But SIGH. I can't help it. 'Tis the season that gets me longing for red lace frocks (remember the epic red lace dress project last year?) and mulberry-colored velvet ensembles. My lovely silk velvet is hanging around (literally) and taunting me (not literally, that would be weird). And I found the perfect pattern for my velvet.
BEHOLD.
I even made a bodice muslin in the wee hours the other night, when I should have been sleeping.
Readers, I certainly don't have time to make the dress as pictured for Christmas. But maybe I could make the bodice and slap a circle skirt on it? That would be lovely and quicker. Or perhaps (considering this will be a casual family Christmas), I will work on it in the new year. Velvet is appropriate for January and February too, right?
It would look lovely on Valentine's day! The circle skirt is a good idea too.
ReplyDeletePerfect excuse for a Special Valentine's Date!
ReplyDelete(or just wearing around, I'm tempted to wear my new red dress as shirt since the skirt can bunch up into a nice bloused edge with jeans.)
Very pretty dress & an impressive muslin you have made.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know how to make that muslin, for me that would be a great tutorial class! To see a dress & know how to duplicate it would be fabulous Gertie
Yes, I agree with the other comments; make it for Valentine's day!
ReplyDeleteThe pleating in the bodice would not be complemented adequately with just a circle skirt, it should have the pleating.
Start it now and have it ready for next Christmas! Less stress next year! Disclaimer: I am a crazy planner/anti-procrastinator who begins thinking of Christmas presents in January.
ReplyDeleteTotally appropriate for February! Make a Valentine's date out of it.
ReplyDeleteI love that pattern. I just got a lovely vintage dress pattern I will make after the Holidays! Happy Sewing!
ReplyDeleteI definitely get tempted to take on a massive project during a crunch time like this. I just decided embroidering a family portrait ornament instead of sending a card would be a great idea... for everyone. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI think you should schedule it to get started now, and get it finished for V-Day.
I hear you on the no events to wear fab Christmas dresses to thing. I have one event that I can wear the Christmas Crepe dress I made last year to and I'm still horribly over dressed. And somebody decided to make matching cheesey t-shirts for everyone to wear this year. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteIf you don't make the skirt this time consider it for another project. It's so pretty and I bet would flatter, smoother in front with nice shape.
ReplyDeleteOh sometimes I wish I weren't a short, round shaped gal.
The thing I love about red dresses is that they can be worn for Thanksgiving (with brown accessories), Christmas, Valentine's day, and for special dinners out. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the others. Perfect pattern and it needs to be made. Can you hear the chanting? Vel-vet, Vel-vet, Vel-vet!
ReplyDeleteVelvet and circle skirt could be tricksy - the nap will do a 90 degree flip and catch the light in strange ways. Could be quite exciting of course!
ReplyDeleteIs it ever not appropriate to look lovely (and you would with that dress)? I say give yourself the time to do it right. A dress like that you can wear over many years.
ReplyDeleteVelvet has a directional nap, so the nap would hang in different directions on the pieces of circle skirt. The effect might be really interesting or not the right thing at all. You might want to do a small scale test with scraps first.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it's cold outside, velvet is appropriate. So, no velvet here in S FL...
ReplyDeleteI have been dreaming of an emerald green velvet dress for myself for weeks now. No, it will not happen before Christmas, but I want it so bad I don't care when it gets done as long as it becomes real one day in my closet. If you make it, the occasion will come.
ReplyDeleteI think you should take your time and make the skirt. I really like the whole dress with the skirt!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be gorgeous with a circle skirt and totally appropriate for all of winter!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I also have velvet litterally calling me also! Hmmmm.........should I????
ReplyDeletejust gorgeous! It will be beautiful no matter when you finish it. I don't believe you will be able to wait.
ReplyDeleteSilk Velvet and Gertie's circle skirt... just finished a beautiful black silk velvet skirt for my great niece, Anne, age 7. Used the recommended horsehair and a 1948 McCalls pattern supplemented with your article.... YES IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I do know what you mean! I have absolutely no parties that would require it, but I have been haunting the velvet/taffeta section of my LFS for two weeks and dreaming of incredible dresses. Would it be too weird to make one and wear it doing the dishes on a Tuesday night? Might make it more festive, yes?
