14 Feb What I Did For Love
My sewing goal for this post was to make two pairs of Style Arc’s Elle Pants from fabric I bought over a year ago inspired by Robin of A Little Sewing. The fabrics are a hi-tech matte hybrid in chocolate-brown and red. I made the pants in black last year, blogged here.
For some reason I asked my husband’s opinion about making the pants……….
“Make a dress out of the red fabric, like the one you had at the beach,”
Hubby was referring to his favorite dress pattern. Of all the dresses I’ve made this is his favorite.
“But Cissie, one of the RTW Fasters has already made this dress in red,” I replied.
“Does that matter? Does Cissie live here? “
“She lives a few hundred miles away, but it doesn’t matter. We sew to have one of a kind clothing and I don’t want to copy her.”
I quickly realized our conversation was headed in the Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus direction.
__________________________
Well, tonight, my husband is stepping w a y out of his comfort zone to help an organization dear to my heart. He is guest conducting the symphony for fundraising purposes after a three-day crash course in reading music and conducting.
Need I say more? Cissie, I ask for your forgiveness!
If hubby was willing to get out of his comfort zone then I needed to get out of mine, so I cut the dress out two sizes smaller than last time to give it the close fit as described on the pattern envelope.
I quit wear tight-fitting clothes years ago, (don’t want to embarrass the children you know) but I discovered with this dress there is a difference between close fitting and tight fitting. My new dress is very comfortable even if it doesn’t look it 🙂
The ruching in the dress creates quite the silhouette which went unnoticed in the floral version I made in December.
And the pattern is one of the easiest dress patterns I have ever sewn. With the exception of the center back, all of the seams were sewn on the serger, making for a speedy process!
I may not wear this dress as much as the red pants I dreamt of sewing, but I’ve got a festive dress for holidays, a new style to further consider and a Happy Husband who’s going out on a limb for the greater good tonight!
I think Cissie will understand 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
Cennetta
Posted at 12:29h, 14 FebruaryYou look fabulous! I made the very same dress about a month, but have yet to post it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:56h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Cennetta! I can’t wait to see your version. I can’t believe I haven’t been following your blog but that all changed moments ago – I LOVE your sewing!
Joyce Love
Posted at 12:30h, 14 FebruaryBe-you-ti-ful!! And I’m sure Cissie won’t mind (love Cissie’s version too, by the way). I’ve been watching for a sale on Vogue patterns so I can get this! Happy Valentine’s Day & have a wonderful time at the symphony!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:58h, 15 FebruaryThank you so much, Joyce! Cissie has been super gracious to me 🙂 You must get this pattern – very easy and flattering, definitely a winner.
ewellons
Posted at 12:38h, 14 FebruaryAs if I had never copied you, Sarah!!! In fact, I never would have noticed this pattern had it not been for you! Also, my dress is not red — it is persimmon. But for tonight’s dinner party, I’m calling it red!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:01h, 15 FebruaryYou’re very gracious, Cissie! Bet you got lots of compliments last night 🙂
Donna
Posted at 12:43h, 14 FebruaryBeautiful! Isn’t love grand!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:01h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Donna and yes, indeed! 🙂
Kacie
Posted at 12:48h, 14 FebruaryWow – you look amazing! What a beautiful dress! And how sweet of your husband to set his comfort aside and help an organization that means so much to you. This is a beautiful example of how Valentine’s Day should be celebrated 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:02h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Kacie for this very nice comment! Hubby was fabulous, btw 🙂 !
Angela
Posted at 13:00h, 14 FebruaryYou really do look wonderful in that dress – I might just have to take a try at it….
Love your blog!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:03h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Angela and you must try this pattern!
Teri
Posted at 13:02h, 14 FebruaryFantastic! What a lovely LRD:) Have fun tonight!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:03h, 15 FebruaryThanks so much, Teri and it was a great evening!
Karen
Posted at 13:11h, 14 FebruaryYour husband gave you fabulous advice – I’m glad you took it!! I’ll bet he is, too, even with his extra fundraising duties! You wear red really well – and it would have been a shame not to have that color framing your face (as would be the case obviously with pants…). What a great addition to your wardrobe.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:06h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Karen! He loves the dress and I do too, but I wish I had more fabric to make those pants now!
