26 Apr Carolina Herrera Stretch Silk
I scored big time finding this beautiful Carolina Herrera Leopard Printed Stretch Silk Twill from Mood Fabrics.
I ordered the fabric with a wrap dress in mind, but after the fabric arrived I came across a photograph of the Carolina Herrera original and decided to follow the style of the designer with a close fitting dress.
I reached for a favorite pattern I have made twice before – Vogue 9047. (Version one is here and version two is here.) The pattern is now out of print but still available on the website, Etsy and other online sources.While the ‘original’ dress is a sheath with princess seams in the front, my pattern features a separate bodice top and skirt with a raised waistline which provides easy fitting and shaping opportunities.
The fabric is impeccably thin, lightweight and slightly translucent. The Carolina Herrera dress is fully lined and features a back zipper.
A zipper was unnecessary with this pattern and I’m glad I did not disrupt the design of the fabric.
However, I underlined the dress with a very lightweight tricot lining. Below is a photo of the tricot basted to the bodice pieces (skirt pieces not shown but are underlined as well). The sleeves are not underlined.
What I’m loving about the fabric is the clever placement of the light and dark patterns. The patterns are designed to fall symmetrically around the garment. I chose the same placement as the ‘original’ but assume the darker area could be placed front and center.
The darker pattern is placed on the center of the sleeve for continuity of design around the shoulders and down the sides of the dress.
Because I ordered for a wrap dress I have a little leftover and hope to squeeze a top out of the remaining fabric. While I enjoy being creative with fabrics, I decided Carolina knows best on this one, and there was no reason to reinvent the wheel.
Just another dress? No way! One never forgets her first Carolina Herrera 😉
Many thanks to Mood Fabrics for stocking this phenomenal fabric!
Kerry Walker
Posted at 07:06h, 26 AprilOh what a classy dress and that colour is great on you
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:59h, 26 AprilThank you, Kerry! I truly love this dress 🙂
Barbara Anderson
Posted at 07:18h, 26 AprilBeautiful fabric and fit . You look very elegant and glamorous Sarah . Can’t beat a good animal print fabric!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:00h, 26 AprilMany thanks, Barbara! Leave it Carolina Herrera ….;)
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 07:22h, 26 AprilYou did an amazing job with the fabric placement ! You look good in anything!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:01h, 26 AprilThank you, Becky! We both know it looks good only if it fits 😉
Julia Yunker Miller
Posted at 07:36h, 26 AprilThat is gorgeous and looks fabulous on you!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:01h, 26 AprilThank you so much, Julia!!
Nova
Posted at 07:38h, 26 AprilBeautiful, as always. And I especially appreciate the construction information, as the insides of a garment are most telling regarding achieving the finished result.
Nova
Posted at 07:49h, 26 AprilRereading your post left me with several questions, if I may. Firstly, why did you only underline the bodice? Do you then wear it with a half slip? And why an underlining, rather than a lining? Assuming that the tricot lining is from a synthetic fibre, does that not make the silk warmer to wear? i would be most interested in knowing your thought behind the inside decisions. Thanks! (Also loving the lovely lush green growth outside of your windows; we had another half foot of snow the night before last, so it is great to see signs of spring are in force elsewhere on the continent).
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:03h, 26 AprilNova,
I underlined everything but the sleeves. The text and photo leads one to believe it was just the top. I will clarify.Thank you.
I chose to underline to stabilize the fabric which is very lightweight. I’ve underlined with a lightweight tricot on other occasions and find it to be perfect for lightweight knits 🙂
As far as our weather – Spring comes and goes around here….. and then any day I’ll wake up and find summer has arrived.
Many thanks for your comment!
Cheryl Lemmons
Posted at 08:29h, 26 AprilThis is just gorgeous. Simple pattern + spectacular fabric = fabulous dress. And you look like a million in it!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:03h, 26 AprilHi Cheryl! Many thanks….. simple patterns and spectacular fabrics are always a good combination 😉
Laura Casey
Posted at 08:52h, 26 AprilOH MY, what a stunner of a dress….love when the fabric does all the work…..like you said Carolina knows best…..your research helped ….boy this is a case of “less is more.”…..GREAT MAKE…..off to mood I go, to see what other silk knits they have…..WOW!.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:58h, 27 AprilIf only the fabric could do all the work in every garment 😉 Many thanks for the comment, Laura!
