A few months ago, I was invited to the 18th birthday party of a student. It is a huge formal affair - a "debut" party. I was so flattered to be included in amongst her friends and family - it is such an honour. Unfortunately, I didn't have a dress to wear. Yeah, I know what you're thinking "What is she talking about?...She just did a complete
formal wear SWAP." I know, but here's the deal. I already wore two of the dresses to school functions and most of the other pieces are more for winter formal events. So I decided to create a new dress.
I wanted something formal, but comfortable, appropriate, but a bit daring. I searched through oodles of vintage dress images I have saved from the internet and found inspiration in this dress from
Vintageous:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIKjeSmLV0OmoYQu4VqMGmSTkQSEd85WPz8wgN2HdtNJzGIlQq1t2le_QCuBN1NvqxN7zZZ8A47QmGRBQLQU0YnD472uT08uZcAfag3xwQQRdihftOWmOR-jNDK8yVp9d58Fdn30Vn-ik/s320/dress.jpg)
I love the high neckline in front, the slim waist and hip, the full skirt, but most of all, the low dip in the back. I decided to attempt a muslin for this dress using a TNT pattern. I don't have many TNTs, but this dress is so flattering that it has been altered to perfection and made 3 times now, with many more to come. The pattern is
McCall's 5042:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7p2kFMkWxHglLEXxG6C6uhUpyoegiqfm44VXAG1vdLpk8D5hLuZEz4lwt9MbFh8sInSMI55JIAfslBBQttJQmS-azo2eq2zuYMHkLz8dTwjF5FOl-uOc3PR4-kaX0hOeTykzqwcr5YyO-/s320/M5042.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPE1OI5oco5OfHfQWwKM0NzcGuLR2SPPMGcnfd7MkpleTcZI7k4qUf8QDKGRxt1RHSuYuzOL9wy8yyvpBwfgccYrbhwcXf0Y7wCQSIMV4i2Ky50vZcIsGMDp19BvaiN_dxoaf3Q7W451c/s320/M5042.gif)
In the past, I have made both view C and view D, in stretch cottons. These two dresses are so comfortable and flattering:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrcH51CNq98IlgcZCFA2ixwZHZ7hWcGTc_KcoaF5NiJGc40cybBLT3XjrCmEmigRsd6X0Sq-ItwqGXJ9a2RXGNwoLoRs6hyznteSF3t3V7PgZqIrIv7ND_hroj8dnXL6pdifEks9tO2N_/s320/tealyellowdress.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGWPTIsUNBTLb0B2HuiCnq_2IlMEnLH4Oe4M1HpTAM8OkDZncUUyPONBL6PZoQz530T4HiR0f94tElggw3UoLt3DREyfBm8gqf35xfFeeyJIG9zXwHggeLhgQ5OK11iQby0dBX98V7PkW/s320/khakitealdress.jpg)
Looking critically at the pattern, I noticed it was almost perfect for my inspiration dress. The only alteration needed was to draft a new back bodice to create the low scoop. I traced out the central back bodice and fudged in what looked like a good scoop.
I looked through my extensive fabric stash to find some appropriate wearable muslin fabric. I found a 2 m length of black silk/rayon brocade that I bought on a whim, but never quite knew what to do with it - now, I knew what to do with it. I lined the bodice with black Bemberg rayon.
Tomorrow: the dress and party reminiscences...