9.08.2013

after the storm

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An aptly named post (if I do say so myself) referencing both the fact that these photos were, literally, taken after an entire day of thunderstorms, and also that this is my first post after my self-imposed hiatus during the month of August - a month which was quite the emotional roller-coaster (hence the likening to a storm...) Aaaand now you know the secret behind my enigmatic blog-post-titles... I'm sure you've been waiting with bated breath for that little nugget of Sallie gold... (sarcasm).

It feels wonderful to be back in this space again after the month I've had! Not that it was all bad, it truly wasn't. For instance, my parents came to visit for a nice long weekend, which was absolutely lovely (miss you guys!!) and I discovered the joys of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple on Netflix (laugh all you want... that shit is tight). But I did have more on my plate than I'm generally used to, which usually turns me into an emotional wreck - or, as my husband so shrewdly noted - I just don't handle extra stress well. Too true, my friends. Too. True.

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Early on, in the beginning of last month, I started working on this dress.  I was making excellent progress, but then I had to set it aside to work on the project for my friend I mentioned in my last post. I picked it up again last weekend and was utterly thrilled to be working on sewing clothes again.  I guess that elation was a bit premature since I ended up making a pretty major snafu on this pretty little number.  But let's not jump right into the negatives... why don't we relish the good stuff for a bit, eh?

This is Victory Patterns' Chloe dress, made out of some absolutely delightful metallic coated linen from Tessuti fabrics, and entirely lined in rayon bemberg. This is basically the same stuff I used to make my moss mini skirt (here) except in a different color-way.  The linen has a very subtle, 'natural linen' color with a pretty silver sheen.  It's probably best suited for when I have a bit of a summer 'glow', otherwise I might look like a zombie, and I promised to put my brain-eating ways behind me for good (this time). 

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I really wanted to use a pattern that would just let this fabric shine (pun intended). Despite the fact that this may not be my most flattering color, I still wanted a whole garment made out of it.  I thought the Chloe dress, with it's 60's, modish look, might compliment the fabric well (even give it a slightly space-y vibe... much nicer than zombies...) And so I went with it! Plus, I really don't have anything like this in my closet, to date, and I'm always looking to diversify my stock (p.s. I had to ask my husband what that meant, that's how much I know about owning stock!) In the end, I don't know if I ended up with quite the mod/space-y look I had in my head, or more of a ladies-who-lunch type thing, but either way, I'm digging it.

I cut Version 1 of this dress in a straight size 6, but then had to take it in at the underarms by about 5/8 of an inch on either side, tapering to nothing at the waist.  In retrospect, I probably could have gotten away with making a size down, but I was feeling a bit big when I measured myself for this.  Does anyone else make this mistake when you begin a project right before your period? I always end up being a bit generous with my sizing when I do that! Regardless, even if it isn't the most form-fitting (and I don't think this dress is supposed to be) I'm really happy with the overall look.  I chose to use the button placement of Version 2 to add some visual interest to what would otherwise be a very plain dress. The faux welt-pocket-button magic that's going on there is pretty clever, with a little snap hid underneath the button to keep that flap closed. 

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So perhaps at this point you are wondering to yourself, "what is this snafu she mentioned..." well feast your eyes on this!!!

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GAH!!! Horror of horrors! What is that THING??!?! 

That, my friends, is an exquisitely inserted invisible zipper - from the outside - and some serious gnashing of teeth on the inside! You see, since there was such a long gap of time between when I started this dress and when I finished it, I mistakenly skipped the clever instructions for machine stitching the lining to the zipper tape.  As a consequence I was forced to slip stitch the lining to the zipper. No biggee, I've done this before. The first side went in beautifully (as you can see) but the second side - egads! The zipper just wanted to eat that shit up. As you can see, chaos ensued, I had to rip out all my sweet little hand stitches and since then it's just been hanging out like that. Really, it works just fine as it is, and since the center back seam of the lining was cut on the selvedge I'm not terribly worried about fraying. I'm usually a huge subscriber to the 'beautiful inside and out' line of sewing thought... but this time... I might just let it go. At least until my rage passes...

