Well, whaddayaknow? It’s a fancy new dress, my latest Mood Sewing Network creation! Now, I’m not usually a print gal, but when I saw this Oscar de la Renta raw silk at Mood, I HAD TO FREAKIN’ HAVE IT. No question about it. I brought it home, petted it about 1000 times, then… could NOT decide what to do with it! My original plan was to make Simplicity 1873 (how cute would that have been?!), but the selvedge was only 36″, so I couldn’t quite make that happen. I knew I didn’t want to break up or detract from the print, but I also didn’t want my dress to scream “kimono” or look costumey, so I had a tough time choosing a new direction.

Capes and hats and gloves, oh my!
My sister actually dug up the pattern on one of our “shopping trips” (i.e., talking on the phone and sending Etsy links back and forth on G-chat… #hipsterchicks). It’s Simplicity 5359 from 1964, a simple shift dress with a little button-tab self-belt.
I spent AGES matching up the print and attempting to avoid any unfortunate pattern placement scenarios, with a reasonable degree of success, I think (if you need help figuring out pattern matching, check out Tasia’s post here). In a perfect world, the side seams would match up as well as the back, but… well, this ain’t a perfect world (or lactose intolerance wouldn’t be a thing). I removed much of the ease from the back– I like the idea of gathering up the excess with the little belt, but in reality, it just looked messy and unintentional when I tested it in muslin. I could probably stand to tighten the belt just a tad. I also shortened the dress by 6″– maybe a little much, but hey, what’s a little leg between friends? It’s fully lined and I spent like a gazillion hours hand-stitching (LIKE A BOSS)—with fabric this special, it only seems right to treat it like a lady!
This is really different from what I usually wear, but I really like it! I’ve been trying to try new things and meet new challenges in my sewing lately, in no small part due to seeing what the other Mood Sewing Network gals have been up to. What about you guys– trying anything new lately? And how do you feel about large-scale prints? What would you make with a fabric like this?
I saw once on the Science channel (yes, sometimes I watch the Science channel–my geekery has never been a secret!) where these people did an experiment in which a woman wearing a white dress asked for help from strangers (I think she was trying to borrow money for bottled water). Then they did the same test again with the woman wearing a red dress. This time she got a much greater response. Therefore, I think that every woman should have at least one amazing, but not over-the-top, red dress in her wardrobe. For those days when she needs to feel a little powerful. Or she needs to borrow money for water–you know, whichever 🙂
I think yours is an excellent “power” dress.
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WHOA! That is way interesting! It’s amazing how powerfully color affects our perceptions!
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GINGER! That dress is gorgeous on you! It’s evident that is very well made and that you took your time.
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Thank you so very much! I’m trying to get better about taking my time and doing a good job.
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Great job, it looks amazing on you! Hat’s off to a girl who can match prints- and get around embarrassing placements.
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Thanks, Angela! 🙂
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Funny, now that I’m trying to comment over on MSN, I forget that I haven’t commented over here as well. Gorgeous dress. Bravo!
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Thanks, Amy! 🙂
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Wow, great dress!! That fabric is perfect for that pattern and that pattern is just perfect for you!!
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Agreed! It’s just super super flattering all around, and I haven’t seen a lot of dresses like it!
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Thanks, girl! You would look super cute in this style! I could totally see you rocking a ’60’s look!
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Thanks, Jennifer! 🙂
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I love this red on you! Way to match up/line up the print so that everything looks just so, and those side tabs are such a cute detail. Great job!!
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Thanks, Cindy!
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great use of an awesome print with a simple, beautiful dress! bold and gorgeous!
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Thanks, Devra! 🙂
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What a great way to use the print! I also love the button tab detail. This is a perfect date dress!
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I love this dress so much! That fabric is really gorgeous! I’m trying to find something kind of similar for a dress for a friend’s wedding in December… not had much luck around here.
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Thanks, Alexandra! Good luck with your fabric search! I hope you find something fabulous!
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This is such a classy dress, and so flattering! You look lovely. Love that fabric! Great choice.
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Thanks, Becca! I love your blog, btw! It’s very cute!
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Amazingness! The back print matching is so impressive lady! xxx
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Thanks, Zoe! 🙂
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I am in love with your fabric! What an amazing dress!
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Thanks, Jen! 🙂
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This looks great on you, and I’m impressed how perfectly the pattern matches! The print is really unique:)
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Thanks, Chie! 🙂
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It’s stunning girl – a great colour – really suits! I’ve somehow only just come across this post – don’t know how I missed it but my blog reader is seriously overloaded. I hope you’ve survived Sandy and are doing well!
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Thanks, Katy! You’re so sweet! All’s good in the ‘hood!
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adorable dress and so are you in it!
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Thanks a million! 🙂
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What spectacular fabric! Seriously – I understand why you could not resist – the design is fabulous. LOVE it made up as this pattern!! The button belt is perfect, making this a most marvelous piece! I’m pretty sure I’m drooling over here omg.
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Thanks, Meg! You’re too sweet! I’m definitely stealing the button belt for future dresses!
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you are so cute! and that dress is fab! it looks like the fit is perfect. well done!
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Thanks, Dixie!!
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I’d probably make a cheongsam out of it. Super cute!
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Ooh, that would be so cool!
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