After last week's discussion of novelty-print dresses, I decided to give the whole thing a try. I'd been working up a muslin of Simplicity 2444, and figured this would be the perfect chance to try it out in an inexpensive fabric.
Once I had the bodice sewn up, I was struck with design inspiration for the back.
Can I please pat myself on the back for matching up the print across the invisible zipper? That's the pull dangling over the blonde lady's face.
Print placement is obviously important, and I almost ran out of fabric fussing over the layout, even though I had 5 yards. I knew I wanted to get the "Home Sewing Is Easy" banner on the bodice, but not in a weird place.
The print isn't quite as overwhelming as I anticipated, but it surely clashes with my hair! A belt worked well to balance the print (it's from Modcloth, and I'm obsessed with it). With so much going on, the only thing to do was to pair it with a tasteful nude pump and call it a day.
I have more to say about this dress's construction, which I'll have to get to in another post. Back to writing pattern instructions for the book!
It looks great! I LOVE the back! It's got enough solid colors that it doesn't look too busy, and you've broken it up beautifully with a statement belt! Another well done, lady!
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely gorgeous. love it!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely fantastic. i'm so inspired!
ReplyDeleteSuper cool!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! You are always such and inspiration! I have had the love of fabric and sewing for as long as I can remember (you and I are about the same age). I buy the crazy prints and use them for my kids clothes... but now you have inspired me to "let my freak flag fly"....LOL and make some cute dresses for myself out of them. (I noticed you have no tats on your back...whats up with that! lol) That's where I started with tats first! I am in the process of making a super cute halter dress out of Pat Sloans fruit and veggie stand fabric. Its white background with red cherries and green leaves. Its super cute! I look forward to your posts as the inspire me! Thanks and you look great! Love the back of the dress!
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm saving my back for a really huge piece. It's still virgin territory . . . :)
DeleteLol! My back is nearly complete. I am a nature girl, so I have birds, flowers, butterflies etc back there! I love it!
DeleteLove it, the back detail is fantastic and works really well with that print! Excellent job on matching the print.
DeleteLove the surprise of the back detail. Super cute dress!
ReplyDeleteOh I must score some of that fabric for me! Love the back detail and I am very impressed with how well you matched the back!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about doing something with this fabric for a while. Love your version! Can't wait to hear about how you constructed the back.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteWow--that pattern matching over the zipper is very impressive. Tutorial please!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amber, you matched up the fabric flawlessly! Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteCute dress and love the belt too! :)
ReplyDeleteInsane zippering!Love the whole back! So cute! Ooooh,and coming from a tattoo artist I haveto say that your back is such an important piece... It's great you are thinking into that one. Keep in mind the top of your back in terms of what will peek out of your clothes on your back piece because that can not only express you but make an outfit.Ha! That is such a girl tat artist thing to say.Yikes :-)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous back detail, and I am in awe of your pattern-matching!
ReplyDeletei love the fabric, perfekt match with the red waistbelt
ReplyDeleteLove it, and the back detail is a great addition. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThat turned out great. I sew with novelty fabric a lot and I have also found that it is better to break it up a bit. I love the back!!!!!!!! You are so inspiring.
ReplyDeleteOh my god I love love love!!!!!!!!!! I have no other words!!!
ReplyDeletemust get some of this fabric someday! so cheeky, i love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful, Gertie! I can't wait for the post on construction of the back detail.
ReplyDeleteWell there is plenty of pink in the "Home Sewing is Easy" panel conveniently close to your face, so I say give yourself a break on the clashing! A very fun print and dress. And you rocked that zipper!
ReplyDeleteLove it! And that back detail is inspired!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress, and you might try it also with a belt that matches the color of your hair.
ReplyDeleteI love it, Gertie. The dress looks wonderful on you, the haircut is nice too. You are right, the tasteful shoes really top off the look.
ReplyDeleteI disagree: I think it looks great with your hair. The colour looks like it could have leapt out of the comic print itself!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, I am in love with this dress. Incredibly cute, and so flattering!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to find the words to tell you how much I love the dress but I am too busy jumping around, clapping my hands together and squealing excitedly. I'm kind of glad there is no one here to see me. Yup! You've created something special there :-)
ReplyDeleteI love how the dramatic back is echoed in the cartoon character's own dress with white flaps and buttons. It's a cool dress, and I'm sure it was no easy feat lining up everything as perfectly and strategically as you did. Thumbs up!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, and looks smashing on you! I have to tell you, I had some of that fabric a couple of years ago and made a blouse with it. The blouse was fine, but it looked horrid on red-headed, light-skinned me. That print definitely wore me rather than the other way around. Be glad you've got enough oomph, whether with dark or pink hair, to stand your ground against a bold print!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the post on the construction detail!!! Love the dress and I even have the pattern already ;) Really fabulous dress.
