B5177: Summer night date dress
SHE SAID, "I am convince somehow fabric talks to you if you really listen, why? Because this fabric did NOT want to be a top, blouse,, or any other thing I wanted it to be, it wanted to be a dress and nothing but."
New Fabric is the cause of some UFO's,,,, ironically becoming UFO's themselves.
Listen to me, I tell no lies.
I got this fabric when Gorgeous Fabrics was having a sale a month or two ago, and it was an impulse buy because I really didn't have a set plan for it. A couple days later, I got it and I was extremely happy with the vibrant colors as you will see in the photos, absolutely beautiful.
So, I wanted it to be a wrap top,, and not just any wrap top, the very popular 01-2008-116 wrap top which I didn't plan to make in the first place. I must have been on to something, because it never happened anyway.
Butterick 5101 came to mind, a few times too.
Jumped on the Kimono bang-wagon and thought about S4020 for a while, then 10-2007-114, then New Look 6714
So, nothing happened,,, and it stayed that way for a long time until I saw the new butterick patterns.
I didn't even like B5177 but I kept seeing it as a base for so many designer dresses in the mags and on-line and just decided to get it anyway, if push come to shove, I could just make a top and not a dress.
I guess you can pretty much guess what happened next... I started to make that dress using my fabric, BUT!
I got new fabric the next day.
I now had a reason to let go, hey,, new fabric=inspiration right?
I think this was at least 5 completed garments ago, lol
but now its done.
back
keyhole
close up back
Inside Front
Inside back
This Pattern is a lined pattern, it comes with Pieces 5 & 6, so you don't have to make your own. However, seeing that I only wanted it for a facing, I re traced the lining pattern with 3 inches of length from the armsyc. Serves the purpose without the extra bulk.
Front
Front close Up
side profile
BTW, that is the tie band that looks like extra fabric at the back.
Now, I know some of you are thinking, why didn't i do a contrast for the tie bands, neck and waist...
Good question.
My thoughts are, some design features are made to stand out as an accent and some are just plain functional... I chose functional this time around. I wanted the waistband to blend in, just working to give shaping and emphasize the gathers only,, nothing more.
Conclusion,,, I think its cute and the fabric just radiates in this simple design and let me tell you, when is the last time you made something without ripping out a stitch? This baby was well behaved.
Oh one last thing...
could you believe someone said it looked like a night gown,, its a good thing I try to keep positive.
toy.
Your new dress is so cute!! Love that print!
Posted by: Shannon | April 13, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I like your decision to keep the black only on the bottom hem. The print works really well with that dress shape too!
Posted by: loopylulu | April 13, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I may have said this before, but you take amazing photos. I love, love, love your newest dress. You worked in the color blocking and used a print. Brilliant :)
Posted by: Cidell | April 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Toya you are on FiYah!... the dress is fierce... the pattern, the gathers, oh dagnamit all of it. You have a great eye for colors and prints. Ok.. who opened their darn mouth to say something so negative.. sheesh. The dress looks fab.
Posted by: sheila | April 13, 2008 at 03:51 PM
The dress does not look like a nightgown. It looks like an amazing dress. I love the fabric you used for the top. I've never been fond of that style - it just doesn't suit me, but it looks really good on you. It's such a versatile style.
Carol
Posted by: Carol | April 13, 2008 at 05:53 PM
dress is awesome. love the black at the bottom.
Posted by: stephanie | April 13, 2008 at 06:30 PM
I love the pink dress, you have done such a great job sewing it, it looks perfect. I especially like the black band at the bottom, it really adds that something. As for the final dress, it is actually my favourite of the two. I adore the print and it looks fab on you.....TUT to PJ'S!!!!
Posted by: meg | April 13, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Love both of your dresses! I have yet to make up any jersey dresses and summer is finished here. Maybe next year.
Posted by: Vicki (HKS) | April 13, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Cute new dress and perfect pattern/fabric choice.
Posted by: Lori | April 13, 2008 at 09:34 PM
It looks fantastic on you!!You always pick the right fabric.
Posted by: gold | April 13, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Love the pattern and the fabric. It really does look great on you!
Posted by: lynne | April 14, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Love that fabric! And that comment.. how rude!
Posted by: yaiAnn | April 14, 2008 at 09:53 AM
I absolutely ADORE this dress and the fabric! It's the perfect match! You are making an outstanding spring/summer wardrobe!
Posted by: Tany | April 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Toya, you look great. I always visit your site for visual inspiration. Marvelous job.
Posted by: Angela | April 14, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I love the fabric of your pink dress!
Posted by: Oasis | April 14, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Like a nightgown? I hope you smacked them. It does so not look like a nightgown, sheesh! (And great dress, I love the contrast black, it looks great!)
Posted by: Reethi Jagannathan | April 14, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Two very cute dresses. I think you made the right decision about keeping the belt the same colour as the dress. I love it.
To the person who suggested that your dress looks like a nightgown: You should have countered by asking if they slept in their street clothes.
Posted by: Heather | April 14, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Two very cute dresses. I think you made the right decision about keeping the belt the same colour as the dress. I love it.
To the person who suggested that your dress looks like a nightgown: You should have countered by asking if they slept in their street clothes.
Posted by: Heather | April 14, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Two very cute dresses. I think you made the right decision about keeping the belt the same colour as the dress. I love it.
To the person who suggested that your dress looks like a nightgown: You should have countered by asking if they slept in their street clothes.
Posted by: Heather | April 14, 2008 at 08:02 PM
I really like the new dress that almost wasn't. I too would not give a second thought to that pattern until I saw your dress, it seems to have more appeal now. I think you were right not to do a contrast waist tie. It would cut you in half, not sure you want that look. I like how it looks and the fabric is "gorgeous". Your second dress is made from fabric I want but can not find!!!!! Lucky you.
Good job.
Posted by: Linda L | April 15, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Love your projects this month. Been so busy knitting and crocheting that I've completed any of my sewing projects. You have really had me thinking of knit fabrics in a whole new light. Thanks for your continued inspiration.
Posted by: Phyllis T. | April 16, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Love your projects this month. Been so busy knitting and crocheting that I've completed any of my sewing projects. You have really had me thinking of knit fabrics in a whole new light. Thanks for your continued inspiration.
Posted by: Phyllis T. | April 16, 2008 at 03:59 PM