Wearing it for the debut concert of the season.
My daughter needed a long black dress for the university symphony. This beauty was constructed of heavy corded scalloped lace with eyelash trim, interlined with black silk organza and underlined with silk crepe de chine, all from Gorgeous Fabrics. The bodice lining is silk crepe de chine. The skirt is taffeta.
The design is Vogue 8997, with a few tweaks: a deeper front and back neckline, a lower hemline, and sleeve gussets, which allow full range of motion for playing the violin. The corded lace was heavy, so I joined the seams by appliqué. The lace is hand-stitched to the underlining, which was both time consuming and enjoyable. The zipper was sewn by hand, and stabilized with silk organza selvedges. The selvedges were also used around the front and back neckline and shoulder seams. The two-piece sleeves are underlined in black silk organza, with seams disguised with skin-toned silk organza bias strips.
This dress will get much wear, as my daughter has three or more concerts every year. I also “borrowed” it for a night out with my husband. The flaired taffeta skirt and gorgeous lace made me feel like the belle of the ball.
A beautiful, elegant dress perfect for the occasion.
I can see all the mother-love and pride you put into this gown. So important to build in all the features, such as the gussets, that make it functional for performances! I enjoyed the details about using coffee-dyed bias to cover the lace arm seams. And I think your "problem" with not being able to get your first choice for skirt lining actually worked out in your daughter's favor -- so much nicer to sit on cotton when you're under the lights! Love the changes you mnade to the Vogue pattern. Looks great on both of you!
A beautiful, elegant, timeless dress. Placement of pattern on lace takes patience and expert sewing techniques. Congratulations.
Thank you for the kind comments!
Lovely gown! All of the finalists were gorgeous. Thank you for your kind comments about my tutu.