Greetings from Punta Cana! Well not really…this was a few weeks ago and going from 32 degrees Celsius to minus stupid degrees Celsius is just so cruel! I know I shouldn’t complain….I just miss that glorious weather!
And wearing dresses everyday… if I can wear a dress everyday…without tights…I am in my element. It’s the kind of element that justifies my desire to make dress after dress….after dress! I may have a problem….
It’s no secret that I love navy and white stripes, so when I saw this stretch sateen, I snapped it up, immediately knowing that I would make a strapless maxi dress. I searched though my pattern stash (aka my Pattern Stash Pinterest board) to find something that would work. Of course I couldn’t quite find what I was looking for in one pattern so a pattern mash-up was necessary.
I started with the bodice of Simplicity 1690. I loved the seaming, although, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of matching the stripes on the princess seams. I committed anyway and to my surprise it went smoother that I anticipated. Whew! The bodice is lined and though doesn’t call for boning, I added some to the side and back seams for support. After wearing it, I think it needs a waist stay added as well. I knew this as I was sewing it but ran out of time.
I love the folded over band across the high bust and the way it looks in the back! For whatever reason I had a terrible time matching the stripes in the back. The invisible zip and the stretch of this fabric didn’t want to cooperate with each other. Ugh. After many attempts, I decided to accept the matching as it is. Sometimes you just have to know when to “fold’em”!
Deciding on what style of skirt was where I was stuck. I thought that a gathered skirt would work really well with this sateen because it isn’t as stiff as you may think. But I am more of a pleated skirt kind of gal…so M6706 was pulled out…AGAIN! I made my usual changes to it….added a back seam and side seam pockets as I always do. I love this skirt and it even worked with all the added length! I did find that it fell a bit flat in this fabric so I put horsehair in the hem. I love adding horsehair to hems when it suits. In this case it really suited the dress and gave it a nicer silhouette.
This dress was a big hit with Husband aaaannnnd…… with a group of the younger 20 somethings on the resort…which thrilled me! Especially on a trip celebrating 25 years of marriage this year.
Of course you know that I made more than one dress for the trip and I wrote about another one over on Fabricville’s blog. The pattern for this floral dress is sooooo good! And of course the fabric is rayon…my fav…and I share some of my tips for sewing with rayon.
Happy anniversary! Love your dresses.
Thank you Faye!!
that stripe dress is so pretty, love it. and the wrap dress looks great too.
Thanks Beth… the wrap dress is a great pattern. It doesn’t gape at the front like wrap usually do on me.
Happy Anniversary Margo and hubby! Your photos are gorgeous…the resort looks so pretty! OH…and speaking of pretty…you look fabulous in this striped beauty of a dress!! Your stripe matching…perfect! Yep…you had me at blue and white stripes!
PS…Intentional timing? J Crew has declared this day National Stripes Day, LOL!
Thank you Sue! I had no idea that it was National Stripes day until I read your comment! Thanks for the heads up!
The blue and white stripes just scream summer and vacation so it was the perfect dress for Punta Cana! It is gorgeous and the perfect pattern mash-up. I’m sure you’ll enjoy wearing it when summer arrives where you live too.
I hope I get to wear it again! If the warm weather ever comes… Thank you Carolyn!
The dress is so pretty! Your stripe matching is great and the style lines are awesome!
The rayon dress is awesome, too. I love rayon!
And congratulations to you!
Thanks Regan!
Two beautiful dresses! And congratulations on 25 year of marriage! Now I”m just going to bask in the sunlight of your photos and pretend we haven’t had hail, snow and freezing rain in the last 24 hours…
I feel your pain Gillian! This past week has been awful.
Your striped dress is gorgeous! It’s very easy to see why you received so many compliments. You look fabulous. 🙂
Blue and white stripes are a winning combination. Lovely dress and beautifully sewn too.
Stunning stripe dress, the folded band is a fab feature and I love a maxi! The floral is fab too. Gorgeous photos, 25 years is awesome
Happy Anniversary!! What a great way to celebrate!
I love both of these dresses – but those stripes!! You did an amazing job and it looks perfect! I would have been fawning all over it too!
Happy 25 years of marriage!!!!
Your striped dress is lovely and very well fitted. I think you did an excellent job with the stripe matching. Your floral print dress is lovely as well. I saw love tropical weather!
Oh my goodness, congratulations on 25 years!! The dress looks fab Margo, glad the hubs likes it too!:)
Beautiful photos of two beautiful dresses — that sun looks just wonderful. Glad you had such a lovely getaway to celebrate 25 years!