While working on my planned holiday outfit this year, I came to the realization that a) I might not get completed in time, and b) I wanted something more modest for my staff party than I had originally planned.
With just over a week to go, I knew I needed an easy TNT pattern & fabric from my stash to make this work. Inspired by Winnie’s lovely recent LBD, and realizing I was devoid of an LBD of my own (the horror!!) I decided to shamelessly copy her with my own (already altered) Laurel pattern & some embroidered border print silk-cotton I had been hoarding 🙂
closeup of border hem – lovely embroidered silk cotton! 🙂
I just love this pattern – not much new to say on it as I’ve already done the fit adjustments before – all I did differently here was to shorten the sleeves.
I’m still working on the original outfit I’d planned (in a sumptuous silk duchesse!!), but it’ll be for New Year’s; much more party and much less work appropriate! ^_^
Symon Sez 
December 9th, 2014 at 9:28 am
Oh how beautiful you look! It’s gorgeous. And that’s just classic. We sewed to get away from our boring black wardrobes and look what happens… we forgot to make an LBD!! Ahem. I might need to do the same! Excited to see your party number. x
December 9th, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Haha Janene – so true, but you know, the more I sew, the more I realize it’s the black/navy stuff I make that actually gets worn – I’m starting to think I need to just embrace the fact I’m meant to wear it and just make black stuff all the time lol
December 9th, 2014 at 9:58 am
What a great choice of fabric for a LBD! That border is gorgeous. Lookin’ good! You are not the last one to have a LBD in your closet, btw. I do not own one, and probably never will because black makes me look death warmed over. 😀
December 9th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Aww Tia – but you know, you do look fab in earth tones so maybe your LBD could stand for little BROWN dress 😉 ^_^
December 9th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
What a great LBD! I love, love the fabric, it is so beautiful, and perfect for a dress with a simple silhouette.
December 9th, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Thanks Annabelle! I remember when I bought it I knew I had to have it but didn’t know why… isn’t that just the best thing about having a stash? ^_^ I love it when the perfect piece comes together that way! 🙂
December 9th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
Hot damn, this is smashing! Awesome!!!
December 10th, 2014 at 7:03 am
Thanks Amanda! Nothing beats an LBD for effortless style, right? ^_^
December 10th, 2014 at 12:19 am
Wow this is lovely amanda! The simple shape really let’s that gorgeous fabric shine.
December 10th, 2014 at 7:04 am
Thank you! It’s definitely best to let the fabric take front stage in some cases! ^_^
December 10th, 2014 at 6:32 am
That fabric!!! Sigh… You definitely did that gorgeous fabric justice by pairing it with a simple but elegant silhouette! Well done! You look fantastic!
December 10th, 2014 at 7:05 am
Thanks Sallie! It was meant to be, for sure 🙂
December 10th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
That hem is to die for!!!!! What a beautiful dress.
xo your LBD fan (I’ve made three this year!)
December 10th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Thanks Erin ^_^ The LBD really is magical – it makes one feel like a superstar doesn’t it? ^_^
December 14th, 2014 at 7:06 am
You look a million dollars Amanda- it is STUNNING – you are STUNNING! I love the embroidered hem as well. It’s so pretty, so classy. I am glad to have in anyway helped you along to making it, it’ll be such a useful thing to have – I am already glad I made mine! Somehow we forget just how amazing a LBD can be…simple, classic.
December 14th, 2014 at 11:02 am
Thanks so much Winnie! 🙂 So true – simple, classic pieces are always the ones I feel most amazing in! 🙂
December 18th, 2014 at 7:06 am
Cute dress! I love the way you’ve used the border – great way to showcase that fabulous fabric 😄
Considering how “essential” an LBD is supposed to be, it’s funny how many of us don’t have one! (I don’t either. Seeing yours and Winnies is making me think I should do something about that at some point…!)
December 18th, 2014 at 8:32 am
Thanks Kat! It sounds weird but knowing it’s there in my closet I feel “safer” taking risks on an untried pattern for a special event, as i know it’s a great fall-back if needed! ^_^
December 22nd, 2014 at 4:51 pm
That doesn’t sound weird at all! In fact, it makes so much sense it seems like an almost perfect reason to make an LBD! (But then, I have a terrible habit of last-minute untesting-pattern sewing for events, haha! Sometimes that works out, other times… not so much.)
December 23rd, 2014 at 7:55 am
exactly!!! i do that too – so having a backup is a great plan! ^_^
December 24th, 2014 at 8:41 am
hey, i’m with ya, having just hacked up the two LBDs i’ve made, i’m now devoid! yours has so much visual interest, i love that hemline.
December 24th, 2014 at 10:49 am
well thank you darlin!! as stunning as you would look in black, i have to imagine you’d much rather reach for one of your fabulous rainbow concoctions anyway! ^_^