Kathy
Posted at 08:52h, 26 AprilThis is a very lovely pattern indeed. You executed it well.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:58h, 27 AprilThank you so much, Kathy!!
Gail
Posted at 09:12h, 26 AprilThis is gorgeous! You look lovely!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:58h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Gail 🙂 🙂
Sandy
Posted at 09:17h, 26 AprilThis is a great fit and looks great on you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:59h, 27 AprilThank you, Sandy! It fits as long as I don’t gain one ounce 😉
Lisa
Posted at 09:25h, 26 AprilYou are definitely rocking this dress Sarah. I love living vicariously through you and the inspiration to pull out my machine again. Hopefully soon. Please keep your talent and ideas rolling.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:59h, 27 AprilAh….. many thanks, Lisa 🙂 Hopefully you’ll start sewing again soon.
PJ Parsons
Posted at 09:39h, 26 AprilI don’t normally love animal prints, but this looks terrific on you. And I do love that we share the same love of working with high-quality fabrics. I love your blog! Thank-you for the inspiration. ~GG
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:02h, 27 AprilMany thanks, GG 😉 I love the scale of this print in addition to the light and dark patterns. The quality of this fabric is unbeatable !
Joan
Posted at 09:50h, 26 AprilSarah, that fabric and pattern is an absolute knockout on you! When you want to be noticed, but not necessarily wear an open neckline, wear this dress! And much chicer than the Carolina Herrera original photo, too!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:03h, 27 AprilWhat a sweet comment, Joan! I’ll wear this often, but that Carolina Herrera dress is pretty darn chic 😉
Susan konkin
Posted at 10:08h, 26 AprilWow! That is beautiful! You are an amazing sewer!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:38h, 27 AprilThank you, Susan – it’s easy when you have amazing fabric 🙂
GayleMI
Posted at 10:13h, 26 AprilYou look fantastic and it fits your beautiful figure so well. Congratulations on another successful sew!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:39h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Gayle! I’ve found this pattern to feature one of the most flattering silhouettes ever 😉
Lisa F
Posted at 10:17h, 26 AprilHi Sara
The dress looks beautiful on you. In addition to your impeccable sewing skills, your slim body and waist definition leave one with the impression that you are a classy woman. Very nice and good job!!. . .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:41h, 27 AprilHow sweet is this comment, Lisa? Many thanks for the nice compliment! I recently eliminated most sugar from my diet and ended up dropping a few 😉
I blame Paris
Posted at 10:17h, 26 AprilOh, Lord, that is one fabulous dress. Perfection!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:41h, 27 AprilI don’ t know your name but l o v e your screen name! Many thanks for the comment 🙂
Kathy
Posted at 10:19h, 26 AprilDid you need extra fabric to accommodate that placement on the fabric? Thanks.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:43h, 27 AprilKathy,
I did not need extra fabric. This fabric is 57 or 60″ and was very easy to place 😉
MaryEllen
Posted at 11:00h, 26 AprilThis is such a beautiful version of this dress . Your fit is prefect as usual . I like the way you placed the light & dark aspect of the fabric -it really adds to the visual interest !!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:44h, 27 AprilThank you so much, Mary Ellen! I couldn’t go wrong following the lead of Carolina Herrera 😉
Mary Funt
Posted at 11:20h, 26 AprilGreat use of fabric design in the layout. The fit is superb and I agree that this worked better than a wrap.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:44h, 27 AprilThank you so much, Mary!
Gerhild Turner
Posted at 11:31h, 26 AprilI love the fabric and pattern. Great fit.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:45h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Gerhild!!