And with that, friends, I leave you! May you all have a lovely start to your weeks!

xo

33 comments:

  1. I love everything about it, it inspires me to get the pattern and make up my own version sometime soon. If you're worried about looking washed out, just accessorize with brightly colored items (such as a red cardigan), neutrals are meant to be layered.

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  2. I love how beautifully you are framed by all that greenery in the top photo! The green goes so well with the gold too. You're a golden goddess!! :)

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  3. This is super chic, I love what you did with it. Happy to see you blogging again!

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  4. I was looking forward to seeing what else you would do with coated linen! What an elegant lady dress. With those sweet buttons. I can see what you mean... it could totally go sci-fi with maybe a severe ponytail and some knee boots. (Or is that too Star Trek?) I bet that fabric has the coolest shimmering when you are walking around in it.

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  5. Glad you are back! And with such a pretty dress to boot :) sorry about the zipper, I can't think of a magical solution to that. But hey, what everybody will see is a beautiful shiny dress!

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  6. Zombie/ spacey/ mod/ ladies who lunch- either way this dress looks effortless! There's something about simple silhouettes like this that I find so easy to wear. And these metallic linens have almost persuaded me to get over my linen aversion and get with the programme!!

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  7. This is the second lovely version of the Chloe I've seen recently and I just love that fabric you've chosen! The buttons looks great too, and like you say, at least the mistake is on the inside so no one else will see it.

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  8. Gosh, I was squinting at your first two photos trying to figure out what awesome type of fabric you had sewn with that I had never heard of before - so sheeny and so earthy at the same time! Metallic linen you say? Niice. Like Jenny says - I think this could be the linen that makes me want to sew with linen. I'm going to have to check it out! I actually rather like the nude-y colour on you - it brings out the chocolate-y-ness of your eyes (which are gorgeous). Such a pretty creation. As for the zip... I feel you you, but at the same time, it's so wonderful to know I'm not the only one who does shit like that! Just gorgeous :) And love the photos!

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  9. Oh welcome back and with such a bang. I had never really thought of sewing up this pattern but now I really want to. Just love that shiny linen. Your photos are ace too.

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  10. The beautiful creamy and shimmery fabric really stands out against all of the greenery in the background. Everyone knows I cannot resists anything sequins, sparkly or shiny so this dress is an absolute winner in my book. I love it! and it's true, the pattern does let the fabric shine. It's a perfect combination. You look stunning, Sallie!

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  11. I've been wondering when you were going to grace us with another Sallie creation. Been hanging out for it! This dress is way cute and metallic linen sounds dreamy.

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  12. You finished it! I love it! Very Jackie O. Buttons are adorable. I'm sorry you had a glitch with the zipper. You did not need THAT last month!

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  13. I looooooove this! I've been eyeballing some metallic linen at Mood all summer (it looks amazing, but feels a little plasticky and gross, so I've skipped it thus far) and now I wish I'd bought it! This looks great on you! I need to revisit this pattern again-- it's really cute ( made a total cockup with the taffeta I used and ended up throwing the whole dress away in a serious tantrum). Seriously loving this look on you. And the tropical photo shoot you've got going on-- so cool!

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  14. I just saw your pretty little face and got so excited I could hardly contain myself. Love this metallic linen business - I never sew with linen but you make me feel like I'm being foolish about my wrinkle phobia. I haven't seen many makes of this pattern but it's kind of the perfect shift dress; simple, easy, comfy dress that I don't have enough of.

    4 more sleeps!

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  15. Gorgeous, just gorgeous! Brilliant fabric choice for this pattern!

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  16. Beautiful and I love the colour! What a shame about the inside, but if you hadn't told us, we would never have known! Let's just keep it as a secret between us!

