Saturday, November 5, 2016

A Designed by Diana Dress (With a Little Help From Burda)

Well, I've been away for quite a while I guess. I've been and still am very sick because of allergies symptoms which affect my respirator system. I thought once colder weather appeared, I'd feel better but I guess my immune system has been compromised . Even writing a post is almost overwhelming right now

 BUT!!!!! I've been able to sew all this time because my sewing room, which is in the basement of our house, has become my haven/prison. It's the only place where I'm not affected and where I get relief. Almost all of the sewing I did in October was for Good Will. and I did a lot of it. I'll show you next time .

A while back, I received  a  complimentary issue of both  My image and Be Trendy magazine and the company , Made By Oranges,  based in the Netherlands,  kindly offered a 25% discount to  any of my readers who wished to subscribe to either My Image or Be Trendy (the adorable children's version ).
Use discount code PASSIONISTA to get your 25% savings.
Each magazine includes 20 or so  patterns and include 3 pdfs (down loadable ) patterns. I'm in the process of using one of the patterns for dresses for Riley and Poppy. Very cute!!!

It took me about six weeks from beginning to end to make the dress I'm showing you today, working on it a little at a time and I love the results. I designed it myself with a little inspiration from the photo below. (not sure where it came from ) and with the help of this Burda pattern.




The fabric is a ponte print from my stash and bought at Fabricville with real leather accents cut from a Michael Kors skirt bought at Value Village. The grosgrain ribbon with grommets trim,  I bought on Rue Saint Hubert in Montreal a couple of years ago. And Voila!



A close-up of the leather and trim details. I applied the leather shoulder sections over the  fabric then the grommet trim overlapping the edge of the leather. Believe me my friends, I used a lot  of Wonder Tape for this project.

If yo not familiar with Wonder Tape, it's a wash away two way tape
that is very useful for placements when you're not sure where you want to place them because you can move the around before you decide.



I added leather trimmed patch pockets and repeated the shoulder details at the cuffs. For the sleeve I used  a poly ottoman from my stash because of it's dark black shade .



I added the same shoulder details in the back as well as an exposed zipper, a look  which I love.




For my dress I used my Burda sloper developed from Burda 6988. I changed the skirt to a slight A-line  shape for a change from the pencil skirt shape I most often use. I have to say that I'm very happy with the fit of this piece. It's as perfect as I'm ever going to achieve I think.

I wore my new dress to church Sunday and felt like a million dollars. I guess I felt so great to get out of the house. My husband said it was a shame to cover up the dress but I took off the coat at the restaurant afterward.




I'm very happy to finally get back to blogging. I'm still quite weak from my above mentioned allergy problems and I'm  a little worried I won't be able to go to Ottawa for my Riley's 7th birthday in two weeks and so is she!!!!

I hope it won't be as long before my next post. I want to share a special wrap I made and sold to make money for the Food Bank ( so far $150.00!!)

Happy sewing dear sewing friends from



32 comments:

Schmoomom said...

Your new dress is lovely and really suits you! I'm so sorry to hear you've been unwell, though! I have only ever lurked until now but I greatly enjoy your sewing posts and wanted you to know that I've missed you and hope you get some relief from your health problems soon.

Beverly said...

I really love your dress! The fabric choice and the trim you added is so creative. And you look great in it!

Lynn said...

So sorry to hear you have been ill. I'm sympathetic/empathetic as my various symptoms are leading me to seek out a diagnosis. Your dress is darling! Once again, you've hit one out of the ballpark--I would be happy to sneak that little number into my closet.

Linda T said...

I can see why you love this dress! It looks perfect from here. Very flattering on you as well. All A+'s. Sorry to hear of your allergy issues. Those can be so debilitating. I am happy to know at least you can get relief in one room of the house!

Soposie said...

That dress is beautiful! Beautiful fit and beautiful design details. Sorry that you're feeling poorly and hope you feel better soon.

Vicki said...

That is a lovely dress. A beautiful fit and a bit edgy. I wonder when you add real leather how you wash the dress? Or will it be dry clean only? Hope you continue to improve and feel like your old self very soon!

sewingkm said...

This dress is so on trend/fashion forward and beautifully made. Hope you get completely well soon. Karen

Sarah Liz said...

I'm sorry you have not been well - allergies are horrible to live with, I suffer them too. Quite debilitating at times, aren't they. Quite a hidden disability not understood by those that do not suffer this way. I am glad you are on the mend. And what a stunning dress you have made. I hope you are well for the party - don't do too much over the next couple of weeks so you are not too tired.

Sew, Jean Margaret said...

