This summer I’m sewing along with Gertie from Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing. A bunch of other talented seamsters and I have joined up to make perfectly fitted bombshell dresses using Gertie’s Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dresses class. This post marks the beginning of the saga.
When Gertie announced her online class was in session over at Craftsy, I immediately signed up. My intentions with sewing are to learn how to sew well, and this class seemed like a good way to see how someone else makes a garment from start to finish. Someone who’s been well trained themselves and whose goal is to teach me their tips and tricks. It didn’t hurt that it was half off.*
I’ve watched all of the videos, but I have yet to sew a stitch. The class is making BurdaStyle 5/2011 Bustier Dress with Draped Detail, a bombshell dress. I have no where I’d wear such a dress right now, but I plan to make it all the same. Eventually.
- Plan A) Use the color bamboo from the fall 2011 Pantone with a silk dupioni in sunshine yellow.
- Plan B) Use some other solid color shantung, possibly emberglow, honeysuckle, or phlox; inspired by this sketch of a beautifully draped dress by Carmen Marc Valvo.
- Plan C) Use a fun patterned Japanese cotton (like that for my Lonsdale dress), which Gertie suggests as another possible fabric for this dress.
What do you think? Want to weigh in?
*Currently, if you’re a member of Craftsy, you can get a free Craftsy Tshirt while also getting 50% off. Just sign up through your Craftsy homepage.
Sew Well 
LOVE the yellow! Can’t wait to see your dress!!!!!
Thanks! If I go with the yellow, it might be a little while before I can start. I’ve hit the end of my summer sewing budget, and this project needs quite a few materials that I don’t have on hand. I’ve learned a lot from the course by just watching the videos though, so even if it takes some time to make the actual dress, I’m okay with it.
If you go with silk, I’d definitely do the yellow (although I’m personally partial to the coral-y emberglow, the yellow seems like it’d be very lovely on you). And Italian dupioni, although expensive, is such a gorgeous fabric and so incredibly easy to sew. I made my white silk jacket out of this stuff.
I am excited by the yellow, but while I can handle most yellows, it’s hard to commit without being able to test the actual yellow against my skin. Maybe I should hedge my bets and order a swatch first?
Amy, you look stunning in this dress. I thought the dress had a sheen and then you mentioned it – so it wasn’t my eyes playing tricks. You’ve done a beautiful job – congrats!
Thanks! Yes, my Lonsdale dress fabric does have a lovely sheen. I think it’ll dress up very easily.
The yellow looks cute and detailed. And I also thought it goes with pink! That will be great as well. Just personal opinion. What material did you end up using?
I ended up with a blue-ish, teal-ish shantung. But, it’s a remnant I picked up from a store in downtown San Francisco, so I have yet to confirm that I do in fact have enough for this dress. I’m crossing my fingers though!