Should I or shouldn't I?

As if writing a thesis wasn't enough work, we decided to add some more fuel to the fire and get married this September. Our plan when we got engaged a few years ago was to wait until I finished and then get married, figuring that we would still be living together with plenty of time to plan a wedding. Then, a few months ago, I accepted a job in another state. The job almost seemed too good to be true and we both agreed that it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up and that no matter what this would be a good step in the right direction. So, that means I'm moving this October. Which also means, time to put the party planning on speed x 16.

Now, we've decided we want something small and casual surrounded by family and friends. Since I know the general vibe and I'm pretty quick about making decisions the planning has not been too bad. Until, I got to the dress. And that's where I need your help.


I found this dress on gilt.com





and I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOOOOOVE it.

It's by a small (I think) brand Morgane Le Fay. I went to the store but unfortunately it must be last season because they didn't have it in stock. So, I tried on the closest thing.



I like this one a lot too, but I don't love it. There are some other problems, mainly that it is WAY WAY WAY out of my price range (like 2k out). So, I was all set to walk out of the dressing room to resume the hunt when I decided to check out the construction. It actually looks very simple. The bodice has no boning and is mainly held up by the straps. The skirt part has an outer layer of organza and an inner layer of what looks like charmeuse and then the volume is made by tacking 6 strategic areas. Now, I can't believe I'm about to ask this...breathe.... but, should I try and make it myself or shouldn't I?

Graduation

It feels like just yesterday that I reminded myself of how much I really like sew-blogging. And yet, almost a month has gone by without so much as a peep out of me. Well, peep, peep, PEEP.

Although the blogging mojo seems to have temporarily disappeared, again, I have been sewing. I bought some lovely fabric from Elliott Berman during their Memorial Day sale and when I got it I knew immediately what I wanted to do with it. You see, last weekend, I had a graduation to attend, mine. Not quite as big a deal as it was from undergrad since I still do have to finish this little thing called a thesis, but it still feels like a major accomplishment. Graduation was on Saturday and I received the fabric on Wednesday. I told B that I was going to sew it up in one day and his reply was, "Are you sure? Doesn't it take you a year to finish something?" Ha, I showed him by finishing this baby up in two days!



The pattern is Burda 05-2009 #117. I cut a size 38 on top and graded to a size 40 in the hips. I know some found that the dress ran small but for me it seemed pretty true to size. I shortened the length significantly and removed the side slits because I ran out of time. The fabric was a bit thin so I used a black rayon from a free Fabric Mart bundle as an underlining. This allowed me to omit the facings (that I really dislike).

(Front View)


(Back View)


(Side View) *I've noticed that lots of dresses have this problem where the upper back extends away from my body. I'm pretty sure this is a fitting issue I need to work out.


(Gusset View) The first time I tried this gusset out in muslin it turned out a total mess. The trickiest part of the dress is the underarm gusset but I followed the directions from The Art of Manipulating Fabric and the results turned out great. After, while searching for links for this post I found another great tutorial that looks very similar to the steps I used here.



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