Which Dress is Best?

Below are the two dress options I am considering for my class project.  Make sure you read my ideas along with looking at the pictures - it will make a huge difference!  I hope you are able to "see" what I see - my vision for these dresses.  We don't need to have our patterns picked out for at least a week or two because we are going to start working with these fabrics to give us a better idea before we decide exactly which dress to make.  Who knows - maybe I will change my mind completely after working with lace next week! 

Let me know which dress you like best!

OPTION #1:  Vogue Dress: Badgley Mischka
First of all let's talk about the fact that it is a Badgley Mischka design.  That, in and of itself, is enough of a reason to make this dress!  I think this is a gorgeous dress, but I am uncertain of where I would have to wear it.  The only change I would make on this dress is probably to bring the bust together so it is a little less low cut: a little less "J-Lo", if you know what I mean.  And I don't know what colour I would make it in either.

OPTION #2:  McCalls Dress

This one is going to need a little more imagination on your part.  My idea is to make the dress out of a really beautiful fabric like a dupioni silk or a silk faille (trust me - very nice, and structured) and then add a layer of lace over the bodice of the dress (top half).  Then perhaps I would add a lace trim along the bottom of the skirt.  Version A is the one I would make, but it has the entire dress with a lace overlay - I would probably just do the top half.  Or perhaps I would add version C's sleeves.  How beautiful would a textured dupioni silk with a french lace overlay be?  Plus, I love how the dress has the side slant pockets, which makes it a bit more stylish.  The only pattern change I might make would be to make the neck line a bit lower - a deeper scoop.  As for colour, it would likely be in the grey or champagne colour palettes.  It would depend on the lace colour, but I wouldn't want the underlining to contrast too heavily - moreso just complement the lace (not match it).  This would be a much more "wearable" dress, especially because it isn't a floor-length gown.

Class is in session...

I started my class on Tuesday.  As I have previously mentioned, I am taking courses at Mohawk College in Hamilton in dressmaking.  I am working towards getting my Dressmaking Certificate:  it is eight classes in total, and this one will be my sixth class.  I take one class per semester, and each one is 10 weeks long:  it's a lot of work considering I am working a full time job, plus the rest of my life.

I have been looking forward to this particular course though.  It is the evening wear / special occasion outfit class.  We learn how to work with specialty fabrics (e.g. lace, satin, silks, etc.), boning, beading, shirring, etc., and then we also sew an outfit for ourselves (from a pattern).  I am excited to learn a lot in this class, because every other class thus far has dealt with fabric that is quite easy to work with.  Moreso, I would really like to start sewing more with delicate fabrics:  I love the idea of designing and creating beautiful gowns and dresses.

But because I haven't learned yet how to take my own ideas to the fabric, I am stuck using a pattern!  I have narrowed it down to two patterns, I think.  One dress is gorgeous but I would have nowhere to wear it, and the other one is less fancy, and definitely more wearable (but still would be beautiful).  Perhaps I will post the two options, and see if anyone else has an opinion?

Hello, Judy!

Everyone, meet Judy! In the dressmaking world, sewing mannequins have cheerfully been nicknamed "judy." This is my Judy, and at this present junction I would like to point out the fact that "judy" is one of those words that if you say it enough, it doesn't sound like you're saying it right anymore. A little known fact, I'm sure.

More importantly, it's what is on Judy that I wanted to write about. This is the lined jacket that I just completed a few weeks ago for my dressmaking class. This is the fifth class (of the dressmaking certificate's eight courses) I have completed. I hope to complete all the ten-week courses, and then also eventually take pattern drafting and fashion drawing. My full time job (and desire to have friends) only leaves me enough time to take one night class a semester, if that. It's a slow, arduous process, but I will finish! Not very disappointing, once you consider the fact that I started with only the experience that grade 7 and 8 home economics afforded me... back in.... grade 7 and 8.

I'm excited to wear this jacket, once the weather cools down again. Mind you, I'm perfectly happy with summertime weather right now!