Christmas/New Year dressy sew along (now to 31st December)

[RuthieSews]

Ruthie, you know you ALWAYS make a little Christmas capsule.  Why not make it official and start a little outfit/capsule sew-along?

Elizabeth

At Elizabeth's suggestion I am starting a separate sew along here for things to wear to Christmas or New Year parties, for Christmas day (or other seasonal events you may be celebrating in December).

I really liked my black dress with gold sparkle in the fabric from last year (though the other pieces did not make the cut), but would like more options (maybe a red dress) this year for my various events which include at least the following - Christmas party (of the meal and disco variety), Christmas Day lunch at a restaurant, my birthday meal and then probably a work lunch and something at New Year. The velvet bolero jacket from the previous year has also been fantastic.


Some of these events I'm attending with my new beau, who normally sees me very casually dressed, so would be nice to make a little more effort ;-)
You may remember the 'Lend me your shoulder' top in red

which is why I want a red dress!

[RuthieSews]

So my current plans are for a red dress, probably even using the same pattern as the black sparkle dress as its really flattering for my modestly busted pear shaped figure.
New Look 6071

[Jacs]

Nice pattern RuthieK - I loved that dress you made last year, maybe I need this pattern???

I have a few dinners and a wedding to go to in the next few months and I have tried out this dress, which I think I must be the last person in the world to make!! DKNY 1250

I first tried it in a heavy plain viscose knit
 

Then in a very colourful polyester which I am considering wearing to the wedding - I just need to make something to wear over it.

[sewsy]

Jacs! You look so Great! Fabulous! I love the shoes, too!

[marciae]

Great idea.  "IF" I ever recover from moving my parents I'd love to start sewing something other than casual, quick and easy clothing.

[Carole]

Ruthie, mostly I'm just pleased to hear you have a new beau!!!!  But I sew dressy dresses all year long, so I will be in this sew along just because I can,  .  Here's my latest, it has holographic sparkles all over. (They don't show up in the photo, but they're there.)  Cross posted from the Style Arc thread.
My next one's going to be in red, also with holographic sequins.

[DebbieY]

What a fabulous idea.

I never wear anything dressy (stay at home mum with 4 boys) and basically live in pants and tops. I only have one dress in my wardrobe and that was bought to wear to my eldest ds's high school graduation. I might join in with the intent of making myself a dress for summer which may or may not be worn for Christmas.

Any suggestions for a suitable pattern for a dress, for someone ...
1. who doesn't usually wear dresses and is in the process of losing weight
2. who doesn't have a lot of time to sew
3. will be wearing it in the heat of summer

[CHERYLANNE]

Oh,  I am so hanging out to make a few 'frocks'  for the festive season. 

 I have a 'Melbourne Cup'  luncheon,   my DS'S   HS graduation dinner,  a few days aways with DH  and lots of Xmas/New Year  partying....


Debbie,  I think is knit is the way to go.   Just look at how fabulous Ruthie  and Jacs look.

[RuthieSews]

I'm not planning on starting my festive sewing until November and will be finishing off my Autumn sewing through October.

In terms of a dress for hot weather, a sleeveless brightly printed cotton with strong vertical patterning has worked well for me. As I lost weight I took the side seams in. Its not been hot enough to get to wear it recently. I made it loose enough to get on over my head without a zip, and quite long with a back split, to get a long line as that's very slimming.

I went through my stash before bed last night and found some dark red jersey which I will wash to get the shrinkage out, but will then use for my dress. Being a little darker than the bright red top I think it's more suitable for a dress.

[DebbieY]

Surprisingly I have gone through my pattern collection and have found some dress patterns, a few for wovens and a few for knits, so I won't have to go buying a pattern. Next stop is the fabric stash to see if I have anything suitable or if I need to go fabric shopping

[Hen]

Great idea! I vowed to start in time this year. I have had this nice hemp/silk satin laying around for years, but each time was too busy. Now I want to sew it up in this pattern by onion.dk



When I go to Europe somewhere in December/January, I will also defend my thesis, for which I need a jacket, and there will be a baptism.

Great to hear you have a new someone to dress up for!

[ejvc]

Hen, I had a dress in that pattern in the 80s (obviously quite long and made in what we'd now consider a very ugly floral print) but I recall the triangular yoke style suited me SO well.  How clever of you to find the pattern!

I have to consider this.  It would be fun to have a new "dress".  And I have a pretty bolero pattern.

PS Congrats on getting to thesis defense stage!

[Lisanne]

We're very casual round here.  'Dressy' would be better quality casuals.  But, encouraged by The Vivienne Files, I've been focussing more on accessories.  So have new big bling jewellery for parties

[JDol]

Well, I feel real pulled to this sew along... I do not go out to social gatherings, but I am the coordinator of our office holiday party each year (I do this because no one else does and I feel like they should have SOME celebration, other than a silly lunch in the kitchen.)  I just love doing it! I always make something creative for everyone so everyone has a gift. What is a celebration if there is no gift?    Anyway I said all that to say that I would LOVE to have a somewhat dressy dress to show off for that celebration day!  Great Idea!