ReplyDeleteOMG, this is amazing! I wish I had the balls to wear something so bold. Like everyone else, I love the back detail and don't even know how you could match a pattern that exactly! Simply brilliant!
ReplyDeleteAdorable. And I am SUPER impressed by the pattern matching over the zipper. Well done. :)
ReplyDeleteWant this dress in the worst way! Love a 50s style dress, but have never done the novelty print. Will be looking forward to the tutorial
ReplyDeleteWow, what perfect matching at the back! Love the back neckline detail too.
ReplyDeleteThat turned out awesome! Major kudos for the fabric matching, and I love the back. Can't wait to hear more about it.
ReplyDeleteFound some more words lol. I adore the pockets :)
ReplyDeleteThis turned out GREAT and what a good job matching up on that invisible zip!!!
ReplyDeleteI can hardly believe how much I love this dress....even though it is miles out of my comfort zone....I'd wear that in a heartbeat.....I know I have similar fabric in my stash, too...I'm so making this!
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous! I don't think the print is overwhelming at all and your "back collar" and the belt are simply scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteThat is ADORBS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome dress and I love how you played with the silhouette to add more character, but not make it overwhelming. Kudos to you for perfect print placement!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this dress!!!!!....I just made a jumpsuit out of some "interesting" fabric myself...this dress is everything! :)))))
ReplyDeleteOh so lovely!!! I own a FQ in that fabric and simply love it! The dress is absolutely beautiful and can't wait to see the others in the book. Xoxo Giusy
ReplyDeleteomg you are killing me here!! i love it
ReplyDeleteFreakin' awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! Nice job about that zipper! And I love the back too. it's a beatiful solution to just a plain back. I like the pattern and the fabric is just lovely, and it really speaks for itself, making total sense. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAs a second thought, I am wondering about the bust dart. I can't see any! How did you shape your bodice???
ReplyDeleteThat's truly beautiful! Love the back detail, and the belt. Cheers, Anne-Marie
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you can pat yourself on the back, and we'll pat too! Excellent job on matching the print!! And I absolutely love what you did with the back. Love your anchor tat!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is smashing! And the print matches in all the right places, fabulous job! Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteThe fabric placing is perfection and I love the detail on the back. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove it all, the print, the surprise round the back and wow at that zipper!
ReplyDeleteLove the back detail and the matching across the zipper is perfection. it would be fun to see people react to the dress in public. I wonder if anyone comes up to read your dress?
ReplyDeleteI really love it Gertie especially the back detail well done.
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome you matched up the print on the back! Looks great, as always. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks great and I love the back detail!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The print match w/invisible zipper is really awesome. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteWow! So ridiculously cute! I love these novelty prints and you do such a fantastic job of lining up the print! You need matching nails ;) http://kissmytips.jamberrynails.net/home/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2214#.Uo_8zmRgYmg
ReplyDeleteThis is superb! You always manage to top yourself somehow.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your post on how you did the back detail, it looks great.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love it... I really love what you did with the back.
ReplyDeleteLove the back...and that pattern placement at the zipper...perfection!
ReplyDeleteThis. dress. is. awesome. I love the back collar, and your pattern placement is absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another gorgeous garment!
Love the dress and the way you styled it!
ReplyDeletewww.seamstressfromvenus.wordpress.com
I just love the back detail!! I have found prints require more fabric, simply because you have to watch where you place certain elements of the design, or where you want to place them.
ReplyDeleteYour pattern matching and placement is super impressive. Great dress! I love the back detail and look forward to your post on achieving that :)
ReplyDeleteI had to giggle a little when I saw that you made a dress in this print! It is so funky! I also really liked your pattern choice...maybe I will have to catch that one on sale.
ReplyDeleteVerey cute dress. The back is a great touch - very impressed with how you lined up the fabric, front and back.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!!
ReplyDeleteReally stunning, Gertie. And that print matching is awesome.
ReplyDeleteIncredible craftsmanship!!! Your skills are enviable!
ReplyDeleteI have that Bettie Page dress in leopard print. It's a lovely fit and super comfy. The flaps at the back don't have a button on each side though, one side has a button and the other a buttonhole, so you can actually close up the flaps for more coverage. I love the dress you have made, I think I'm going to have to buy this pattern and give it a whirl. x
ReplyDeleteWow, this dress is awesome!
ReplyDelete