ReplyDeleteI got tired of waiting to wear the clothing that I love, so earlier this year I gave myself lifetime permission to overdress whenever I feel like it. The results: I'm having much more fun with my wardrobe, I get lots of compliments and I feel happy and fun when I go out. So, I say, do it and wear it whenever/where ever your heart desires.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you are coming from Gertie, I've got a couple of half finished projects hanging around and a beautiful piece of red shantung whispering to me to make him into a dress....for what? who knows. Buts its always the season to look pretty is my motto! Do it!(But not in the wee hours of the night because then the prettiness might be eclipsed by the bags under your eyes!)
ReplyDeleteAll your ideas for velvet would be great. That bodice is so beautiful, that making that piece to wear with a circle skirt, seems the way to go to me, for quicker gratification. Plus it might take the fanciness down just a notch wear you could wear it a lot over the next few months.
ReplyDeleteYes, It would be a perfect dress, for Valentines, or Burns Night, or have a date with my fellow night... Go for it. Just so we can see it!
ReplyDeleteI am not one to restrict a material or color to any specific season or holiday. I say make it and wear it for any occasion, special or not! Beautiful pattern choice for your lovely red velvet.
ReplyDeleteLovely! And remember the creative gift we give ourself (making something that makes our heart sing) is a gift that spreads to those we love! Can't wait to hear what you decide!
ReplyDelete*gasps*
ReplyDeleteWow, so exciting to see someone else enjoying this pattern! I found it at an estate sale, cut out in my size in a gorgeous navy printed silk. (An epic sale, the woman had been a home ec teacher and had an entire wardrobe of quality handmade clothes from the early 60s. I got 4 outfits!) The problem is, I've been too scared to sew it up for fear I'll ruin it! The underarm gussets scare me. Do you have a tutorial on this subject, or could you possibly do one in the future?
ReplyDeleteI can picture you in your fancy holiday dress on New Years Eve, drinking Champagne.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Gertie...(whom I consider a "friend-in-my-head"...)
ReplyDeleteI beg you not to 'slap' anything having to do with that lovely velvet! Your pattern choice will be exceptional in that velvet (where oh where do you find these patterns?!.....love them!)...a circle skirt wouldn't be as perfect.
If you begin now, taking (one stitch at a time), (one of my personal mantras) it certainly could be ready by New Years Eve...one of my favorite holidays!
I'll be following you!...
Remember to get some rest!...
Cynthia
I have beautiful dark blue velvet I have no idea what to do with. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteOh, hooray! It's going to be gorgeous, and totally appropriate for 1. Valentine's day, 2. fancy dates, and 3. sitting around being fancy *just because.*
ReplyDeleteI have a crazy Christmas party dress in the works too, despite having really no occasion to wear it. Twins!
I love the idea of that bodice on a circle skirt! I am filled with Christmas Party dressing ideas, without any functions to Christmas up for! I have 2 skirts made of vintage poinsettia tablecloths already and a circle skirt with holly and mistletoe in the works.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about circle skirts and Nap though, so consider carefully before you cut. I will read the rest of the comments now...so don't judge me if EVERYONE has said exactly the same thing. Happy Holidays. (And Mulberry velvet is always appropriate. ;) k.
ReplyDeleteA circle skirt in a beautiful velvet... eh... I don't mean to be rude but please take a deep breath and re-examine that line.
ReplyDeleteNap! 'Fabric with nap' and 'circle skirt' are usually mutually excluding.
That said, it's a great dress and it may work well in velvet when made in its original shape (although I'd be worried about the bulk of two skirt layers with pleats in a voluminous fabric like velvet, but of course, I don't know how heavy your velvet is and how it drapes)
It is a lovely dress. However, are you sure velvet is good for a circle skirt? Won't the nap go different ways on the sides and front/back? Can that be seen?
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. And need I say we have that pattern?
ReplyDeleteSlap a circle skirt on it?
ReplyDeleteNow you're talk'n dangerous--like you can make anything!
(and what a sense of power that is too)
In a totally shameless plug, we have that pattern for sale, and I have ALWAYS thought it was the most.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Valentines Day! I just recently found your blog and I love it. And you're a doll!
ReplyDeletethank you so much ^_^
ReplyDeletehappy nice day