing has been making me quite tetchy so I’m going to try and get some done soon ……

26 comments:

  1. You look gorgeous.

    - Myrna

    http://blog.myrnagiesbrecht.com

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  2. I love it! The fit and color on you is fabulous. Very respectable indeed.

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  3. That is the most fabulous dress and you look stunning in it. Excellent photo; kudos to your photographer.

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  4. That dress is stunning! You look fabulous in it!

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  5. I just want to echo the comments above - you look FABULOUS in the little plum dress!

    And I love wool crepe - it is an awesome fabric to sew with and work with. It drapes well, it takes color well and it just looks good on! Besides linen it is my first choice to work with!

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  6. Oh wow this is such a great dress. It looks gorgeous in the plum color and suits you to a tee .

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  7. That is a very chic dress. Plum colors are very fashionable for winter this year. Nice job!

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  8. You need to make many, many versions of this dress - it is stunning on you!

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  9. Fantastic dress, the color is wonderful.

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  10. And Liberty's. Liberty's sells fabrics! I miss John Lewis. I miss department stores since I left London, but I have to tell you that there is a huge long street full of fabric shops in Istanbul and two great shops within 10 mins of my new home.... And everything about 3 punfs a metre (top quality wools, woll crepes, jerseys, etc, etc). Forget New York. Make Mr Fabulous fix a business trip to Istanbul!

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  11. 3 punfs? No that's three pounds (got too excited for my keyboard). And the dress is absolutely fantastic. Great fit!

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  12. Plum is a perfect alternative to a black dress, I may have to pinch the idea. Your dress looks, well, fabulous!

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  13. The fit is fantasic. As always, you look great!

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  14. Very flattering dress on you!

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  15. I love that dress and it looks great on you.

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  16. I'm more than a little interested in this pattern as I need a corporate wardrobe. I love the colour - perfect for us fair skinned blondes.

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  17. Great color! You look amazing!

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  18. The dress is gorgeous, what a stunning color!

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  19. Gorgeous dress! You look fantastic in it.

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  20. This dress is seriously *perfection*!

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  21. Another fantastic looking dress. You wear it so well. Two snaps up. Looking good.

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  22. Wow! You look fierce and fabulous! You certainly made many notice this pattern now after seeing your fine lookin dress. I like this style on you.

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  23. Lovely dress! Great fit! Wool crepe is one of my favorite fabrics. Another is silk dupianni (sp?). I love the fabrics you bought in New York and am looking forward to seeing what you make of them.

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  24. That is a fabulous dress, I can see why you get so many compliments. Thanks for linking to my post.

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  25. Stopping in from Lori's. Your dress is lovely.

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