July 9, 2010

January Jones Eat Your Heart Out...I don't really mean that.

What a whirlwind of sewing it has been. Hot, hot, hot!!! I am so pleased with how this dress came out. For the very first time since I started sewing a few months ago, I feel like a seamstress. I went all out in finishing this dress so it looks as good (almost) on the inside as it does on the outside. I am just ga ga for it.

I sit here, Thursday afternoon, waiting for hubby to come home and photograph me. He has not gotten used to the fact that he never knows who he might come home to. I could be all dressed up, as tonight, or still in my pj's. He does not really like the uncertainty of it all. I can't wait to hear what he thinks of this. Who knows, maybe he will like it, but I won't count on it.

I feel that I am a mix of Betty and Joan in this. Certainly Betty's shape, but the detail on the front neckline of the dress reminds me of Joans signature piece of jewelry. I did my hair more like Joan might wear also. My hair is too long to do a Betty hairstyle. I am also wearing foundation garments just as Joan or Betty might. Too bad I don't have a foundation to fill them with like Christina Hendricks. Oh well, not even close, but one can dream.

Let's remember the inspiration for my "BDD" Betty Draper Dress. This is a promotional photo for season 4. So it looks like with this dress I am right in Mad Men style. I like that too. I did not have the perfect shoes to wear with this dress. Betty would have. So would Joan.

I love how teeny tiny this makes my waist look. I will make this pattern again and again. Who could have imagined this pattern could look so glamorous? Well I guess I could.

Lisette at WWNDW has a tutorial on making a lapped zipper. I followed it completely and it came out perfect. I was so happy I could have jumped through the computer screen and hugged her.

The fabric was almost free. The zipper was in my stash as was the lace seam binding. The buttons, which I purchased over 10 years ago were $2.50 each and the most expensive part of the dress. They are beaded. I hope you can get an idea of how spectacular they are with these photos.
 
I got the seams in the back to match up perfectly. How did I do that?
The front skirt has a facing. Someone tell me what that is all about. Is it for structure?
I hand stitched the hem and used a sweet lace hem binding. I love how it looks and I'm sure anything that Betty would wear would have this nice element to it. I stitched it while listening to Pink Martini play Ravel's Bolero(worth looking at just for the vintage photos) Thanks Rachel for turning me on to that. It took 3 replays of the song for me to finish the hem.

19 comments:

  1. It looks gorgeous. The fabric and buttons are perfect. Very Betty.

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  2. This is simply stunning...love the fabric, love the style, love the finish! And the best thing is that it looks great on you!

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  3. You're getting good at this sewing thing Miss Lassie. You are a true domestic goddess! Beautiful dress; beautiful you!

    xoxo

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  4. Oh gosh, that is so gorgeous -- love the fabric and the fit! (And ooh, I think that pattern is in my collection too ...)

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  5. Gorgeous dress. The satin brocade is a perfect choice.
    Everyone's using hem lace at the mo, must find me some.
    Great pattern - must try and source... I would have probably opted for the front without the button trim but it totally makes the dress.
    Lovely.
    lore
    x

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  6. Congratulations on a beautiful job! It fits perfectly and the color and style look great on you. Yay!

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  7. It looks gorgeous and those buttons are just smashing! Now I regret getting rid of this pattern :( I want a mad men dress!
    I'm so relieved the zipper tutorial worked out (I'm terrified of ruining someone's project vicariously).

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  8. Beautiful dress - very Mad Men!

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  9. Stunning dress! Did you use a brocade for the cloth?

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  10. This dress is hot! You look amazing.

    Trudy
    www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com

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  11. Wow that is one hot dress! Love the color. Your lapped zipper looks great!

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  12. What a jewel! You look fantastic.

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  13. Gorgeous - so very Mad Men! I'm also a big fan of the hem lace and have started using it on everything. You look fantastic!

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  14. It looks FABULOUS! congrats! The button detail is wonderful!!!

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  15. Excellent! You look absolutely gorgeous. The dress suits your figure beautifully!

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  16. Stumbled upon your blog and so glad I did! Love your dress - very impressed with your work. You've got me excited for season 4 to start :)

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  17. It's absolutely gorgeous. Especially the fit, which really is the hard part when it comes to dress making.

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I appreciate each and every one of your comments. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me.

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