18 July 2012

Memories of a Prom Dress

As many of you know, I chaperone Prom every year and this year* was no exception.  As per my usual, I sewed up a spiffy little dress.  I love attending Prom because it allows me to indulge in my desire for pretty party dresses by providing me with a venue to display said dresses.

This year, I revisited a lovely vintage pattern, Simplicity 3323.  I have made this pattern before, so knew how to put it together quickly (since I was coming down to the wire in terms of timing - why, oh why, do I always leave my Prom dresses to the last minute?).  I also had a list of tweaks to make to the dress that I had jotted down from the first go around.  The bodice was lengthened by 1" and I scooped away a 1/2" of the front armscyces, as the original dress was binding on my arms when I would reach forward.  This solved the really rather annoying straight-jackety feeling.

I chose a bright blue taffeta that had black flocked roses scattered over the fabric.  I had received this fabric as a freebie from Fabric Mart a year or so ago and it had been impatiently aging in my stash ever since.  I am absolutely smitten with this fabric, but I never would have purchased it on my own.  Thank you Fabric Mart's Free Bundle for providing me with interesting and unexpected  textiles! 

Only the bodice is lined (with some black silk dupioni that was left over from another project), as the flocked fabric is not transparent at all and I wanted the dress to be light and airy for a warm day.

I accessorized the distinctly 50s dress with a pair of metallic T-strap heels and a small sparkly pin at the waist.

I received many compliments (from students and staff alike) and I was cool and comfortable all evening.  This dress was a definite winner!

* Prom actually occurred at the beginning of May, so let's pretend it didn't take me two months to post this, mmkay?

22 comments:

Carol said...

It's very pretty. I love when I have fabric I wouldn't normally buy because it somehow frees up my creativity. I'm sure this dress will see a lot of wear and I your shoes.

Unknown said...

Lovely dress! I feel your pain about waiting until the last minute with Prom, every year I find myself stressing and staying up too late! Ours was May 23, and it was so hot and humid!

Amy said...

That is a great fabric and the combination is lovely.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I'm glad to know that while you weren't blogging, you were still sewing...so please feel free to share with us (I really mean me! *LOL*) any previous makes.

This is gorgeous Shannon and all of the compliments were well deserved!

Andrea said...

I don't think I've commented on your blog before, as I recently found your blog. Your dress is beautiful, and you look wonderful in this color. Gorgeous!

shams said...

That is a beautiful dress, Shannon! And what a lovely color.

angie.a said...

This is Beautiful! Capital B worthy. :D

Fran said...

Beautiful! Missed you!

pdiddly said...

lovely looking dress - glad it went down well

T. Sedai said...

So pretty! I love the fabric you used - it is just perfect with the style of that dress.

Vicki said...

Nice work. Lovely fabric!

Anonymous said...

Your dress is so beautiful! I have the same fabric and I like it so much I am afraid of cutting it! You should send your picture to FM - They have a Facebook page and they display the creations made with their fabrics. Your creation deserves to be shown! xoxo, Carina

Audrey said...

It is a beautiful dress and that color blue looks fantastic on you.

Claire S. said...

Beautiful ! Glad to see you back.

Lene said...

WB! so good to see you blogging again :-) Apart from your fabulous sewing, I have missed your rants on the way young women behave and are treated - perhaps another one is building?

French Seam said...

It's nice to see you back online ~ I click on your page every other week or so, hoping you're posting again ~ and you are !

Unknown said...

This fabric is stunning and looks lovely with your colouring.

Kay said...

Fabulous dress!!! and you look gorgeous in it!

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Emma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emma said...


This dress is absolutely gorgeous! This
prom dress is a beautiful color, fits as expected.

The color of the dress is beautifully accented.
it looks even hotter on any occasion.
A long prom dress/formal/party dressf is a very famous Dress in the world.

Anonymous said...

Love jacking off to this picture