THE MUSE

Glorious in Stretch velvet

I made this dress for my brother’s wedding in August. I made it in a stretch velvet which was a challenge, but it meant I didn’t need the zip as I could just pull the dress on over my head. It worked a dream and is so dramatic with the frilled sleeves and frilled hem. I absolutely love it, and have worn it on a cruise since to many compliments. I’m going to make a more traditional version in a stiffer non stretch fabric next for my son’s wedding (but omit the sleeve frills) and will make a Chanel style tweed jacket to go on top.

Delighted

I whizzed this up very quickly in a size 12 with no alterations required. I used a one off vintage style fine cotton lawn from The Cloth Shop in Portobello Road London at £12.50 a meter. ( a wonderful shop if you ever get the chance). I doubled the sleeve frill to avoid a sleeve hem and the extra weight makes them hang well. I lined the bodice with standard polyester that I had in and extended down to just above knee length. I would have fully lined but ran out of cloth but could add more later but it is fine as it is. I finished by bias binding the lining arm holes and sleeve frill seams. The zip insertion instructions were really clear. My neatest zip ever. It's fits perfectly. I'll make another.

Beautiful dress

Have made a toile and altered the bodice slightly. Was so eager to see a different style on me and it is so slimming. Looking forward to making more in different fabrics. Changed the zip to te side seam too. It’s so easy to wear.