Thursday, April 23, 2009

We're off to see the Wizard!


Poppies! Poppies will put them to sleep... sleeeeeeeep.

Now they'll sleeee-eep.....



We're taking a little trip to Kansas City this weekend to celebrate the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. (and my birthday!)


There is an exhibit at Crown Center, and then we will drive about another 100 miles to Wamego to the
WOZ museum there.


I was going to post some more Titanic related stuff, but I got busy this week sewing my FIRST PATTERN ever! I decided to make a dress for the WOZ event when I saw all the great anniversary fabric they have out. I promise there will be more Titanic posts later!

So, I've actually made two dresses this past week, the first was a trial. I'm so excited that I've actually put a pattern together that I cannot wait to sew more!

The pattern is the famous "walk away" dress. The Butterick 4790 pattern. A re-issue of the original 6015. It has also been number 7500.




The following info is from http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Butterick_6015
Quick & Easy One Piece Wrap Dress. Here's the smartest idea of the season . . . a dress that has only back waist and shoulder seams, that has its back wrapped around to the front for a sheath-and-overskirt look. Binding finishes the edges. Wear it for any occasion. Made from just 3 pattern pieces, no facings!


Here's a look at the history of the Walk-away Dress:
During the 1950's, Butterick experienced a phenomenon it had not known since the 'Garibaldi Suit' of the late 1860's. It was pattern 6015, and it was dubbed the 'walk-away' dress, because it was so easy you could "Start it after breakfast... walk-away in it for luncheon!".


It's simple yet flattering wrap design and easy construction were what made it so popular. Sales of the pattern were so great, that at one point manufacturing of all other patterns ceased, and only the 'walk-away' dress was produced until all back-orders for this dress could be filled.
Fabrics - crepe, taffeta, faille, satin, velveteen, shantung, gingham, chambray, cotton prints, linen, pique, cotton broadcloth, light weight wool crepe, silk.



I read many reviews and have seen tons of awesome specimens of this dress!


Here are my notes on the pattern.... Now before I show you, let me tell you that it is quite obnoxious. I know the underskirt fabric is not "appropriate" for this pattern, but I don't care. I like it and wanted to use it~



Ok, I cut the shoulders at a size 14, but kept the neckline at an 8.I cut the rest of the dress to fit a 12. I sewed the breast darts at an 8, but the rest of the darts at a 10. Sounds crazy maybe, but it fits.It's a trifle snug in the waist, but I did that on purpose as I am up a few pounds right now.


I rounded off the skirt edges, which I now rather regret as I wasn't thinking it would hang like a jabot. Oh well. I also extended the waist line that wraps around the back as far as I could; all the way to the salvage edge of the fabric. Then I rounded off the edges on the bottoms there as well. After sewing the bias tape to the entire underskirt, it didn't ride up like it had before. I think rounding off the edges really helps to keep it from getting caught in the overskirt and causing it to ride up too.


I didn't have enough poppy fabric for the back bodice so I sewed two pieces together.


Oh! I also sewed the back to the front right where it crosses under the arms. Yes, I have to wriggle a bit to get in and out of it, but it's alot better than dealing with shifting all day long!



Soooo, without further adieu...

Nova told me I need snow for the poppies, lol! Too cute!




Yes, I could've just worn my "Dorothy" dress... but I've worn it so many times, and it would be expected right? : P





I bought the orange shoes at Old Navy. But they were $30. (I thought they were only $20 when I bought them.) I've decided I cannot do $30 for a pair of shoes and they are going back. They are VERY comfortable tho!

I like the green ones better anyway. I'll be on the look out for some yellow shoes!

Kevin actually likes my ruby slippers with it, but I don't want to be dropping red glitter everywhere all day, lol! I'm taking them along just in case.






To see more notes and pics on this dress, click here.

If you do a google image search for Butterick 4790 you'll see many of the wonderful versions out there, along with great reviews. Thanks to all of you out there who have made this dress, you made taking the plunge a lot easier for me!

13 comments:

Clare said...

Oh, what a dream come true! I would have loved that dress as a five-year-old Wizard of Oz obsessive, and I think I'd like it just as much now. Love it!!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

You did an amazing job, sewing this dress! I was always sort of intimidated with butterick. I used those patterns, but I thought they were a tad more complicated than simplicity. So I double commend you on making this beautiful WOZ dress.

Have fun in KC!

A Southern Rose said...

Your dress turned out beautiful! I've never sewn a pattern before. I have always wanted too. I will have to start will something more simple! I've only made 3 pillows with my new sewing machine so far. I had never used a machine before! I need lots and lots of practice! This pattern you chose could be used with so many pretty fabrics! I can just picture 'shabby roses' with the outside layer being white and with lots of lace. Maybe battenburg lace.

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Decor To Adore said...

Oh what a completely adorable dress! TWOZ is one of my all time favorites. My grandmother lives near the JudyGarland museum in Grand Rapids, MN. Let me know how the trip goes.

Stop by for my 200th post giveaway.

Bree said...

I love this, this is the best variation I've seen so far. How cute are you? I love that you came up with something different for TWOZ!

Anonymous said...

Happy early b.day!!!
You lucky lady, your b.day trip sounds so much fun. I also love your dress, it's perfect.
Have a fun and safe trip :)

Amber said...

I love the way your dress turned out! It's amazing! I can't gush enough!

Justine said...

You are INSANE woman!!!!!!!! The dress is incredible, but I can't believe you made it just to go to this WOZ thing! I bet your dress will be one of a kind! LOL!
Have a great time and strut your sexy stuff!

Justine :o 0

Unknown said...

Happy B-Day!!! Your dress is awesome. You are such a statement! :) Is there anything that you don't do well?! I was cracking up when I read about the fabric.

You will have such a great time!:)

~Liz

Rue said...

Happy Birthday Nikki!!! I hope your having a blast in that fantastic dress. You did an incredible job on it :)

Oh and when I see poppies, I always say that line from the movie LOL

(((hugs)))
rue

Jaede said...

Love your dress !!! Have a wonderful time and I can't wait to hear about it xxx

La Tea Dah said...

Your dress turned out beautifully! I looks most lovely on you!

LaTeaDah

Lolita Haze said...

I know this post is fiercely old, but THAT DRESS! LOVE IT!!!