Ruthie - Do you happen to recall the pattern for that Bolero jacket? I absolutely adore it, and have wanted one for years. I would love to make that and a dress to go underneath.

Jacs - Fab dresses! Great look on you! That is an amazing orange/rust/spice color. 

I'll have to sew in-between my winter 6PAC, but I accept the challenge!  I will prevail!  I'll hunt through some patterns to find a dress to go with that bolero.

[Ann]

I won't be taking part but needed to congrat Ruthie on a new beau!!!!

Jac, a lovely dress and it looks fab on you.

Ann

[Susan in Saint John]

What garments make a good Christmas/New Year dressy capsule?

I suppose it depends on what events you may be attending and what you're comfortable wearing.  I am thinking that separates would be most versatile.  But sometimes a dress with changes of accessories can go lots of places too.  This might be an opportunity for me to try out a lagenlook, particularly as I don't expect to have anything too formal to attend oer the holidays.

As a starting point, I might be wise to have a look at my shoe collection;  otherwise, I'm likely to make something and then have to buy new shoes that I'll hardly ever wear.  I am also thinking that I wear dressy clothes most often on a cruise ship so perhaps that would be a more useful theme for me than Christmas/New Year. 

I need to do some more thinking about this before I decide.

[RuthieSews]

Ruthie - Do you happen to recall the pattern for that Bolero jacket? I absolutely adore it, and have wanted one for years. I would love to make that and a dress to go underneath.

JDol, the blog post I wrote about the Bolero at the time is linked to below.
http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/winter-berries-collection-black-velvet.html
The shrug is mainly made from New Look 6535 view C, though I curved the front neckline. The draped sleeve cap is taken from Simplicity 2956 and then morphed back onto the long bell sleeve of New Look 6535.

So as long as you don't want the ruched sleeve cap, I'd just go with New Look 6535.
I used a black stretch velvet and just serged the edges and turned under and stitched, so no facings or anything and it worked OK. I think I got lucky that the fabric worked well.

[Jacs]

Thank you for all your comments.

Carole I love that outfit you have made and it reminds me that I should try that look as well. 

Hen congrats about your thesis and I think your fabric will look beautiful in that pattern.

I went off to Farmers (a department store in NZ) as I thought I would follow Trinny and Susannah's advice and get some shapewear for under the dress.  I struggled, pulled and pushed to get into various brands to look in the mirror and see that they only accentuated the faults rather than cover them up.  So decided that needed the industrial strenght version - Nancy Gantz.  I got it on easily enough and although I feel like grandma's sofa all uphostered up it wasn't bad.  THEN I tried to get it off I had visions of still being stuck in the dressing room with the garment rolled up around the chest like a life preserver! In the end I lay on the floor and rolled it down the body!!! Thank goodness they have very large changing room that are rooms not cubicles   I guess that I just have to accept all my life experiences showing!!!

[RuthieSews]

Heck! I just experimented with styles of dress that was a bit more flattering for my body type, though I admit to a push up bra, and big knickers!!!

[Jacs]

Yes that is a much more comfortable option Ruthie - the dress looks fine without as you can see in the photos - I just thought to get a more smooth look .

[ejvc]

Ruthie -- just ordered your pattern as it is so cute, and I'm on the hunt for good knit dress patterns.  This one looks like it is potentially nursing-friendly.  BUT I just wanted to say -- what a fantastic improvement to the Simplicity New Look UK site!  And the New Look patterns are only £2.95 right now -- bargain!

[BeeBee]

I went off to Farmers (a department store in NZ) as I thought I would follow Trinny and Susannah's advice and get some shapewear for under the dress.  I struggled, pulled and pushed to get into various brands to look in the mirror and see that they only accentuated the faults rather than cover them up.  So decided that needed the industrial strenght version - Nancy Gantz.  I got it on easily enough and although I feel like grandma's sofa all uphostered up it wasn't bad.  THEN I tried to get it off I had visions of still being stuck in the dressing room with the garment rolled up around the chest like a life preserver! In the end I lay on the floor and rolled it down the body!!! Thank goodness they have very large changing room that are rooms not cubicles   I guess that I just have to accept all my life experiences showing!!!

Oh, I'm sorry, Jacs but that had ME rolling on the floor!  I'm sorry you were stuck but...  I once got stuck in a formal gown in a dressing room - it had to pull on/off over my head.  I got it on, it was too small, and got stuck with my hands over my head and couldn't get out.  I actually got very scared - it's hard to breathe with your arms closed over your head and inside a dress.  The sales lady had to crawl under the door and yank me out of the dang thing.    

[JDol]

Thanks Ruthie! and the ruched sleeve caps are the selling point for me, so I will look into both patterns... thanks for the tips.

