September - My Favorite Month of the Year

2008

2024

Hello everyone, 

It's my favorite month of the year!  It's also my birthday month. I'm feeling blessed to still be here. All praises to God!

Many of you, who have followed me on social media platforms, know that I celebrate my birthday by making myself a special dress to wear either to Women's Conference or to include with my travel wardrobe to some lovely destination.  I love making a special dress to celebrate my birth and to express my gratitude to God for my wonderful gift of creativity.

2021

2023

2022

2022

This year I didn't make a special dress.  Because there were just too many other commitments.  But, I plan to make something extraordinary next year to make up for the past two years of not making anything special for my birthday.  

So, today I want to share some of my favorite birthday dresses.  I hope you feel inspired to make something special for yourself.  

So, here are some of my all-time favorite handmade dresses.

2016

2018

2018

2019

2014

Birthday Dress 2024 0 Simplicity S9820

Bonjour Sewing Friends,

Really quick post on my birthday dress.  I made it a few weeks before leaving for French.  I used Simplicity S9820.  I also used it for the crepe knit dress I made in June.  That project is posted here with all the pattern adjustments and details.  

The challenge for my red, sequin stretch velvet version was sewing through the sequins.  And using a size 16 embroidery sewing machine needle worked just fine.  It enabled me to NOT remove all of the sequins from the stitching path of the needle.  

I purchased my fabric from New Rainbow Fabrics on Roosevelt Road in Chicago.  At the time, they were having a 30 percent off sale.  So I got three yards for under $70.00.  For the facing at the neckline, I used a stretch velvet for a smooth surface against my skin.  Also, I lined it with a simple tricot knit.  So the dress was comfort to wear.

This dress did not take long to make.  Like the first version, it went together smoothly. I eliminated the bust dart by easing in the access fabric along the side.  Also, I needed to take it in a bit.  So, if I use the pattern again, I'll need to reduce my initial adjustments.  

There nothing more I could really add to the process.  I love how it turned out and it fits pretty well. 

 

Happy Sewing!

Cennetta

 

 

Paris and London Birthday Trip - Paris City Tour and Birthday Dinner at the Moulin Rouge

Gardens Luxembourg

Day 3 - My Special Day and Celebration  (very long post)

I was so excited to be maybe to travel to Paris for my very special day.  For two years, I planned this event.  Dinner and show at Moulin Rouge was a must do on my actual birthday.  But before our spectacular evening at Moulin Rouge, we went on a Paris City Tour all arranged by Darlene Jones and Gate 1 Travel Agency.  We toured by bus being able to get off and on at various location.  The tour included a drive along Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.  We were able to view the Eiffel Tower (from many angles and locations. Lol), the Latin Quarter, and the lively Opera District.  The Paris City Tour gave us an opportunity to preview Paris.    

Below are a few pictures that I took along the way.  

Eiffel Tower

Arc de Triomphe

Bazar de L Hotel Deville Paris

L'acteur Grec

Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris ( rebuilding)

Part II - My Birthday Celebration at Moulin Rouge

I was excited to celebrate at the Moulin Rouge.  Everyone was dressed to the nine, at my request. Lol  I wanted everyone to "sparkle".  We all wore something sequined.  I made a ruby sequined, stretch velvet dress.  The pattern that I used is Simplicity S9820.  I made a day dress early June using the same pattern.  So this was easy.  The only challenge that I had was with the sequin.  Here are some photos of the evening.  I will post more on the pattern project review next.  This is just to continue the posts on my Birthday celebration to Paris and London.  

Photos from Moulin Rouge - birthday celebration.

Stay Tune!

C