Dim light and photography don't really mix, but it's what you have to do if you want a picture at a wedding reception with mood lighting. I sewed most of this dress right before leaving for Indiana a few days ago, but I was tacking down facings and stitching the hem up until an hour before the wedding ceremony.

The pattern is Vogue #2960, originally published in 1954, hence the name of my dress. Two people I love were born in that year, so it's a good one.

This is the first time I've ever done bound button-holes. I think I'll need to do a few hundred more before I get the hang of it; they are not for the faint of heart. I think they where a good choice for what would be a formal dress (much neater than machined button holes), but I'm dumbfounded as to why any pattern with such a difficult set of details would be classified by Vogue as "easy". I really makes me scared to try any vintage reprints labeled as 'average'.

Still, I loved wearing this dress and I think the color suits me. I made it out of three yards of silk shangtung that I purchased with this pattern specifically in mind. I don't think I've ever gotten so many compliments on a dress before. Maybe the good wedding vibes prompted everyone to be free with positive comments, but it's nice to get nice feedback on a dress that has to fit in amongst hundreds of really nice store-bought ones.



It feels a little weird to tell people that I make most of my own clothes. It's a little like fishing for compliments when I say that I made something, so I've been keeping my mouth shut most of the time in public. Still, the rumor got out, so I'm not sure if people were saying 'What a pretty dress!' or 'What a pretty dress, you know, for something handmade.'

Whatever. I like it and I'm going to wear it again.

Labels: dress, projects, sewing

posted by Alison 9/20/2009 02:00:00 PM : (2) comments : splink