So sorry to hear you have not been well. Your dress is fabulous and you look so stylish in it. It must feel fantastic to know that you designed it and made it yourself. Very glad that you feel some relief in your sewing room...a great reason to sew.

Carole said...

So sorry to hear that you have been so ill and hope you will soon be back to full health. What a lovely dress you have created. It looks just lovely.
I really enjoy reading your blogs and find your creatativity inspiring. My sewing skills are nowhere near as good as yours but your blog always makes me want to be more adventurous.
Hope you make it to your granddaughter's birthday celebration.

Jane M said...

What a spectacular dress, Diana, with wonderful details. You are inspiring me to up my game with some distinctive details. And so sorry to hear about not feeling well. I had a terrible sinus infection from allergies last year that carried on for almost two months so I sympathize. It's so annoying to feel so fatigued when there are so many ideas percolating in your head. Hope you feel better soon.

beckster said...

I have been having the same problems with allergies and respiratory problems this year, which is unusual for me to have them so severely. So, I understand and hope you start feeling better very soon. It's fabulous that you get some relief in your sewing room! Your dress is very sharp, and it looks great on you. Hope to see some more posts soon. Take care!

Coco said...

What a wowser and your sewing is wonderful. I hope you feel better soon, it's so enervating to be sick for a long time...

Ohhhmy said...

Beautifully designed dress. Hope you are all better soon and if there was only one room where you experienced some relief, what better than a sewing room. Thank you for the post despite it was an arduous effort. Very kind of you to think of others at a time of your difficulties. Congratulations on your sales and to donate to those in need.

Amanda S. said...

So sorry you've been sick and had a bunch of wadders in a row. Not fun at all. This dress is simply gorgeous and looks very high end designer. I always see a similar trim at my local fabric store and have liked it but haven't had any idea of what to use it for. The way you've used it here is perfection, and I just may have to copy in some future project. I hope you feel better soon!

Brenda said...

Really, really nice. Your best yet, in my opinion. First time I've commented, but I've been reading your blog for quite some time. Thanks for the inspiration.

Ann Brodsky said...

Diana,
I'm so sorry to hear you've not been feeling well. I hope things will steadily improve. I absolutely love everything about this dress! We must be on the same wavelength, as I recently also made a black and grey animal print shift dress with black sleeves! Your version is far and away superior with your great learher detail. Great job and feel better

svetavedmed said...

You have a wonderful dress and it suit you so much. I wish you health and inspiration for more beautiful dresses.

Regina Gee said...

Wishing you much better health for I have missed your posts. You look very stylish in this dress and all of the details are fabulous!

TheTellTaleTasha said...

you look AMAZING!! I really hope you feel better soon!

Bernice said...

Best wishes for feeling better soon.
Your dress is absolutely gorgeous, and so very flattering. I love it!

Nancy K said...

Your dress is fabulous! Your fabric mixing is just right and it's a perfect look for you.
I hope that you are feeling better soon!

Judith said...

I am so glad you're back! I kept checking for your blog and wondered. Your dress is terrific and the details - so inspiring! I do wish you the best of health in the coming days.

quinn said...

Fabulous!!! Hope you feel better.

Donna DeCourcy said...

That is such a cute dress, with so many styling details! It looks comfortable and very fashionable. I'm sorry to hear about your allergy issues kicking up again. I hope you feel better soon, and are enjoying Riley's birthday.

Unknown said...

Diana, it might be an idea to find out why you are able to tolerate staying in the basement of your home and are unable to stay upstairs without triggering asthma problems. Perhaps you have wool carpeting that you are more sensitive to when the windows are closed. We had to get rid of all the carpeting. It certainly helped.
I hope you are able to get to your granddaughter's birthday.
You take care.

Cennetta said...

Sassy, classy dress. I simply love the details. Very flattering.

Joyree said...

I didn't know you suffered with allergies also. They have been awful here this Fall. I swallow so many pills to try to stop the symptoms.
Your dress is PERFECT. Very flattering and the fit is just right. You really are an awesome seamstress!
Hugs, Joy

Sharon said...

Love your new dress the details make it and you look so happy with it. Sorry to hear you have been suffering with allergies, they are no fun and hope you are feeling much better.

Nan said...

This dress is so pretty. You make me want to get in there and get at it. Your clothes are lovely and for real women. Thank you so much for sharing your work. I look forward to each post from you.
Sure hope you are feeling better by now.

Ann Made Studio said...

Diana I love this dress!!! Perfect pairing of fabrics and it fits you so perfect.

Sharon said...

Your dress is one amazing dress you look a million dollars wearing it and the fact that you weren't feeling that we'll says how good it looks on you. I am way behind but hope you have got your allergies up derived control.