Thursday 26 November 2009

My new, homemade, tweed dress!


On the weekend I was wandering around a market when I saw some fabulous woolen tweed material poking out from a shelf of fabrics - and just had to buy it!

As it was quite expensive (when you're a poor student, anything over £5 is expensive), I wanted to make something special, so I actually tried out a few designs before jumping in with the scissors and sewing machine. One thing that I definitely wanted it to be was 60s style - so my original ideas were to make it quite mini, possibly with a bit of a peterpan collar or some little pockets.


They were all quite tempting to make, but what I REALLY wanted to do was make something with sleeves - a bit like this beautiful Calvin Klein shift dress that Alexa is expertly modelling here. I had always thought that sleeves would be hard to do, but I was feeling up for the challenge - so 6 hours later, I had finished my own version in tweed!



I'm really pleased with how it turned out, but there just seems to be something missing. So I need your opinions! How should I style the dress? Does it need a scarf? A belt? A jacket? Or a cardi?
Also - is it too plain? Should I add something like a black velvet collar?

So many questions! It's just not quite perfect yet!

Sadie xxx

37 comments:

Stéphanie said...

You did an amazing job on this dress. I really like it :)

Corinna said...

you did a great job! a black velvet collar sound great, but the back where it's a little lower also looks nice. maybe you could do a detachable collar?

this is not a joke said...

I love it! I def think it needs a belt, and the great thing about that is that you can change the belt depending on your mood! Or, you can use a scarf as a belt which I always love when I do it, but forget that it is an option.

Anyway, good work!

Alissa Evelyn said...

i think the neckline and the sleeves are gorgeous as they are, so maybe a belt would add that little extra something!

ps. i started knitting after reading your previous post...i've got pics on my blog!

Jessica Samantha said...

I think it needs a black leather belt! But a thin one :D

BEUTIFUL!

SHOW US HOW YOU DID IT!

Diane said...

Such an amazing job you did! Oh my, I wish I had your sewing skills because you're always showing us all of your beautiful homemade dresses. Do you draw out a pattern as well? Do you have sample patterns you base your dresses off of?

I second Corinna's suggestion of doing a detachable collar - a detachable velvet black collar sounds so great.

Ingvild said...

I think a black velvet peter pan collar would be a great idea. And also a thin brown leather belt around your waist, then it´s perfect!

Gracie said...

ooh I love it!! and I think it would look perfect with a velvet bow belt, rebecca (the clothes horse) made some lovely ones!!

sophiemakesthings said...

this is a lovely dress :) it looks so well made!
i think that a velvet peter pan collar could look very nice, maybe 3 buttons or a bow/brooch in the middle?
if you dont want to permenantly attach a collar to it, you could do what i did once, and make a detachable collar, so it just sits ontop and can be safety-pinned on :)
the material is verrryy nice too! xxx

Cait said...

Cute dress! I'm so jealous of all the things you make. I haven't made anything for myself in the longest time. Mostly because I'm always so busy making period costumes at college.

My vote will always, always be for a velvet peter pan collar. Three velvet buttons down the c/f would be really cute too!

Georgie said...

Great dress! I like the way you styled it in the photos with the black brogues, I dont think it needs a collar but a cardigan would look great.
xx

delicate diaries said...

it looks really gorgeous!! I need to do more posts about my clothes I make! hahah,,, oh you do inspire me to do so much more...

Maddie said...

wow, so talented! I use to work in a fabric store and customers were always asking for dressmakers so there's pennies to be made if you put a business card up in a few places :)

B a la Moda said...

WOW! I think the dress is super cute and it is very well made. Thea fabric is nice. I think pairing it with a coat like you are doing or with a maxi jacket could work. Also adding a necklace tied to the neck.

xoxo
B* a la Moda

Dannie said...

greeeat dress
u look adorable in it, amazing job dahling
looving thee color as well ;)

Amelia said...

You are so good! The dress looks amazing. I do think it could use a collar, though. I love the 60s-ish style.

Sophie said...

Wow! I am super jealous of your sewing skills! I think it's perfect, the fabric especially.

Rachel said...

Love it! I really like how simple it is and think you should just dress it up with accessories. That way you can have more options than if you added something permanent.

p.s. I'm having a contest on my blog, if you want to enter.

le blog de leen said...

wow that's pretty impressive!

leen

Parapluie said...

It looks really nice! You could add a belt but I really like it this way, too!

Shirley Wijaya said...

love the dress ;) you match it in a great way :P

Unknown said...

What a lovely dress! I agree with the posters above, some buttons down the front would look cute :) I absolutely love working with tweed - I bought some off-cuts from a charity shop recently, and I found it so easy to use! I've made a few of these (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dLD0FkuJBBU/Sv59Dx2rpsI/AAAAAAAAABw/zHxgJfDc7mM/s1600-h/Buttons+019.jpg) recently, and they're going to be everyone's Chrsitmas presents this year!

http://wrappedupwithstring.blogspot.com/

Am. said...

I really love that dress!!!

Jazz Virtue said...

I love it! Looks fantastic :)

Jessica said...

i always want the ability of sewing and making clothes!! :( hahaha
so creative yet the fabric is nice!! ^^

Unknown said...

You did a great job on the dress! I think you need a statement necklace to wear with it :)

I completely agree about anything over £5 being expensive when you're a student, it's such a pain!

Penny said...

It looks so so lovely! I suggest a bright belt. (:

Diary of a Young Designer said...

I adore it! Tho I think you can wear it however you please, the piece seems to have lovely versatility. I'd say add a cute scarf and you are ready to go!

Hope you have a sweet weekend!

xo
Sophie

The Fierce Berry said...

love that dress dear :D you look so pretty as alwaaaaaaaays ! anyway, i need your help on my blog, thanks !

Anonymous said...

I like your style!!!

Maria Confer said...

Oh, wow! It's so amazing. You did a wonderful job!

lululetty.blogspot.com

street angel said...

Beautiful!

Zhcsyra hp said...

love ur fab shoes,adorable blazer and sweet dress <3333



http://wwwtariarizona.blogspot.com/

liisaandra said...

Wow-wow-wow! I love your pictures, I love your outfits and you are so amazingly beautiful! :-)
The dress is very very nice! :)

Rachel said...

wow, turned out reallyy well!
i think the lower back bit looks lovely and a collar might ruin that?
anyway, it's pretty versatile, so you could dress it up or down in so many different ways; always good!
x x x

Lexie said...

you did an AMAZING job on this dress! i'm so envious of your skills and patience - sewing is hard work.

Anonymous said...

I love it! Did you use a homemade pattern? If so, would you like to share it? :) I do it yourself would be EXTREMELY appreciated. You are incredible!!!