Bonnie Wheaton
Posted at 11:32h, 26 AprilThe dress is very slimming. It looks great on you. The print is great with your coloring and doesn’t overpower your petite frame. Super job!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:49h, 27 AprilThank you so much, Bonnie! A raised waistline is always flattering, and I agree that the print has the undertones that work with my complexion. It’s such a thrill when a sewing project comes together better than expected 😉
Maria Dimas
Posted at 11:44h, 26 AprilI have one word for this. STUNNING! Excellent job, looks great! 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:50h, 27 AprilThank you, Maria!!
Almeda
Posted at 12:20h, 26 AprilI would say this is a “WINNER”! Just WOW!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:50h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Almeda! I’m loving the dress 🙂
Janet Steinhagen
Posted at 12:37h, 26 AprilBeautiful fabric, pattern and fit. I don’t know if you have ever mentioned it, but do you own a dress form to achieve such a great fit? Thanks.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:51h, 27 AprilThank you, Janet! I have a dress form but it is not a duplicate of my body so I don’t rely on it 100%.
Lee Nyberg
Posted at 14:22h, 26 AprilFabulous dress. I never knew stretch silk could be so stretchy that you would not need a zipper. Is it hard to put on?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:52h, 27 AprilThank you, Lee! The dress is easy to put on. Since I had sewn this pattern twice before I knew a zipper was not necessary 😉
Tomasa
Posted at 15:33h, 26 AprilBeautiful dress! Looks better than the original Carolina Herrera to me!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:53h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Tomasa, although that Carolina Herrera is pretty fantastic!
Maggie ecger
Posted at 16:22h, 26 AprilOMG. What a great dress with endless possibilities! Really like.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:54h, 27 AprilThank you, Maggie!!!
Eileen
Posted at 17:57h, 26 AprilI love this, Sarah! You are so inspiring. I have a similar patterned dress and was wondering what jewelry to wear with it…..you just showed me!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:54h, 27 AprilThank you, Eileen! I tried on several pieces but bold and gold did the trick 😉
Cindy Symes
Posted at 06:46h, 27 AprilWow! Fabulous dress! You can’t even tell from a distance that there are seams below the bodice! Great job on themfabric placement! I was wondering if you hemmed the sleeves and bottom of the dress? I can’t even see anything! And also, how much stretch does this fabric have? I have the same pattern and a stretch silk crepe and you’ve given me the idea to try them together – but I wondered how much stretch you need for no zipper. Thanks! Cindy
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:58h, 27 AprilThank you, Cindy! Yes, I hemmed the sleeves on the machine and hand stitched the lower hem by catch stitching the underlining which results in an invisible hem .
Kathleen Wille
Posted at 07:56h, 27 AprilLove the dress. Super flattering. Another great project for my list. Thanks!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:59h, 27 AprilMany thanks, Kathleen! You’ll love the ease in which this pattern goes together 😉
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 10:05h, 27 AprilLovely dress! You were smart to let the fabric do all the talking!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:00h, 27 AprilThank you, Cissie! I really, really love this fabric 🙂
Cissie Wellons
Posted at 10:05h, 27 AprilLovely dress. You were smart to let the fabric do the talking!
Juls
Posted at 10:43h, 27 AprilYet another fant-abulous creation Sarah! (I’m running out of superlatives to describe your makes…)
Just one question, how did you finish the hem of this dress? I understand your preferred method on finishing knits is with a strip of interfacing, folding, stitching and trimming… but with this one being underlined, did you use another method?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:11h, 27 AprilLOL – many thanks, Juls! I finished the sleeve using the interfaced method, but I hand stitched the hem to the underlining which results in an invisible hem. 😉
Allie Casey
Posted at 11:32h, 27 AprilAnother stunner, Sarah!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:12h, 27 AprilThank you so much, Casey!
Michele
Posted at 09:33h, 30 AprilSTUNNING!! I usually don’t go for animal prints, but this looks beautiful on you.
Margaret Elmendorp
Posted at 23:48h, 06 MayAnother stunning creation. Your ( and CH’s) placement of the darker print towards the outer side front and back creates a beautiful slimming line. Really enjoy reading your blog and am using The Tunic Bible for so many outfits. Thank you, Margaret from Adelaide South Australia
AllisonC
Posted at 21:34h, 08 MayGorgeous dress, the print placement is really flattering.