Katie
Posted at 13:11h, 14 FebruaryI love it! Make me one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:06h, 15 FebruaryThanks Katie!! I’d love to make you one 🙂
girlguydogcat
Posted at 13:16h, 14 FebruaryGorgeous! Have a great time at your event!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:08h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks! Hubby was super last night and the event was tons of fun 🙂
Sarah Ioannides
Posted at 13:27h, 14 FebruarySarah, You LOOK GREAT! I do hope you wear this tonight. Billy will be so excited and his tempi will be right on the mark, like Kleiber. Perhaps you need to sit in the orchestra and smile at him as a little surprise? 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:10h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Sarah! What a fun evening last night – concert was super duper 🙂
365 Creative Dresses
Posted at 13:47h, 14 FebruaryThat is, my dear, a power dress. You can conquer the world in that dress! Absolutely, drop-dead, gorgeous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:20h, 15 FebruaryThank you so much! I never thought of it as such , but wearing it does bring about a certain type of confidence and drive not found in my florals and ruffles 🙂
Cynthia
Posted at 14:03h, 14 FebruaryYou look fantastic in your red dress….. sometimes husbands do know best.
Cynthia in UK
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:22h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Cynthia! Yes, that’s true – s o m e t i m e s 🙂
Ann-Britt Uhrbom
Posted at 14:19h, 14 FebruaryAll men like red dresses. My father did it, my husband does it and I agree to them that there is something special about red dresses. You look great in it!
Happy Valentine´s Day to you too.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:23h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Ann-Britt! I know I’ll love having the dress in my wardrobe 🙂
Susie Homemaker, MD
Posted at 14:21h, 14 FebruaryGorgeous dress and it fits you beautifully! No wonder your husband requested it 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:26h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Susie Homemaker, MD! The words close-fitting have scare me which the pattern helped me overcome 🙂 Hubby loves the finished product!
carolinascallin
Posted at 14:27h, 14 FebruaryIt’s perfect! Love it in red on you! You’re right – it really shows the details of the dress 🙂 Hope your event is a roaring success – DH is going to make a terrific conductor!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:28h, 15 FebruaryCheryl – Thank you! I was all set to make a tie and cumberbund – got to Jo-Ann’s only to discover the store did not carry the notions I needed…….. what a disappointment, but what a great idea you had!
LLADYBIRD
Posted at 14:28h, 14 FebruaryCopying is a-ok in my book, as long as you admit that it’s a copy and cite the source 🙂 In that case, it’s really a sincere form of flattery (or, at least, I hope so – because I copy other sewist’s garments all the time, ha!). And why wouldn’t you copy that?! It’s an amazing dress, looks amazing on you – everyone should have one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:30h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, LLADYBIRD! I totally agree – everyone should have this pattern. Hope you had a good Valentine’s Day 🙂 🙂
ohtosew
Posted at 14:58h, 14 FebruaryBeautiful! You look just great in it. Interesting to read the adjustments you made this time around – they certainly worked for you! Have fun!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:46h, 15 FebruaryThank you so much! Since I started sewing clothes again, I have gone overboard to avoid making clothes that were too small – knits are a different story I suppose in that I never know how they are going to fit! 🙂
laurahoj
Posted at 15:02h, 14 FebruaryIt looks lovely, and I’m sure your husband must have been feeling like the luckiest man on earth!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:46h, 15 FebruaryWhat a sweet comment, Laura! Many thanks 🙂
Becky
Posted at 15:04h, 14 FebruaryOf course that is his favorite dress! It shows your lovely figure more than the others. Men are so predictable. But, he is right, it is lovely on you. Hope your hubby has fun conducting.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:47h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Becky! He had great fun after getting over a little performance anxiety 🙂
Michelle
Posted at 15:11h, 14 FebruaryIt’s stunning in red. I think I’ll need to add this pattern to my collection!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:48h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Michelle! You must add the pattern to your collection !
Mollie
Posted at 15:17h, 14 FebruarySmashing success!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:48h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Mollie!
Claudia
Posted at 15:20h, 14 FebruaryYou look absolute georgous, this colour is made for you!
