In my head, this photoshoot looked more 'winter wonderland' and less 'construction site', but anyone who's lived through building work will know how trashed a garden gets. Nevertheless, the novelty of photographing a festive dress during snowfall was far too strong a pull.
I expressed my love for this pattern when I made view C, but sadly I don't think this version will get any wear in its current state. I just don't feel comfortable at all in a figure-hugging skirt. Despite wearing big spanx and tights, I still felt super self-conscious of my bumpy/lumpy hips and I don't see that ever changing.
Also, I'm not so sure that my large bust looks at its best draped in shiny pleats. However, I do like the bodice and could probably overlook this issue if the skirt was to my liking, so I'm quite tempted to order some more fabric for a fuller skirt. Doing so would make this a really pricey dress though!
If you're curious about sizing, I made a 42 and graded the hips up to a 44. The sleeves were a little loose so I increased the seam allowance on those and I also shortened the skirt by 7cm. I then had to unpick some of the side seams to make the slits longer again, so something worth thinking about if you need to take up the skirt.
Working with pleated velvet was no problem at all thanks to my walking foot and a stretch needle. Just like the last time I made this pattern, I added clear elastic to the waistline. I really don't get why the pattern doesn't call for it, but I do know that heavy velvet needs something to stop it from sagging and losing its shape.
If you're wondering where the cute rabbit fits in, it's not every day I make a dress that matches my velvety Birdie bunny! For this happy accident alone, I'm tempted to throw more cash at this dress to make it wearable for me. What do you think? Should I get more fabric and replace the skirt with a fuller shape?
I think it's lovely as is , but if you aren't feeling comfortable in it then you'll never wear it! I say order more fabric and make it a dress you'll love to wear. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful rabbit. They are such gorgeous, loving creatures. I miss mine a lot. I love this dress and think that it looks great on. I wouldn't change the skirt at all. You look fab in it. That is a really nice pattern. Xx
ReplyDeleteI think you look like a knockout in this dress. It looks great on you, and I would love to know that you wore this out to a party and had a good time. I understand how uncomfortable it is to see yourself in something that is not your usual silhouette, but this shape does work for you and makes your hips and bust look sexy and womanly, NOT lumpy and bumpy.
ReplyDeleteI see nice curves, not lumps and bumps! - but I know what you mean as it's not the shape I pick for myself either (I don't like my profile in anything that follows my figure too closely).
ReplyDeleteI think it looks amazing on you. I know how important it is to feel comfortable so I understand why you are thinking to change the skirt, but I honestly think it looks incredible as it is :)
ReplyDeleteDon't hesitate! If you don't feel happy with the shape of the skirt order more fabric. It is equally pricey to buy fabric, and give up precious time, to make a dress you don't feel you will wear. The dress does look lovely but if you are not comfortable don't hesitate to change the skirt.
ReplyDeleteWe all agree it genuinely looks great now, but if you aren't happy then I would get the extra so you love wearing it. Too lovely not to wear
ReplyDeleteReally love it and I think it is incredibly flattering, however you know yourself and if you won't wear it in this silhouette then I would say splash out and get the fabric to make a dress you truly adore. Lovely rabbit!
ReplyDeleteI can understand that you don't feel comfortable in a figure-hugging dress if you are not used to this kind of dress shape but in my opinion, skirt looks very nice on you, you have beautiful curves and a nice waist that look very good in a figure-hugging dress :)
ReplyDeleteYou really don't look lumpy or bumpy at all, you look great. If you aren't comfortable, then as Gillian says, change it, but as an outsider there is no reason at all to do so, it looks really nice as is.
ReplyDeleteI think you look absolutely gorgeous in the dress as is, but it's also important to feel comfortable. Rest assured though, in my eyes you look superb and not at all lumpy and bumpy!
ReplyDeleteThe very first thing I thought when I looked at the picture was, "this pattern camouflages her large bust, overall this is a great pattern for her." It's too bad you feel self conscious in this dress. You look absolutely sophisticated and stylish, not lumpy at all.
ReplyDeleteMarie you have a lovely hour glass figure and the dress is very flattering on you. But as someone else said, if you don't feel comfortable you won't wear it so maybe a further expenditure is warranted.
ReplyDeletethe bunny is so pretty
ReplyDeleteSo I was thinking how good you looked in your dress and misreading the blog clicked through to see what was wrong with your previous version. Realised you were referring to this dress ! So you see I genuinely thought it looked good. You are being too tough / critical of yourself. Wear it proudly - you look fabulous
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same reaction, went to look at your other blog post and realized you weren’t pleased with your latest version instead. Both dresses look lovely on you!
DeleteDitto EVERYTHING Cathy said. You look AMAZING in this dress! Maybe style it with a sparkly necklace to pull focus upward (not that I think you need to pull focus, but maybe doing so will make YOU more comfortable?).
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others in that it looks lovely and you look great in the dress! However if you wanted to change it up a bit I’d recommend using some of the scraps and adding triangular godets to the bottom of the skirt to give it a bit more swingy, flirty flip at the knees. I’m guessing you’d have enough fabric left to make four to six godets. They wouldn’t need to be particularly long - like 6” (not sure what that would be in cms) in finished length. Somwtimes just that extra bit of movement is enough to ease the self consciousness.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely on you. I see no lumps or bumps. But you have to be comfortable.
ReplyDeleteOh pppleeeease wear it just as it is, it's so flattering and gorgeous! Great match of pattern to fabric.
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely stunning in this shape/fit. I'd love for you to hold your head up high and head out in this dress exactly how it is. I know what it's like to feel uncomfortable in an outfit/in your own skin but any lumps and bumps are purely in your mind here. Looking good girl!
ReplyDeleteYou look very sophisticated in your gray velvet dress. I do not see any lumps or bumps in the photos. The dress is fitted well to your figure, it is not too tight, and it is flattering, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI can only echo all the comments above and say that I think it looks lovely on you as it is. I don't see any problems with it at all, but it's definitely too nice to languish in the wardrobe because you don't feel comfortable in it. So if a new skirt is what it needs for you to wear it, then go for it.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was how slimming this style is and how vert attractiventhe dress is, especially suiting your coloring and hair. You look strikingly lovely, I wouldn’t do anything except add some sparkling earrings (I don’t wear necklaces) and a bracelet. Gorgeous,
ReplyDeleteLike others, I went to your other dress thinking it was the one you weren't comfortable in and realized you meant not that stunning one but this gorgeous dress. I don't know - I'm older. In 10 years you might say, what was wrong with me? I looked great! Listen, if you've got it, flaunt it. You are gorgeous, an hour glass figure, and wow, that dress looks beautiful on you. It's not too tight but shows your curves flatteringly. The fabric looks so soft and warm and is a perfect match for your adorable bunny.
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous but if you don't believe it, then....I know that ordering more fabric for a fuller skirt would make it an expensive dress, but not wearing it ever again would also make it expensive. It's such gorgeous and dreaming silvery fabric and I hope you will remake the skirt! Happy New Year to you and yours.
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