Here's the remake. Yeah, I know it's hard to tell the difference, but trust me ... this one feels and hangs a lot better, especially after switching out the original doubleknit used for the skirt in favor of a thinner and drapier rayon/Lycra. And, of course, ditching the butt pleat. "Butt pleat" doesn't even *sound* attractive, does it? ;-)
I realize it's hard to see any front pleat details at all in the black so I tried to lighten up the pic a bit. Even then, it wasn't very cooperative and this is the best I could do.
I felt girly and swirly wearing this today and received unsolicitations from just about everyone in the office, so it's obviously a Win! pattern/style for me (as many of you confirmed), especially now that I've worked through the quirks and annoyances of the first go.
These photos were taken after I got home from work and now that I've worn it all day, I don't think I'd change anything else not mentioned earlier but I do want to triple emphasize (tripleemphasize-tripleemphasize-tripeemphasize!) interfacing the midriff band.Not only does the midriff hold up the entire full skirt, it also sits where your body naturally bends and scrunches. The interfacing kept the dress' midriff - and mine - neat, supported, and flat all day long. Or in my case, the illusion of flat. ;-)
In non-sewing news, the Marine officially re-enlisted this past weekend. On the blue Boise State football field!! He still has about 10 months left on his initial tour, but starting next August, he'll be in for at least another four years. Hopefully, I'll be able to share soon what his next job in the Corps is going to be but we need to wait for the Top Secret security clearance to go through first and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that process. Needless to say, Proud Mom here! And even better, he's heading down to Florida tomorrow for the weekend. It's been over 6 months since I've seen him, so I can't wait!
I'm glad you were able to make the dress work for you because not only is it flattering to you but the black and white print is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan of the first version, but I like your remake. I think making the skirt out of the rayon and shrinking the midriff band was the way to go. This dress looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteLooks great on you. Glad you were able to beat it into submission. Love the Marine's eye mask BTW!
ReplyDeleteYour Red Velvet looks great! Just say NO to butt pleats! Thank you to your son for is service! Glad you get to see him soon...our airman, daughter and grandson are in Texas now and it's a lot easier trip than when they were stationed in the UK!
ReplyDeleteI knew you could pull this off.
ReplyDeleteGreat job.
Cute dress. I like wearing "swirly."
ReplyDeleteYou do look girlie in your new frock.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to your marine too.
You look gorgeous! I love this dress and how it looks on you, and I have been reading your series on this pattern avidly. I'm a much less experienced sewist than you, and found the Tiramisu dress by Cake just wonderful compared to the difficulty I'd had learning the art of the successful FBA with 'big four' patterns. My base point of knowledge and success is very very much different to yours though. I have the paper pattern for the Red Velvet and am going to use the neckbinding method you described. I will be halving the midriff band as I know from the Tiramisu that anything deeper/wider doesn't work well for me.
ReplyDeleteDress looks great! Glad you stuck with it. I am so happy you will see your Marine this weekend - have fun!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, the remake looks v. chic 'n' sleek on you - great job :)
ReplyDeleteYou have tamed that pattern. I must see the black and white also lights you right up. More of this, Debbie! This is very flattering on you. Too bad you had to remake the wheel here.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to steal "Butt Pleat" as my new wrestling nickname, lol. The improvements were subtle, but very real. I like how the midriff band sucks you in at the middle, to show off your hard-earned curve there.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used always to dress my sister and me in dresses with a midriff band. It is still the most flattering silhouette for each of us, as it is for our daughters. Thus, we all have umpteen patterns similar enough to Red Velvet that I won't be buying this one from Steph -- although I've bought another one from her. We need to encourage the young 'uns.(Why does that look so much like "young guns"?)
Fantastic remake! I thought the original was okay, but the 2.0 result is a head-turner. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my thanks for the very detailed instructions of your alterations. I have learned so much from your posts.
Claudia
Fantastic remake! I thought the original was okay, but the 2.0 result is a head-turner. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAlso, my thanks for the very detailed instructions of your alterations. I have learned so much from your posts.
Claudia
This is definitely better. The drapier fabric and eliminating the 'butt' pleat really makes a difference. It's pretty and flattering yet perfect for work. Thanks for all the information on this.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great, and I'm glad you ended up with something you're happy with. Interfacing the midriff is a capital idea: with the combination of heat and wrinkling, it should be a requirement. *That* explains some of the wrinkly midriffs I've seen on the internets.
ReplyDeleteI love that sleeping mask. The Marine must be a hoot. Glad you'll be seeing him soon.
You look very nice. As my mother would say, it's very becoming. :) Enjoy the visit with your son!
ReplyDeleteThis dress looks very flattering on you. All your perseverance with this pattern has really paid off. Thanks for sharing the process with us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on achieving a wearable Red Velvet, it looks great on you! Your post was very informative and shows off the dress clearly.
ReplyDeleteI have found the pattern to be an epic failure and the whole experience left me feeling like an incompetent sewist, so I felt better to know that perhaps the pattern has issues, not me.
I experienced all the issues you have mentioned plus an issue with the arm/sleeve. By the look of your photos, we are around the same size and proportions. Did you alter the arms/sleeves in some way? I cannot see that you mentioned it, but yours look very different to mine. Mine are incredible tight - like blood flow constrictingly tight.
The whole dress has been a waste of fabric and effort, the garment is unwearable.
I have had sleeve issues with the Cabarita top also, but with that one, the sleeves were way too big..
Mango,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your question ... I didn't alter the sleeves at all. My full bicep measures about 14" if that helps.
Cheeky Mango, you may find the flickr red velvet sewcialist pages useful.
ReplyDeleteVery cute dress! The shape and proportions are really flattering. Thank you for the reminder about interfacing midriffs. I often forget, to my detriment.
ReplyDeletesorry to comment on an old post, but i just came across your blog and avidly read your posts about this dress. i had a similarly confounding experience with the tira months ago and haven't been interested in these patterns since. i don't mean to completely write off a pattern company, but i'm just not that enamored with the connect the dots thing. i will say that i did contact steph c (after much encouragement from my own blog commenters) and was less than impressed with the "it's not me, it's you" response i received. anyways, i really appreciate your honest review!
ReplyDeletethat said, this dress looks spectacular on you! i love the fabrics you used, and thanks for sharing the neckline treatment you did. i'll have to try that out!