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| Ecru Lace, via the Tessuti Shop |
How amazing is this lace? I may not be the biggest fan of the dress below (unless I wake up tomorrow with a hankering to look like a toilet roll doll), but I can definitely appreciate the lace.
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| Chanel Dress, RTW Spring 2012 via style.com |
The lovely ladies from Tessuti and I are convinced this fabric is the real deal… The dress above also making the front page of Vogue Australia’s February edition:
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| February edition of Vogue Australia |
Unfortunately my fiscal reasoning doesn’t allow me to make an entire dress from this lace, but I do have enough to make a feature panel and some little cap sleeves. Enter #131 from Burdastyle Magazine 07-2011, also available as a downloadable pattern on the Burdastyle website:
A few other bloggerette’s are making (or planning to make) this little number at the moment – and I’ve heard the fabulous square neckline that I’m loving about this pattern is scandalously low, but it’s a silhouette I keep seeing popping up:
Unfortunately I made the ultimate Burda downloadable pattern mistake – and forgot to add seam allowances to my toile! So it’s a take two on that note.
I had originally thought to stick with the Chanel colourscheme of black and white (I loved the black geometric lines featured throughout their SS/12 collection), but considering I already have a white ‘day’ dress and that I’m a colour fanatic – I’m leaning towards a wedgewood blue possibly with a small slash of another colour, or maybe a hint of black piping as well?
I can’t remember when or where, but I recall reading at some point that a famous mid-last-century’s actress once wore a skin-tight dress that was underlined in flannel to give a smooth appearance even when moving. Possibly the slip Elizabeth Taylor wore in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof? I really wish I could remember. But I love the idea of this, especially as we are heading into winter! Most ‘going-out’ dresses I have are light-weight and summery, so if I have a fancy occasion on in the winter, my options dwindle drastically. Seems like a perfect opportunity to give this flannel underlining business a whirl!
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| Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – via classicmoviestills.com |
poppykettle 
I'm in love with that lace. And the blue. And the idea of lining with flannel to smooth the line. I cannot wait to see this dress.
Yes, yes, yes! Simply LOVE-ly lace; I vote for black piping; AMAZING idea to underline in flannel!
Looks like the same lace to me, too. Your dress sounds a LOT more wearable too!
So happy that you bought this lace!! Your dress will look amazing. I just had to buy some too for Jess (she would like a top instead). Flannel – hmm, what a great idea and underlining is my favourite method of lining. Would love to find out your opinion of the flannel when it's finished and also the type of flannel – is there a difference i.e. quality?
Oh man that is going to be amazing! I am a total lace fanatic (it doesn't show up a lot in my finished garments lately, but I have a hefty amount of yardage in the stash), and I love blue, so I really can't wait to see your finished design! Also that pattern is fab (wink wink), so one you get a good muslin I am sure you will have a knock-out dress!
Wow – I love the lace – a nice change from conventional lace designs. Nice pattern choice. From the pics looks like peplums are back in. Despite the doily effect, I also love the Chanel dress – not easy for the average gal to pull off but still very pretty. Looking forward to seeing the dress and hearing about the flannel underlining.
That lace is AWESOME! I love it with the blue! This is going to be amazing!
Yup – the more I think about the black piping, the more I love the idea. So there will almost probably certainly be black piping!
Me too. If only it would make and fit itself?!
I thought so! :)
It's amazing isn't it! Ive actually got a top in mind with which to use up the left over lace – no mm of this will be wasted! I'm researching flannel as I type. It could be an interesting process…Can't wait to see what you make for Jess :)
If my dress can look half as good as yours – I will be a very happy lady! Seeing yours made me want to hurry up and get sewing on this pattern. So off I go!
That's why I loved it so! The geometric style is just so unusual…
I hope so :)
Underlined in flannel, I'm intrigued! I'm hoping you do that so you'll share how it goes now! Also I love these Elie Saab dresses, now I think I'll have to make one for my Spring wardrobe challenge!
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Love the lace- certainly changed my idea of lace.
OMG OMG I love your plan for this dress! Oooh, now I'm wanting to jump ahead and sew it too!
A flannel slip! I have cotton ones and nylon ones and would love to find a flannel. I like to pad around the house in them.
Gasp! I love this lace! Your dress is going to be fantastic!And I think the flannel underlining was possibly Marilyn Monroe's famous pink dress in her "Diamonds are a Girls best friend" number from "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" ?? However I think this was a pretty common practice for midcentury, curve-hugging looks – so I wouldn't be surprised if Lovely Liz (a.k.a Maggie the Cat) had some flannel going on underneath that slip!Good luck! Can't wait to see it!
Love the ambition! This is gonna be so rad. Can't wait to see it!! (and your suit was amazing. contrast piping especially!)
I love the lace, and, ahem, the Chanel Dress! Does anyone have any leads for the trim fabric on the dress? The piping?