La Robe Noir
General, Sewing / Posted on July 7th, 2010
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve started a sewing project with great hopes, which were ultimately dashed by stupid mistakes and questionable decisions. It’s rare to have something turn out better than I hoped, despite stupid mistakes and questionable decisions, but that’s what happened with my little black dress.
I love, love, love how it turned out! Look:
It’s the first dress I’ve made in ages that I’m excited to wear. A lot of today’s styles just don’t look right on me. They emphasize all the wrong things, i.e. my short upper torso, narrow sloping shoulders and wide hips. This dress shifts attention away from those features and highlights my better ones.
I especially like the double cap sleeves. They might look odd on someone with broad shoulders, but they help balance out my figure.
The wide neckline is flattering too, but is a tad wider than optimal, since my bra straps end up on display. I’m wearing a strapless bra here.
Instead of the fabric band called for by the instructions, I bound the center of the empire belt with a piece of sequined trim. It looks classy in person–I just can’t get a good photo of it.
I suspect one panel was cut off grain, since there’s a bit of rippling in it, but it’s not a significant enough problem to trouble me.
The instructions didn’t call for it, but I created a slit in the back seam to allow me to maintain my usual long stride when walking. No mincing steps required!
It was pretty easy to do. I sewed the back seam of both the shell and lining to the point where I wanted the slit to start–about eight inches from the unhemmed bottom of the skirt. I then hemmed the skirt and the lining. The lining ended up about 3/4″ shorter than the outer skirt. With right sides together, I sewed the lining to the outer skirt at the slit opening. A little understitching keeps the lining in place on the inside of the slit.
Speaking of stupid mistakes, remember how upset I was over the hole I snipped into the lining?
Many of you suggested I fix it with a fusible patch. That sounds like a great way to handle that. Thank you for the ideas and support. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any black fusible on hand, so I created a patch out of the lining fabric. It looks neat enough and there’s no show-through on the outside of the dress. *phew*
Now, I just need to find the right necklace to wear with it. A dress like this deserves some fancy jewelry.
Posted by 
July 7th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Great looking dress.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
This dress is so beautiful, great job and you look fantastic…
July 7th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Oh, I love this dress on you! You look great in black, and I agree that the shape is very flattering. Good job – and good recovery on the lining disaster!
July 7th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
I love this dress. It is very flattering on you. I have broad shoulders so thanks for the heads up. I’m looking forward to following your blog.
July 7th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Oh, that does look incredible on you! What pattern was that again? ; )
July 8th, 2010 at 1:48 am
this is one beautiful dress, great LBD
July 8th, 2010 at 3:40 am
What a beauty! Great job, love the sleeves and the fit is perfect for you!
July 8th, 2010 at 5:02 am
Gorgeous! You look fantastic!
July 8th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Amy, your dress is TDF! It looks so good on you!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:11 am
It looks amazing!! Nice work!
July 8th, 2010 at 7:42 am
What a beautiful dress, fabulous!! And you are right it is perfect for your shape.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:54 am
You have done an amazing job on this dress. The fit looks superb.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Lovely and it’s sure to be timeless also. I’m sure you’ll get a ton of use out of this dress for years to come! Well done.
July 8th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
this dress is absolutely stunning! so elegant, and so flattering on you
July 8th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Oh wow, it’s gorgeous, and you look amazing!! What a flattering dress and it fits you so well!
July 9th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Super sexy! Foxy Mama! You look classic and steamy all at once. *And* you made it.
July 9th, 2010 at 7:46 am
WOW! You’ve made black a luminous color!
July 10th, 2010 at 1:18 am
That dress is sooo beautiful and you look so stunning in it. I have had it in my mind to make it for the longest time… well done that dress is a total knock out .. literally, I think you are going to give us other wardrobe contest contenders an impossible act to follow …
July 12th, 2010 at 5:18 am
Gorgeous! You look fantastic, and I LOVE your dress.
July 19th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Stunning dress! You look fantastic! It’s so great to sew clothes that fit and flatter your own figure.