Quintessential Little Black Dress

The Quintessential Little Black Dress is always on trend.   It's an easy solution for most occasions.  The selection of RTW styles is endless.   There is something for every age and every lifestyle.  But of course, most of my followers make their own LBD's.  So, how many LBD's does a lady need?

This year I made two, and it's only February.  Both dresses were made using patterns previously reviewed.  So I won't re-review them.  Details on the reviews are here (B5672) and here (S2054).

Sorry, I only have one picture of me wearing my new LBD, but I managed to get a few more indoor shots of DD in her new dress.

For my dress, I purchased a burnout stretch velvet.  I wanted to make a dress to wear to the American Opera Society Gala last December. I did not make it until early January.   I used a nude knit lining, hoping it would show through the burnout section of the velvet.  No luck.

DD's dress is made from a textured knit from my stash.  Anyway, we both have a new LBD to add to our wardrobe.

Happy Sewing!
C

My Little Black Dresses - New Look 6824 Part II

In August, I shared my intentions to make my LBD's for Fall 2010. Both dresses are finished but, not in time to enter the already awarded PR LBD contest. Rats..., Seriously...,

I wore one for the Captains Ball (cruise) and the other just a few days ago. I love them both for different reasons. LBD-1 The sash is cute and creates a waist for me. LBD-2 is just classic: The ruffled neckline combined with the fabric. Love, love. It's amazing how you can use one pattern to achieve different looks. For these LBD's I used New Look 6824, same pattern I used for my 2008 birthday dress. My first thought was to try the full skirt for the first LBD, but the remnant that I purchased was not long enough to accommodate the skirt. So, plan B, slim skirt.

In this review I'm describing the my process, my thoughts on the fabric, and the feel/fit of both dresses hoping not to confuse you. So here goes.

Pattern Description: Misses Design Your Look Dresses. This pattern includes a variety of necklines, skirts, and sleeves style that can be mixed and matched.

LBD-1 I used B+C+E+G+I+J
LBD-2 I used A+E+G


Pattern Sizing: 8-18, I used size 14 with modifications.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Both dresses looked like the basic design lines for the pattern drawings.

Were the instructions easy to follow? No difference from what I reported in the first go round. The instructions were pretty standard. Some processes were added/changed based on my design changes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the versatility of this pattern and the "vintage" appeal. There are many, many options.

Fabric Used: LBD-1 is made of peach skin from JoAnn's(Bodice) and a beautiful jacquard from Vogue's(skirt). The photo does not do the jacquard justice. It was easy to sew. On the other hand, the peach skin was a bear to achieve that smooth finish we all love to get with in-set sleeves. So I decided to live with my second attempt. Peach skin is very tightly woven. I suppose I could have reduce the amount of ease..., Next, time.

LBD-2 is made from a black on black hounds tooth from Vogue's. The fiber contain of the weave of the hounds tooth contained the flexibility needed to insert the perfect sleeve. I was lucky to find a two yard remnant of this quality.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
For both -
FBA
Prominent shoulder blade adjustment
Added two inches to the length of the skirt
Lined the skirt
installed an invisible zip.

LBD-1 -
- I finished the hem with a slit attaching the lining to it.

LBD-2 -
- Carefully planned the layout to line up the hounds tooth pattern throughout the dress.
- Shorten sleeves by a inch or so (limited fabric)
- Added organza ruffled trim to the neckline and sleeves. The trim was on an elastic band. So I stayed the neckline. Then I used a thin strip of stitch witchery to hold the trim in place while I basted it to the dress. Next I follow the steps described in the instruction finishing the with understitching.
- Added facing to the sleeves for a polished finish



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is now one of my TNT/slopers. I'll probably use it again and again. And yes I do recommend it to others.

Jewelry Made by my DD



Conclusion: This is a great dress pattern that provides many design options for that classic, "vintage" look.