Givenchy at the Ballet

Every year, my family and I have a tradition of going to see the Nutcracker ballet in December.  This year I actually got around to making my own dress to wear, mostly because I got very sick and that time away from work freed me up to make the dress.  When I set out to choose what to make I decided to make a dress I have always loved and would be perfect for a night of magic at the ballet.  I am talking about the beautiful Givenchy for McCall's dress 3625. 

 

 

Not having the money to buy a pattern that starts at around $160 and can go all the way up to $300 I drafted the pattern myself.  After several weeks and several muslins I had a pattern that I was happy with.  I love the pink in the picture, but it's not really a good color for me so I decided on a midnight blue silk.  I had ordered samples from Mood of three different silks I was considering but being partly delirious from the flu I didn't give myself enough time to receive the samples and then order fabric, and I had to come up with something quick.  Joann's is the only local fashion fabric store I have near by, so I went to see what they had.  Luckily they always carry some rather beautiful cotton sateens, including one in the exact shade of midnight blue I wanted!

Putting the dress together wasn't very difficult, it was the facing along the bodice that was a little tricky.  I ended up sewing the facing on by machine part way, under stitching that and after turning and pressing I hand stitched the rest.  I am rather happy with the results. 

 

I didn't have enough time to make the petticoat, so i wore it without it to the ballet, but the last picture shows it with a borrowed petticoat that was a little too short for the skirt but I wanted to show the effect.  It is also why the hem looks higher in the back in that pic, 'cause I was too lazy to redo it before I took the pic.  And please excuse the ripples at the bust, the dress form I had it on was many sizes smaller than me and she just didn't have the bust to hold up the bodice;)