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Thursday, June 9, 2016

A rose by any other name . . .


It has been a long journey . . . but my first self-drafted dress is complete, and I have the pictures to prove it!


I am pretty darn proud of this one!  It feels completely mine (with a bit of inspiration from Mr. Dior, of course).


I was even able to design and print the fabric with the help of My Fabric Designs.


finally put my dress form to good use and draped the bodice and skirt, made myself a corselette from cotton bobbinet, and put together the largest petticoat I have ever made!  I also managed to make a little hat to top off the look at the very last minute.  


That petticoat is so fluffy, in fact, that I just managed to fit in my car!


And while the dress might not be very practical in a lot of situations, I love it just the same.


I had quite a few lovely comments the day I wore this dress.


In fact, one gentleman called out "1956" as he was walking by.  Incredibly enough, this is the very year that the Rose de France dress was designed.  I guess I got it right!


Thankfully, the weather played nice, and outerwear was not needed.  But come to think of it, a coat with an oversized shawl collar, three-quarter sleeves, and a whole lot of fabric with this print used as a lining might have to happen at some point!


And that, ladies and gentlemen, is my dress!



Dress & Sash:  Made by me, self drafted
Petticoat:  Made by me
Corselette:  Made by me, Simplicity 1183
Hat:  Made by me
Necklace:  Grandmother’s, borrowed from Mom
Shoes:  Blue by Betsy Johnson "Stela"


[Disclosure:  My Fabric Designs provided me with a coupon code which was used to purchase a portion of this fabric, but the opinions posted here are my own.]

55 comments:

  1. Wow! What a brilliant result!

    I've really enjoyed watching the process of this coming together. Yes - definitely a coat!

    Congratulations!

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  2. Absolutely STUNNING! A truly beautiful dress, you are an inspiration!
    xo

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  3. OMG! This is an incredible dress! And to think it is your FIRST self-drafted dress . . . I bow down to you! You look absolutely beautiful and you should be so very proud of yourself. I've loved seeing how you went through the process of drafting and draping. And I agree with The Crafty Pinup, you are quite inspirational! x

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  4. It's yours from beginning to end! What a wonderful creation! Chapeau!

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  5. Exquisitely done. A beautiful dress and a beautiful and talented young lady.

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  6. A lot of work and time was put into your masterpiece. Beautiful!

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  7. love that catcall! love that coat idea! FALLING INTO A FAINT IN LOVE OVER THIS DRESS! marvelous. you've inspired me to abandon my (silly) idea to make an everyday wearable birthday dress-- i'm now going for a Dior inspiration of my own :))

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  8. It's magical! And supremely lovely! What a wonderful accomplishment--and I have really enjoyed watching it happen.

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  9. Aaaaaammmmmmzzzzzziiiiinnnnnnggggg!

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  10. Exquisite! !
    Can't believe this is self drafted!!
    I hope you are deservedly proud!!

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  11. Exquisite! !
    Can't believe this is self drafted!!
    I hope you are deservedly proud!!

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  12. Absolutely stunning!! You should be deservedly very proud of yourself for this amazing creation. It is impeccable!! Cheers, Michele

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  13. So so so beautiful!! I am beyond impressed. Congratulations!!!! Where did you wear it?

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  14. Nevermind! I went back to the inspiration post to re-read.

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  15. This is absolute perfection and everything I think a dress should be --the sweep of the hem, the cut of the shoulder line, the swish-swish-swish of the petticoat are just loveliness personified. Truly this is wonderful drafting. And the fabric! Oh yes pretty lady you are entitled to bow as we are all applauding you. Thank you for sharing the work and inspiration.

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  16. that is so gorgeous - what an accomplishment. the fit is perfection. and your should are great too!

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  17. Wow - you look stunning as does your dress. What a labor of love and the fit is perfect. :D Cheers lady!!!

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  18. Now THAT is a dress. Of course, I would have liked a little more tulle, but that's me. ;)

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  19. You've never looked lovelier, or happier.

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  20. You did an amazing job on this. Well done!

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  21. Truly awesome, jawdroping,truly haute-couture.

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  22. Truly awesome, jawdroping,truly haute-couture.

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  23. LOVE! You really built up my anticipation for this one and it did not disappoint! Hope to see it in person!

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  24. what a stunner! every stitch of work you put into it (andand that was a considerable amount!) was worth it!

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  25. what a stunner! every stitch of work you put into it (andand that was a considerable amount!) was worth it!

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  26. This is a superb looking dress, what an accomplishment! The hat is lovely too, all looks so beautiful together. You look stunning!

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  27. How dreamlike! At the very least you should have had a golden coach to take you to the big event. Mind blowing as usual. And.....are there golden hearts on the soles of your shoes?

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  28. You look like a model from the '50s in a couture dress! Very wonderful job you did, Laura Mae!

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  29. Wow, fantastic! What a wonderful achievement!

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  30. You can be very proud of this dress. I hope you have many happy occasions to wear this exquisite couture dress because it is eye candy for all to enjoy.

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  31. It is completely and utterly your invention, as far as I can see.
    Brava, diva, brava!

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  32. Phenomenal! It was so much fun following your journey and the results are perfect.

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  33. That is really special, and I would definitely have though it was a genuine Dior.

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  34. The finished bespoke dress, as always with your show stoppers, looks fabulous on you. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist a little extra to finish the look off, which of course the hat does perfectly. I loved the thought of you and the petticoat squeezed behind the steering wheel!

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  35. One word: BREATHTAKING!!!! The dress is beyond amazing, the pictures look like a fashion pictorial from the 50's, and you look exquisitely beautiful! Your drafting & sewing skills are an inspiration. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS AMAZING PROJECT.

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  36. Truly SPELLBINDING!!!! You are a very talented young lady indeed. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with this dress.

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  37. Wonderful result, worthwhile all the sewing and effort you put into it. Real haute couture!

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  38. Amazing dress, it's just beautiful

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  39. Love this dress. It is gorgeous!! Enjoyed this pictures very much!!

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  40. Wow, this is amazing!!! Stunning dress and fabric x

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  41. Wow! This is just gorgeous! Beautiful printed fabric, glorious fit and silhouette and I just love all of the delicate details!

    Gemma
    Faded Windmills

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  42. Wow this is stunning! I love it al the fabric, the silhouette and the amazing finish. Thank you for showing the entire proces. It is truly an inspiration to push myself in my own creations.

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  43. I know you were the Belle of the Ball in this knockout dress! Congratulations on your magnificent accomplishment :)

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  44. Oh my! This is absolutely beautiful, looks totally authentic! You must feel so accomplished!

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  45. Absolutely beautiful! You should be proud of this one!

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