A Real Commission

I haven’t been sewing much recently – the house has kept me busy with other projects, but recently a friend, Beth, at school commissioned me to make a dress for a wedding she was going to.

She had seen and liked my boat neck dress and asked if I could make a similar dress in lemon yellow. I drew up some sketches and she loved the 50s vibe.

On our recent trip to Birmingham I found the PERFECT fabric. Lemon yellow. Holds its shape. Very subtle animal print pattern in the weave. I snapped it up and showed her the next day. Luckily she agreed that it was the perfect find and I had the go ahead to start the dress.

After taking all of her measurements I altered my pattern and made a muslin for the bodice. As the skirt is so full I wasn’t so worried about the fit of that. I took it to school and marked the alterations needed and then began work with the fashion fabric. Because the shape is quite simple and the outer fabric is very subtle, I went for a pop of interest in the lining. It’s purely for fun on the inside, but I like the frivolity of it. I lowered the neckline from the version I’d made and raised the back slightly, but other than that it’s the same shape.

Beth wanted more of a band under the bust so I folded some lace and sandwiched it in place before topstitching the lower edge. I wasn’t sure about other embellishments so I tried a few out – a collar was too kitsch, but bows worked well so I made a few. 2 stiff ones made with the outer and lining fabric, which I interfaced and then attached a pin to and a floppy lace bow that matched the belt.

Of course I had to do a few alterations – I forget how different body shapes can be, at first I made it too big and then took it in too much! But finally it fitted beautifully and she looked lovely in it.