Great Advice

The people have spoken!  Thank you SO much for taking the time to share your opinions about the mixer dress.  Everyone made great points and I now have an idea of what I will do.

Scooped Neckline:  I won't try to copy the neckline on the inspiration dress.  The NL neckline would have to stay pretty high in order to make this successful and I just don't think that's a flattering look.  Butterick 5827 has a similar neckline, but the collar portion is too high. 

Even though a v-neck will be more flattering, the general consensus is to stick with the scooped neck and lower it a couple more inches. I did a quick photoshop of the neckline from Simplicity 2648 and the NL pattern and I don't think it looks as good as the rounded one.

 

Black and white/cream:  This is so happening!

Solid Back:  Melody made a good point about sitting in something and having it show with a white/cream back.  A solid black back leaves all of the interest in the front and will definitely be more slimming.

Double knit:  This last minute consideration seems to be the best and most popular suggestion.  I hadn't even thought of it until I looked at the details of the inspiration dress.  The pattern calls for an invisible zipper, though I don't like using them in knits. I'll give it a try and see what happens.

Thank you all again for the advice!  Now comes the task of making this work!  

L

Opinions Please!

Last week, I started making muslins of dresses for my upcoming 20-year high school reunion scheduled for the beginning of August.  The two events that I'm considering are the after-five casual mixer and black-tie dinner.  First I'd like to get your thoughts on the mixer dress.

Since the mixer is casual, a cocktail dress is the way to go.  I've been reading reviews and studying styles for a few weeks and decided that I want to jump on the peplum bandwagon.  I made muslins of Simplicity 1650 and New Look 6124 and right now view D of the New Look pattern is winning.  Here's why:

(Dorothy Perkins black illusion peplum dress, polyester spandex, $79)

There are some small differences between the inspiration dress and pattern.  First, the dress appears to have shoulder princess seams and a lengthwise opening at the top.  Second, the peplum extends completely around the waist.  

Question #1:  Should I attempt to copy the neckline?

The neckline on the NL pattern is choke-worthy and with a full bust, it look like I have a uni-boob.  Lowering and color-blocking the neckline area might reduce that effect.  BUT...there's always a 'but'...the NL pattern doesn't have shoulder princess seams and I don't think this is going to look right without them.

If I don't end up copying the neckline, then I will try to swap out the center front for a v-neck.  I made Simplicity 2648 three years ago and think this style does a better job at flattering my upper half.

Now I could just stick a peplum on this Simplicity pattern and be done with it.  The thing is this dress is too big in many places and the back doesn't have princess seams.  I could convert the darts to princess seams, but that still doesn't resolve the fitting issue.

Questions #2:  Should I stick with white/cream center or go with another color?

I intend to make the dress out of silk cotton satin (same fabric as in the black & teal).  I really like the white/cream center, but I don't know if my local non-JoAnn's has any.  Fabric.com seems to have quite a bit, but I've heard they're having shipping problems and I don't want to wait until the last minute to finish this dress.  Plus, I don't know how slimming the white/cream will be.  Here are my other color-blocking choices:

 

Question #3:  Should the back be solid or color-blocked?

I'm on the fence with this one.  Instinct tells me to do a solid back; a color-blocked back might be too much.

Question #4:  Should I make this in a knit?

The inspiration dress is made of polyester spandex - probably a double knit.  I didn't think of that until this morning.  The fit will be much closer and I'll have to size down my FBA.  

That's all the questions I have for now.  I really appreciate your thoughts and comments!

L