Sunday, October 13, 2013

#3 LBD and a crocheted Wrap

           Vogue 8593---This pattern has been discontinued but there is a designer dress that has the same pleated neckline. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to use up some more of my black knit fabric stash and try it out. The neckline was the only distinguishing feature and it definitely isn't my favorite LBD! The pleats spread out to a general fullness in the bust, without much shape or control.
Since I wasn't that crazy about the upper part of the dress it seemed the perfect opportunity to wear it with my new crocheted shawl. I wanted something to go with any of my black outfits that would look fairly dressy.  I combined 4 different yarns with the properties of shiny metallic and fuzzy mohair.
I love combining yarns in this method as they look just like some of the very expensive variegated yarns now produced. I just made a simple rectangle and can wear it several ways---as a shrug, a shawl, or a cowl:



It works much better for me to crochet something like this with a huge (P or Q) hook. I use a simple V stitch so the large stitches imitate a knitted look.


Have you seen that Fabric Mart has announced their latest sewing challenge for the contest? http://blog.fabricmartfabrics.com/    This time it is something with a vintage look and the remaining contestants have an extra week to complete it.   I have a vintage pattern in my stash that I have been wanting to use so plan to make it this week along with them.   Is anybody else out there sewing as a "shadow" contestant?
It's fun to do it this way with no stress.   Good luck to all those remaining in the contest and I am looking forward to seeing your projects.   I see SHAMS has already blogged about her "vintage" sewing project and MEG has commented too.  It's really interesting to know their thoughts while they sew so keep informing us, contestants!

9 comments:

  1. You have the loveliest spirit.
    I am not much of a crocheter, but I do love to knit. A few years ago I made a very lacey black and gold shawl that can also be used as a scarf. Great pieces to have in your wardrobe.

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  2. I don't like this dress as much as I like all the other ones you've been making, but I do love it with your crocheted shawl:) That is beautiful! And I am very interested to see what vintage look you will make.

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  3. The dress is definitely more you with the shawl over the top - the combo of yarns is extremely effective ... J

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  4. I've never been drawn to the patterns with the pleated necklines. I guess I'm with you on not being able to shape or control them. good point! I think you did a nice sewing job on the dress, but I understand why it's not a favorite. On the other hand, the shawl is a perfect touch for it (and any other dress you pair it with). I'm currently in love with the open crochet work. Have a couple of patterns set aside, but who knows when I'll get to them. I'm currently knitting a scarf for DD for christmas from the "furry" yarn. Just a long rectangle. Hope to get a blog post done this week on my simple knitting Christmas projects. Love seeing your creations. Keep 'em coming!

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  5. You look lovely and elegant in y our black dresses and you accessorize them so well. I'm with you on this one, it isn't my favorite. Maybe you could stitch down the pleats? Your shawl is a pretty accent, along with your jewelry, glam hosiery etc.

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  6. Peg, I made this dress several years ago and I stitched the pleats down. You may want to try that. Love the wrap you crocheted to go with it. It really takes the dress up a notch! Lovely!

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  7. The crocheted wrap is so pretty, and takes the LBD to a whole new level! I like the 2 together. Carolyn's comment sparked a thought...what about stitching a few beads along the neckline?

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  8. That beautiful shawl really "makes" that dress!!

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  9. Scissor pleats have been creating problems all over the blogosphere this weekend (Debbie Cook's (Stitches and Seams ) sewed a pattern with a similar pleat in the skirt and she was not initially happy with the result.. I agree with Carolyn's suggestions of sewing down the pleats so they do not unfold/flatten out. I adore the shawl.

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