Most of you know my husband is a Marine. Every year we have to get to go to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Actually, it's pretty fun - I mean we get to go out sans kids and I don't have to cook. And the place we are going again this year happens to have a really good food (including the desserts - and oh, how I hope they make us crab cakes for the appetizers, but I digress...).
The biggest problem is the dress. I hear Ball and I think, full-length prom-like dress. For the last 5 years, I've either worn old bridesmaid dresses (one while I was 8 months pregnant!) or I've borrowed them from friends.
This year, I decided to be adventurous. OR crazy, one of the two. I decided to make my own dress. But I decided to buy a simple pattern (no darts or princess seaming).
(please notice my messy table. I'm just keeping it real. Go read Amy's excellent posts here and here. I love her writing - she always expresses in words so well what most of us are thinking and/or feeling.)
I was originally going to go with a Dupioni silk - mostly because wearing silk is amazing - but it's also wrinkly and stains easily and they didn't have a color I liked. I did however find this cool embroidered taffeta, for lack of a better word. It drapes a little softer than the old stiff stuff.
And this event is next Saturday, in November. And it's getting chilly here - so I'm going to do view C with a little more substantial sleeve. I probably ought to find a shrug to wear or something.
I'm pretty sure this won't be sew & tell for this week, but will have to be done by next week!
24 crafty mcCrafters commented:
Amy, I have to laugh! I love the pattern you picked out and the fabric! It is wonderful. I can't wait to see you in the finished product, but you must post a pic of the both of you, him in his uniform and you in your new dress. I haven't made anything but a jacket with embellishments for myself in years. I have made things for my neice but no other garments. Keep us posted! Stephanie (PS: My sister is named Amy as well)
ooh - that is adventurous - but just think of how wonderful it will feel to wear something you made yourself - good luck!!
I love reading Amy's blog too - her writing is just so great!
I'm always impressed with anyone making clothes. Good luck!
You can do it! I have a dress that looks like that same cut with a wide c neck, but it has a really thin, feminine belt around the middle made of the same fabric. I find that helps it not look like a tent for those of us with a little something up top. :) Good luck!
thank you from a humbled heart...keeping it real...
the dress may or may not be all you dreamed it would be...I hope it is!...but you know what? you get to go home with Prince Charming...back to your castle and your little kiddoes...it doesn't get much better than that!
Blessings.
wow, sounds like fun. Good job choosing to make your own dress. can't wait to see it. I'm sure it will be fabulous.
Good luck. Im looking forward to seeing the finished product.
The fabric is beautiful! Have fun at the ball!!
Can't wait to see it finished....I think you will be very comfortable and dashing...or is that a word for a man??? Let's see, very stunning!!
I agree with Stephanie -- you simply must post a picture. I can't wait to see!
Oh the ball sounds like fun. My best friend and her husband are at Fort Bragg and for the last 2 years she has gotten to go to the balls they have on base. I hope your dress turns out well...I figure if you can make beautiful quilts and purses you can make a gorgeous dress too! Good luck!
i am dying to see the finished product!! that fabric is so pretty.
Once a Marine Always a Marine. I have to make a cake for the Marine Corp Birthday, because there is no Ball by us, I live in a very little town in northern MN. My husband is a Marine
Cute pattern! I love the fabric you found too - I found a dress pattern that I like a couple weeks ago, but have not done a thing with it!
You can do it! Just make little goals for each day or even each 10 minutes of free time :)
Oh, the very best of luck to you. I hope it turns out AMAZING!
joan
Love it! You're going to look great!!! It will be fun when people compliment you on your beautiful dress & you can either smartly reply that you made it yourself or quietly enjoy the satisfaction that it is all your handywork!
I always work well on a deadline. I can't wait to see photos of you in that dress! You deserve a night out. Have fun. xo
oooh, the ball. you are lucky, hub HATES to put on his blues and after three years of marriage, i have a. yet to see him in them and b. yet to go to a marine corps ball.
the ironic thing is...he just got assigned to stand guard duty for his ball this year. and sad little me, the one who actually WANTS to go, is stuck at home. bahahaha. aaah, thankfully he is career, i'll get a ball out of him one of these days ;)
your dress will look amazing, i can't wait to see a picture of it!! good luck making it, i am in awe of anyone who can sew, especially their own clothes!! and enjoy that ball, lucky lady! ;)
I work best under pressure! You'll do fabulous! I know it. You are amazing!
Just take it slow and you'll be fine. Like, do all the cutting out one night. I find if I push it and try to sew too much in one sitting, that I make too many mistakes.
Good luck! The dress is darling in the picture.
I love it Amy! It's going to be so cute on you and that fabric! Oh.my.goodness. It's fabulous! You can totally do this and since it doesn't have to be fitted (very good choice) it'll be a snap. Make sure you have the right needle, foot and thread for that material and you'll be fine. Here, let me just call my friend Sandra Betzina, LOL!, and ask her. Alright, I'm back. She says to use a standard presser foot, a 70/10 HJ needle and a good quality polyester or cotton thread. So there you have it.
p.s. thanks for the reminder to link up tomorrow!
p.p.s. one of the tips she also gave in her book was to "Experiment with tension on a scrap. Puckers become permanent. Sew taughtly, pulling with equal pressure from front to back." Then she says "you can do it!". ok, she doesn't really say that, but you really can!
WOW! I can not wait to see it! that is some gorgeous fabric, I need to learn how to sew clothes!
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