Jacs!  You have a great sense of humor! I remember one particular "tummy tamer" I tried and everytime i sat down it would curl right up into a roll under my brazier.  Now I have a nice taming bodysuit... Just irons out the 'wrinkles' around the middle ...
 

[sewenticing]

If I can find the time I want to do this. I want to make butterick 5814.  I have a Christmas party to wear it to and we are going on anther cruise in Feb so I could wear it to dinner. I am thinking of something gold and add a bolero jacket or knit a wrap. A jacket would be faster knowing how I knit.

[sewenticing]

Thank you for all your comments.
  THEN I tried to get it off I had visions of still being stuck in the dressing room with the garment rolled up around the chest like a life preserver! In the end I lay on the floor and rolled it down the body!!! Thank goodness they have very large changing room that are rooms not cubicles   I guess that I just have to accept all my life experiences showing!!!

This is so funny and so true to life. I have a body shaper that takes like an hour to get on it goes up to just below my bust but never stays put and always rolls down. Christine Jonson has a body shaper pattern that I am going to try out. Maybe I can make one that fits better.

Sonya

[Carole]

Body shapers...don't get me started.  I've found only one or two that I can stand, and I can't drink anything for fear I might have to go to the ladies' room...
Sewenticing, I love that pattern (Gertie's, I presume) and think it would look smashing in gold.

[RuthieSews]

Thanks Ruthie! and the ruched sleeve caps are the selling point for me, so I will look into both patterns... thanks for the tips.

Oops sorry the link was missing. I've fixed it now but here it is again.
http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/winter-berries-collection-black-velvet.html

The gathered sleeve heads give more width to the shoulders, which is great for pear shaped me as it balances my broader hips a bit. It has no lining and no shoulder pads, and can be folded up in a bag or something with no ill effects. I've had a lot of wear from it.

[JuneBug]

Wow!  Such lovely dresses and jackets.  I have some navy stretch velvet that has been sitting around that would be good for Ruthie's bolero.  I love the Butterick 5814 draping and I agree that dress would look lovely in gold.

I was once stuck in the mammogram machine at the hospital.  The tech lady was a little freaked out.  I was only praying the whole time that they didn't have to call in a male tech .  That would have really added insult to injury.  We did have a good laugh AFTER I was freed from that horrible machine.

[Jacs]

Ooooh I am so glad that others have had experiences with those horrid things - I thought I was the only one as a girlfriend of mine swears by them.  I also have problems with that rolling rolling up the body or down from the bust only to have extra spare tyres around the middle and who needs more!!!

Beebee I was trying to avoid calling the assistant as there were a bunch of husbands sitting in the waiting area and did not want to draw attention to myself - and the assistant had no room to crawl under - maybe over the top??? I wonder if they know that's in the job description???

Junebug I am glad that there was no male nurse to the rescue - I have always felt like I was trapped in those machines but your experience makes me more careful for the next time.

[su-sew]

I would love to finish New Look 6000.  I have lovely green/blue/teal rayon polyester lycra crepe for it.  I have started a muslin and still need to make some more SBA adjustments on it.  I'll be making version E and add the bias collar.

http://sewstyled.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/002-copy.jpg

I don't need it for family Christmas gatherings as they are usually quite casual, but it might be needed for a Christmas party at work.  Last year, the management staff went to a fancy luncheon and everyone was quite dressed up for it, even though it was held at my workplace.  My hospital merged with a much larger one a few months ago and time will tell what traditions stay and which one don't.

[RuthieSews]

Oh very classy!

I'm going to put some dark red jersey through the laundry ready for sewing up when the urge strikes me.
Christmas Day I'm going out for dinner with a group now, so will definitely need to make more of an effort than if I just was doing something at someone's house. However I still want to be me, and quite comfortable.

[ejvc]

It's clear that I have to make a Christmas dress for Charlotte (and probably for her doll too).  I bought some sparkly fabric and I have a bit of white fake fur so I think that will do for her.

We'll see whether I'm inspired for me or not!  I have a black taffeta tunic that is sort of festive that I drag out from time to time.

[medea]

Su-Sew, I really like your dress from New Look 6000.

[medea]

Maybe I join this sew along, yes I do. I like to dress up a little when it's christmas even if everybody else dress casual.
I think there will be two or maybe three events for me when I can have need for nice clothes. I will take a look in my stash and think of what it can be.

[Ruth F]

Gosh Ruthie, you really do suit red. 

I like the idea of of dressy sew along (not that I have the invites piled on the mantlepiece just yet) but I've been making so much for everyday wear that it'll be nice to bling it up a little. But here's the real reason; I've just finished a Donna Karan blouse from V1324 and while I made it in gold poly satin I actually intended it for day wear. Now that it's finished, the blouse is rather glam. So now I need something to coordinate. Suggestions?

Ruth
http://sewruth.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/my-new-bff-dk.html