10 Years

Pattern: Vogue Pattern's Bellville Sassoon Misses' Dress #1162
Fabric: 2 yds ponte
Cost: $50

It's the year of tens. Ten years since I graduated from high school, ten years of living on my own, ten years of dealing with a stupid knee injury, and even last week my bank wished me a happy ten year anniversary. This also meant that it was time for my ten year high school reunion.

High school reunions get a lot of hype in the movies and can cause a lot of anxiety. Part of you feels like you have to present your best self, be super accomplished, and not have gained a pound. Part of you is not sure what it will be like to see the same group of people you spent years of schooling with and haven't seen since. In reality, my ten year reunion was pretty chill. Armed with one of my best friends and our partners, we mingled, enjoyed the open bar, and caught up on old gossip at a local burger joint. I realized it didn't matter as much if my classmates were PhD students or expecting their third child, everyone was just living their lives and doing their things.

Prior to the event, however, I did spend some time stressing out over what to wear. Santa Cruz County, where I group up, is very laid back fashion-wise but I still wanted to look good and fit in (kinda like high school, no?). I like my figure, but was also a little self-conscious about some extra padding I developed this summer thanks to working too much and not exercising. I decided to just go for it and make my favorite style of slim-fitting dress, but with a few tucks in the front so it was less clingy. 

The fabric was also a big decision. After waiting to go to my favorite local fabric store, I was disappointed to not find something that sparked my interest (for the dress, but I did buy some fabulous material for pants!). I then found the perfect fabric online for very cheap, but after I ordered it I realized it wouldn't come until hours before the event. I ended up at another great local fabric store, Piedmont Fabrics, and after much deliberation bought two yards of this fuchsia ponte. I don't often wear this color, but it is a jewel tone and made me feel special. Mr. Made says I'm making up for the rest of the time when I don't dress as much like a lady. 


My friend of course then shows up in jeans and a tank top (cue minor internal crisis), but it ended up being the perfect thing for the event. Paired with strappy black flip flops, I felt laid back, comfy, and like myself. And that booty though. 

In terms of construction, this dress was a bit of an experiment. It's drafted from Vogue 1162, which has great pleats across the front, used before in this dress. However, the pattern is for wovens, so it's graded down a bit for knits. Then, I grafted on a t-shirt style for the top, and split the back in two to make an easy swayback adjustment. The swayback could probably use some work, but it got most of the way there. Luckily, I cut out just the front first and discovered it was going to be too small, so the back is cut wider to accommodate. Fit-wise it's not the best - this adjustment means the side seam is very curvy, and the shoulder seam also is too far to the back. For this purpose, however, it looks good on and no one is going to notice these little things like a sewer would, so I'm calling it a win. 

This dress will be handy to have on hand for other moderately dressed up occasions, and could probably even work for work party with a blazer and heels. And now that my other fabric has come in the mail, I have a new dress to make for the fall wedding season, too!

So here's to another ten years of semi-adulting, trying new things, and sewing! Lots of sewing! 

14 comments:

  1. Adulting is for the birds! :)

    Very pretty dress. And I can assure that no one saw the "flaws" you pointed out. I didn't and had to go back to see what you meant.

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  2. Beautiful. And Piedmont Fabrics is the best. I wish I could buy something there every day!

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  3. This is just stunning Meg! I love the pleats on the front and that colour is gorgeous!!

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  4. Your dress looks gorgeous on you! I love how you have created a T-shirt style top, dressing down an otherwise formal style!

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  5. Thanks ladies! I was actually starting to feel a bit insecure about this one, but the bright color and a favorite shape for me make it work!

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  6. Oh, it's fantastic! I think this dress is incredibly flattering. I like how you've 'toned down' this pattern from the envelope art. I wouldn't have even considered that pattern before seeing your version. You chose well with the fabric color too, it looks lovely on you.

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    1. Believe it or not I did make it up when it first came out about ~6 years ago with the big rose shoulders. Ha! An interesting experiment for a new sewer and a lot of hand sewing.
      http://www.madebymeg.us/2010/03/vogue-dress.html

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  7. Fab dress! I bet you wowed them at the reunion.

    My 10 year reunion is coming up next year, and I'm dreading it. Luckily I already know what most of my schoolmates are doing - thank god for Facebook and small town gossip!

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    1. You can do it! I found most people are much less judgy than you think them to be, and just happy to see each other!

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  8. That's a very attractive dress - smart but so much more wearable than the original. Fuschia suits you.

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  9. you look fantastic - I always think a strong jewel tone is a great choice for serious sartorial confidence. and as someone said above, great fit and nobody but you knows about the quirks.

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  10. Such a gorgeous colour! You look great.

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  11. Your dress is gorgeous and so are you!

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