Nothing Like a Knockoff!

So, I entered the Pattern Review RTW contest.  I originally saw this Givenchy dress that was fantabulous! I went right out and looked into my stash, found what I thought would be great fabric, a cotton sateen and told my DD, that the creative juices were stirring.  Then, I got distracted.  As things tend to go.  I made a jacket (that dog has been beaten already) and a fun vintage dress before I got back to finishing and submitting my work for review.  WELL, in the interim, I changed my mind about what I wanted to submit for the challenge.  I knew I wanted a LBD because you can never have too many of those. 

When I saw this Emilo Pucci, it took my breath away and I knew it was the one! This retails for $1995.00 so that was definitely a motivator for me to try to recreate it.

 

 

 

I started with McCalls 6460.  In terms of changes I made, of course I wanted that deep "V" in the front. This pattern isn't lined (and I cannot imagine why not?) I thought it would be beneficial to line it, so I used the fabric, a matte jersey I had in my stash as the fashion fabric and the lining. 

The Pucci dress has a V back and I initially planned to do that as well.  Unfortunately, the lace I had was leftover from a dress I made for my DD's friend last year and I cut the top portion out using the pattern back. Only after it was cut did I realize I wanted the Pucci back.  By then, I didn't have enough fabric to recut and part of the goal here (for me) was to use what was in my stash, so I didn't want to go out and purchase any fabric.



 So, I stayed with the MccCalls back.  Besides, I figured I was "deep" enough in the front to not need the back out as well. LOL

 

 

 

I didn't make any other design changes really. The inspiration had a side split, but I didn't really want that style element so I didn't add it to my version.  I had planned to finish the neckbinding and sleeve binding with a sheet chiffon or polyester that I was certain was in my stash, but alas, I had none.  Oh well, I used a cotton bias and while it isn't as "ethereal" as I think the chiffon would have been, I can very easily live with it.

 

It came together really easily and quickly.  I started on it around 7:00 last night and I was done about 11:30.  I did stop to snack before I hemmed it, so it might have been midnight before I was really done.

 

 

I SOOOOOO want to win the gift certificate to Moods (that's the first and second prize on Pattern Review).  There are some fantastic submissions when last I looked, so the competition is probably pretty stiff.  But, this was fun to create.  I love the final look.  I'm glad I did it.  Almost always, when I am creating something, it's for a specific purpose, or event.  I am ALWAYS working on one thing or the other at a deadline.  It was kinda strange to not be stepping into this dress 10 minutes before I was supposed to be someplace!  But hopefully something will come up where this will be just the right thing to wear. 

 

Now if my DD would just buy me a great pair of shoes to go with this!  Oh, how I love a great shoe!

 

 





 

Sew Sewlful!