By the way, these days I read in a german newspaper an article about Valentino and his love to the colour red at the beginning of his career and as I saw you in that beautiful dress …yes, Valentino came to my mind again – see also here, if you like:
http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/11/29/david-downton-valentino-illustrations
I like your sewing, the style of your garments so much,
best regards, Claudia
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:50h, 15 FebruaryThank you for this link, Claudia and the nice comment! Valentino takes red to a whole different level, huh? …… and I agree….. Valentino invented red!!
Jane W.
Posted at 15:25h, 14 FebruaryThat looks spectacular on you! Have fun.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:51h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Jane! It was lots of fun 🙂
lloubb
Posted at 15:48h, 14 Februarythis is fantastic!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:51h, 15 FebruaryThank you so much!
Karin
Posted at 15:48h, 14 FebruaryIt’s a knock out dress and you look stunning it. It doesn’t look tight at all. It’s both dramatic and elegant at the same time.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:52h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Karin! What I love about the pattern/dress is that it is close but not tight 🙂
Becky
Posted at 15:52h, 14 FebruaryThat’s gorgeous – love the pattern and it came out great. So flattering.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:53h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Becky! I’m always relieved and thrilled when a pattern turns out better than I expected 🙂
Tiffany
Posted at 15:53h, 14 FebruaryVery beautiful! I think close-fitting is just fine (this dress is full of class), and it looks great on you. The red close to your face gives you great colour, I think.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:54h, 15 FebruaryHi Tiffany! I discovered a distinct difference between close and tight in this sewing experience! Many thanks for the nice comment 🙂
Joen
Posted at 15:55h, 14 FebruaryLooks great! The style is very flattering. I’m sure Cissie will understand, especially if she has a hubby too. LOL
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:55h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Joen! Cissie was very gracious – as always 🙂
CherryPix
Posted at 17:22h, 14 FebruaryIf you wear that dress to the event, you’ll have to forgive your DH if he misses a (heart) beat…
You look spectacular!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:56h, 15 FebruaryLOL! Hubby was super on the podium last night 🙂
jillybe
Posted at 17:35h, 14 FebruaryI daresay hubby was right on this one 😉 It’s a win-win-win! Hope his conducting debut is as much of a success as the dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:57h, 15 FebruaryHi Jilly! Hubby was quite successful last night and the dress worked out well too 🙂
Lori
Posted at 17:55h, 14 FebruaryYour dress is gorgeous, your hubby made a good call. Tell him good luck and enjoy your evening.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:57h, 15 FebruaryMany thanks, Lori! It was a great evening 🙂
Sharon
Posted at 17:56h, 14 FebruaryFantastic dress and can see why hubby loves the style.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:59h, 15 FebruaryThank you, Sharon!
Cathy F.
Posted at 18:38h, 14 FebruaryYou look fantastic in this! I’ve been lurking for sometime but I made this dress based on your original post and love it. I will make the front neck line a little lower next time. Cheers!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:42h, 16 FebruaryThank you Cathy! I”m glad the pattern worked out for you and would love to see your version!
Carolyn
Posted at 19:09h, 14 FebruaryYou look amazing in this dress and I’m sure that Cissie doesn’t care that you copied her! I sure wouldn’t. What a nice gift for your husband…I’m sure he appreciates it.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:44h, 16 FebruaryThank you, Carolyn! Cissie has been gracious as I knew she would be. Hubby does love the dress making the effort worthwhile 🙂
Cheryl
Posted at 19:28h, 14 FebruaryYou are a stunningly beautiful woman, and would look magnificent in a gunny sack. (I’m aging myself, there.)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:46h, 16 FebruaryThank you for the very nice comment, Cheryl …….. amazing what hot rollers, lots of makeup and Spanx can do for my appearance 🙂
twotoast
Posted at 22:07h, 14 FebruaryFabulous dress – you look gorgeous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:49h, 16 FebruaryThank you, Lorraine!
gingermakes
Posted at 22:49h, 14 FebruaryYou look great! It’s so beautiful! I love the red– you guys can be long-distance twins! And way to go, hubs! I’m so impressed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:50h, 16 FebruaryThank you!…… way to go hubs indeed – he did a fabulous job!
