Political Fashion

Barb · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: Political Fashion

Well, everyone's talking about the dress Michelle Obama wore on The View. It's an adorable black and white cotton sateen stretch from Donna Ricco. It's a scoop-neck, sleeveless dress with contrast bands at a high waist with a charming square back--great for summer! She bought it off the rack at White House/Black Market. If you missed it, click here.

You can duplicate that look if you have some or our past all over floral cottons--I'm thinking particularly of all of you who purchased Melany recently. The colors are different (navy and tan) but the look would be very similar. Or you can put your own stamp on it by using other prints. Here are some current suggestions from our web store.
Arpeggio
Sidney
SOBE II

As far as the pattern goes, I haven't found one yet, but when I have time I'll post a suggestion or two. Anyone have a favorite pattern that would work for this look?
It's a simple silhouette to draft for those who have that skill.

Lois · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

Barb - You are right - everyone is talking about that dress!! It was such a simple look with big impact. A lesson to us all that our projects do not have to be complicated to be interesting and have the WOW factor. I wonder if Simplicity will come out with a pattern similar to Mrs. Obama's dress. They seem to keep current with Project Runway designs. Let's keep our eyes open for that!

Barb - your fabric recommendations are perfect. My fav is Arpeggio - what a smashing dress that would make.

I saw the following article about the designer for some of Michelle Obama's campaign garments. The designer also creates clothing for Oprah. I found the article very interesting - how very exciting for the designer to have such notoriety.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB121400121295793087-lMyQjAxMDI4MTI0MTAyMDExWj.html

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 72

Barb, you are dead on Smile

Everybody is talking about the dress. I love Sidney fabric from your choices. I rarely wear black and white combination (summer complexion), and a hint of blue is very nice.

What do you think of Velocity fabric for this dress? I don't remember the hand of it.

As far as the pattern, I have a few Burdas that I think I can tinker to make this dress. I wonder if I start with a close fitting sleeveless sheath dress pattern. Cut off the top part of the back. Add length to the front pieces for straps. Better yet, I should tape cut-off back piece to the front piece at the shoulder seams and then draw back straps from shoulder down the back. That should keep the grain-line true for back straps and help them lay nice and flat over the shoulders. I'd probably have to use some light belting in the straps to keep them from stretching though, because they'll be on a slight bias. We should do a sew-along. This would be a fun project.

Barb · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:23 am Post subject:

Nata
Some great ideas...
Is anyone else interested in this project?? Let us know.

Velocity is a rayon crepe so it will have a lot more fluidity than the cotton sateen/spandex. I do think it would work for a similar look, but it would be much softer. You might need to stabilize the bodice area to keep the look crisp.

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 72

Thank you, Barb. I don’t want to bother stabilizing crepe for this style. I didn’t have a swatch with me and couldn’t remember the hand of it. I agree that cotton sateen (or light weight twill, or pique etc.) would work so much better for this dress.

Now, I wish I could add sleeves to it because I can’t wear sleeveless to work. I could wear a light summer jacket over it and it’ll probably still look good.

I got to hire somebody to sew for me  I used to have a seamstress, because I couldn’t find time to sew. But it’s never as well made or fit as when I do it for myself. And I would be missing on all the fun playing with the fabric.

Colleen · Sawyer Brook Staff Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

This is the link to the Donna Ricco site with "The Dress"
http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=428

It really is a summer cutie, and doesn't look too difficult either! I really like the ribbon cross striping

Nata · Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 72

I looked closer to the pictures of the dress. I am overthinking it. Extending the shoulder into straps is all I would do. They are thin enough and will lay flat over shoulders when cut straight.

This would be a fun and simple project to make as sew along as well. I'd do it if somedy else joins me.