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  17. Nice one! I've been thinking about getting this pattern for a while now but there isn't really anywhere I can wear it to.. Hope everything weird's been sorted out!

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  18. I love the buttons on this and the overall shape (and the fabric!). You look terrific. I have small snafus like that all the time (including a lining eaten by zipper snafu this summer that.I patched up with another small square of lining fabric). That said, I am definitely not a subscriber to the beautiful insides type of sewing. Decent, yes, and hand-sewn, neat hems and facings where they matter, yes, but beautiful inside only within reason. I tend to measure up the probable number of times I am going to wear the garment in my lifetime against the time I want to invest on the inside (so much to do, so little time).

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  19. I am totally about to post something I finished ages ago in the exact fabric!!! I saw it on your last post and thought I could tell what it was. You totally beat me to the punch! It doesn't make me love this fabric any less tough. Your make is gorgeous!!

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  20. Beautiful Chloe! I really love the little buttons down the front. I fiished mine in a linnen aswell, great fabric for this kind of dress right? Reading your post just reminded me that I have to add snaps add the pockets too. Weird gaping when you sit is what happens otherwise.. Love the tropical pictures!

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  21. Shut up that's linen! It's definitely looks like some awesome space like fabric from the future. Bugger about that naughty zipper, but it's absolutely smashing from the outside :)

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  22. Sallie, this dress looks so great from the exterior - the lines of the dress are super flattering - that you can forget about what happened on the inside. I'm glad your life is getting back to normal. I don't handle stress very well either. I sort of choke up.

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  23. You know, as much as I love to make my shit look pretty on the inside, sometimes you just gotta accept that the outside is as good as it gets! Haha! :) Also, I totally have a couple of dresses that have this exact same lining-mishap on the inside - although mine are more from improperly measuring the lining (aka can't get my ass in there, oops, might as well tear it open).


    Seriously, though, your outside looks good. Reeeeally good! And I think the color looks great on you, but I always think you look good in those lights/whites where I just look sick. SO there's that :)

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  24. That fabric is SCRUMPTIOUS - the colour is great on you, too, not undead at all!! :) Oh the horror of zippers... they've been the bane of my existence lately so I totally feel your pain. And it's just nauseating thinking of going back to fix something like that after you're done with it, isn't it?? Who cares, I say - you look great, and no one has to know!! :)

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  25. Loving it, Sallie! As for the balls up of the zipper/lining, the amount of my makes that look like total shit on the inside...well that'd be all of them!


    On another note, I recently purchased some procion dye gear and am soooo gonna dye the shit outta some fabric.

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  26. Hey, I was waiting around for you to post (not in a stalker way) and I just adore what you made! And not just because you were channeling the 60s, which you know I love :)

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  27. That dress gives off quite a fancy pants vibe. You must just shine walking down the street! I need to try out Victory Patterns...

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  28. This is beautiful, Sallie! Totally a Jetsons lady-who-lunches (and who'd have thought that would be such a good thing?). I don't remember seeing this pattern sewn up before, but it's CHIC. I try not to use that word too much, so when I do it's gotta be in all caps because I really mean it.

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  29. So pretty & mod! I that wasn't crazy about the pattern until now, but I love it! I have the same linen in my stash, though I don't think it will flatter my complexion in the same way -- those pale beigey neutrals look fantastic on you!

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  30. The dress looks smashing on you! Love the fabric, and the buttons that you have added give it a sophisticated touch. You are making me want to work with linen. Zippers can be so pesky!

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  31. Really sorry to hear you've had a lot on your plate recently, but its great to see you come back with such a cool make! I definitely think it looks more 60s mod than ladies who lunch...but anything's cute on you to be honest! It's good to see your pretty face!

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  32. That is one fabulous dress! I love this shimmery fabric.
    and...aah well... your lining is fucked up, but really... who sees that (you know, other than your readers.. hehe)? The outside looks gorgeous!

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  33. Lovely dress and it looks great on you. I just love this pattern, I think I've made it up at least 8 times!

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