Gail
Posted at 06:58h, 15 FebruaryI can see why your husband likes this style. You look fabulous, so let him have his say at least some of the time.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:51h, 16 FebruaryThank you, Gail!….. Hubby gets his way lots and lots of times…… so do I when I stop and think about it 🙂
sewellen
Posted at 07:07h, 15 FebruaryI’m willing to bet that you got a TON of compliments and second glances when you wore this out…you did wear this didn’t you? It might be out of your comfort zone (which I totally get), but you look absolutely gorgeous!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:55h, 16 FebruaryI did wear the dress and it was well received, but Thursday night was all about hubby 🙂 Many thanks for writing such a nice comment!
Calico Stretch
Posted at 19:27h, 15 FebruaryCool you tried something outside your comfort zone too and it really worked, as commented above by everyone. Fab. How was his conducting experience?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:56h, 16 FebruaryMany thanks, Calico Stretch! Hubby was wonderful on the podium – a huge success! 🙂 🙂
ZoSews
Posted at 03:09h, 16 FebruaryYou rock this close fitting dress 🙂 And wow, guest conducting – amazing hubby!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:58h, 16 FebruaryThank you, ZoSews! The orchestra was v e r y accommodating and the evening was a huge success.
Now a question for you…….. do you sponsor Me Made May? If so I’m in this year 🙂
sewruth
Posted at 03:51h, 16 FebruaryIs there a colour that you can’t wear? You look great in everything.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 08:59h, 16 FebruaryMany thanks, Ruth! There are lots of colors I can’t wear. I look like I’m coming down with something when I wear olive for sure.
Myra
Posted at 06:27h, 16 FebruaryYou did a great job on this dress too, it’s beautiful! What a nice hubby you have, getting involved in your creations like this! I have to shamelessly admit that I attempted this pattern a few months ago and it ended up a huge wadder! I made it using a cream colored Ponte deRoma knit and the look was just horrible on me! It was not even worth posting the mess! Especially with the beautiful versions out there like this one! Great work!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:00h, 16 FebruaryI can’t imagine you looking bad in this pattern, Myra, but if you didn’t like it then it’s not worth sewing. Many thanks for your nice comment!
lbrundage
Posted at 09:34h, 16 FebruaryGorgeous Red Dress!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:07h, 17 FebruaryThank you so much! 🙂
Maggie Edger
Posted at 12:01h, 16 FebruarySarah, you look great. You are getting beter and better. A. Maggie
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:08h, 17 FebruaryThank you, Maggie! I think the key is a simple well constructed pattern 🙂
Elizabeth
Posted at 12:15h, 16 FebruaryThe dress looks great. I think Anne of Gorgeous Fabrics just made this dress too. How did your husband’s conducting go?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:11h, 17 FebruaryThank you, Elizabeth! I’ll check out Anne’s dress.
His conducting went fabulously! (Strauss polka) After watching a you tube video 1,000 times, the music and moves were memorized. The MD gave him great coaching tips and the orchestra was very supportive. He was a hit with the audience. Many thanks for asking 🙂
crystalpleats
Posted at 18:42h, 16 FebruaryThe dress looks great and fits perfectly. Very flattering. And what woman doesn’t want to look appealing for her husband!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:12h, 17 FebruaryYou are so right – he loved the dress! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Toni
Posted at 19:07h, 16 FebruaryGreat job! You look fabulous! Very good fit and it is a really good red for you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:14h, 17 FebruaryMany thanks, Toni! Not all reds are equal are they? Some make me look like I’m coming down with something, but I agree with you that this is a good red 🙂
AllisonC
Posted at 20:46h, 16 FebruaryGorgeous dress, you do look great in it and the lovely gathered details show up even better in a solid.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:15h, 17 FebruaryThank you, Allison! The rucking was very subtle in the floral for sure, but there was nothing subtle about this dress 🙂
Vogue 8790 – A Double Hit! | Return To Sewing
Posted at 17:36h, 19 February[…] should have cut these down a size. I’m always afraid of going too small, but I read a recent blog post by Goodbye Valentino on her recent experience with a knit dress – I think it’s time to revisit sizing with […]
Robin
Posted at 21:20h, 11 MarchIt looks great! How do you like that fabric? It is really unusual, isn’t it. The red looks gorgeous on you.