dress: self-made, based on this lovely number // tights: F21 // shoes: Chelsea Crew
When Dear Creatures’ new Autumn 2013 line came out, I nearly squeed my pants off. You may have witnessed my mad pinning session if you follow me over there. Shocking, I know. Pretty much half of it went on my to-sew list (and the other half went on my presents-to-myself list). First on the to-sew list was the Cecile dress.
When I saw this dress, something sort of nagged at the back of my mind. It seemed familiar maybe? I dug through my pile of patterns and then felt pretty stupid because it was almost identical to Burda 7309, which is one of my go-to patterns. I hadn’t realized it at first because I’d never actually made the skirt before!
I made no alterations to the bodice, but switched out the sleeves for a lengthened version of Burda 7739. For the skirt, I cut and marked most of the pattern as drafted, but added about an extra inch on either side to create darts to line up with the bodice darts. I think the back already had darts so I just cut and sewed those as indicated.
Once everything was more or less put together, I started hand-stitching the trim. I debated how to do it, and tried several things before finding something I liked the effect of. First I tried satin ribbon, but didn’t like how shiny it was. Then I tried the back of the ribbon but I still wasn’t sold on the color. I thought about making bias tape and using that but then decided that making three yards of bias tape didn’t actually sound all that fun. Plus, I couldn’t find the right shade and texture of fabric for it anyway. Finally I meandered over to Sarah’s shop, beaten and broken (hah — just kidding) and she saved the day with some amazingly smooshy ribbon that I can’t for the life of me remember the name of. It’s like grosgrain but made of rayon (I think?) and suuper soft. I may have spent about ten minutes petting it before I actually started sewing it on.
Anyway, yay! I think the dress fabric is mostly wool so it’s super warm and only a tiny bit itchy. I’ve been wearing it with a long tank top underneath and it’s been totally warm and comfy now that it’s suddenly freezing.
What a weird coincidence! Yesterday I went to there web site and was looking at the same dress. I was wandering how I could menage to make a copycat out of it … And I gave up after 10 secondes. Still, I love this dress, you really did make a great job,
It’s perfect!! 🙂
Aww Maude!! If you can make a leather jacket you can totally make this dress easy peasy :]
Oh my goodness, quelle coincidence, I just pinned this exact same dress yesterday as sewing inspiration! LOVE it! Seriously cute.
Hee hee thanks Tilly! You should 100% make your own version so we can be twinsies :]
This is adorable! I love the color combination– it’s really chic!
Thanks! I’m a huge fan too 🙂 I feel like I’ve been sewing a lot of red and blue lately so my eyes definitely appreciated the break.
Very beautiful!! And great photos too. Perfect outfit all round.
This is the most gorgeous handmade dress I’ve seen in a while! It looks really fabulous!
Thank youuu <3
Absolutely gorgeous, as usual, is it petersham ribbon? Reminds me of this: http://www.afashionablestitch.com/2011/shop_talk/petersham-vs-grosgrain/
YES thank you!! I never in a million years would’ve remembered that word.
Such a lovely dress, the touch of deep red trim really makes the dress more striking than it already is! Gotta remember this colour combination, because I love greys a lot. I like making clothes from pictures of clothes that I want to wear too, it’s a sure way of sewing clothes that I would wear to death 🙂 I’m sure this dress will be a fave because you look great in it!
Thanks so much! I definitely see this as a wear-it-to-death dress. It’s just dressy enough without being over the top. :]
Love this dress! The colors, the design, the trim! I may have to copy your copycat 🙂
Dooo it! I’d love to see other people’s versions! It also comes in navy which I’m very tempted to do..
Very beautiful dress, lovely combination of colours and impeccable finish, as usual. It does look very warm and cosy, which is what you need 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I wore it out for photos with no coat and wasn’t even that cold! (Ok, a little.)
The Petersham really did the trick! Nice work, Miss Ping.
Thank youu! I’m such a fan of that stuff. Expect to see it on everything. (No srsly, I was contemplating how to work it onto an Archer collar..)
Great work at the reproduction! I like that you really made an effort to get the right ribbon – i would have just stuck with the satin ribbon cause im lazy like that.
Thanks! Haha I came reeeeeally close to just going with the satin but I couldn’t get over how plasticky it looked 🙁
This is a great make-the-look of your inspiration. Lovely dress.