The “Coventry Blithe Fitted Lace” Dress
Fabric: Cotton Blend Broadcloth Navy, Stretch Navy/Cream Lace and Navy Cotton Lining
Pattern: New Look 6910, plus self drafted sleeves
Year: 2010
Notions : Cream Piping, 22″ zipper and hook & eye closure
Time to complete: 16 Hours
First Worn: January 14, 2012
Wear Again: Absolutely
Total Price: $41
Meet Elna, she joined our family a year and half ago when my machine of 27 years died. The sales person truly explained all the bells and whistle but I have learn to appreciate them with every new garment I made.
I did a traditional hemming on the broad cloth material for the sleeves and dress bottom. On the lace I wanted to keep the scallop edge so I used 2 features on the machine, needle down/up (you can choice whether the needle stays up or down when you take the foot off the petal and second a sew in place needle position by hit the tack button (so the next time you push the petal it sews in place). As I sewed the 2 layers of fabric together I used these two feature to sew along the edge and at very peak of the scallop I tacked. I hand tacked the large flowers throughout the garment pieces because I had never layered two fabrics together and worried that the lace fabric would sag over time.
This pattern came with a cap sleeve and bodice lining but I only lined the bodice, in the past when I have lined sleeves it has felt restrictive and I like to use cotton lining which is not slippery. This is my first time drafting a pattern piece, so i decided to insert the sleeve by hand at the end, so I could adjust if it didn’ fit correctly and avoid any accidental gathering.
This is Elna’s older sister, Serger. She is my first serger and I bought her prior to my old machine departure. I decided when I got back into sewing I wanted to make garment that were as finished on the inside. It’s been a learning curve as to when to serge as you are constructing the garment. So all the edges are finished on the inside of the garment.
I mention all this because it would explained why it took me so long to finish this project. I got up Saturday morning 7 am and. Sewed until it was done. My tunnel vision really kicked in and the day was over before I new it. In the end I love the piece and was really excited to wear it to work on Monday.
P.S. I saw on Gertie’s sewing blog how she had a wrist pin cushion and made my own when they wanted $9 for one in the trim store. I bought a small pin cushion for $3 and sewed my own elastic band. Inspired by Veronica’s thrifty ways.
Front View 2
A little different then the original look, but I wanted a softer feel on the arms.
The shoes really finish off the look.
Back View
The lace fabric was 60 inches wide, this allowed me to match up the lace pattern, even with the pleats both front and back.
- BackView 2
Neck Line Piping Detail
Sleeve Detail
Wow, what lovely details on this dress!
Hi Erin,
Thank you for the comments. I was a little scared to sew lace but this challenge really push find a way to use the edging.
Beautiful! I have making a lace dress on my list but have not gotten brave enough yet. I’m loving yours so much though.
Hi Ejegmam,
Thank you. Sewing the lace was easier then I thought it would be. When you sew the structure together the lace is the inside layer.
Beautiful! The cut and color of the lace is just superb.
Hi Clarissa,
Thank you for the kind words, I really enjoyed working on the details of the dress.
Gorgeous dress – love the hem and sleeve edges.
Thank you Marguerite, I love that detail too.
So pretty! You did a beautiful job, and this dress looks fabulous on you!
Thank you Sheri. I couldn’t wait to wear it to work.
It looks fantastic! I adore the lace and those scalloped edges are divine – the piping is just perfect! Well done!
Thank you for the piping compliment. I loved the piping you did on the Ceylon Dress.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love lace anything and this dress is no exception. Great work!
Yes, I’ll be using lace again. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be to sew with. By the way I pulled my shoes out of storage after seeing your purple bow shoes. It was my styling inspiration. Good luck with the next challenge.
Thanks Kat. I will be sewing with lace again. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I paired my shoes off seeing your lavender bow shoes!
Hi Kat, yes I’ll be sewing with lace again. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I paired my shoes with this outfit based on your lavender bow shoes.
Thank you StephC. I really appreciate the positive feedback. Sew Weekly has such a great vibe. I get inspired seeing all the beautiful work. Happy sewing.
Sorry Kat, I tried posting several times and the system kept crashing.
Gorgeous! Looks fantastic on you!
Thank you for the positive feedback.
That’s really stunning! It is very elegant and the shoes are just right.
Thank you Jen. I got the idea to pair the shoes from Meg (she posted a beautiful picture of Lavendar Bow shoes).
You look smashing in your dress. Wow! This goes in my “inspiration” file!
Thank you StephC. I really appreciate the positive feedback. Sew Weekly has such a great vibe. I get inspired seeing all the beautiful work. Happy sewing.
That’s a beautiful lace dress! Gorgeous!
What’s Up Cupcake! Thank you so much.
Wow–you did such a beautiful job with the lace! I like your version even better than the inspiration.
Thank you Z.
Lovely! Gorgeous! Well done!
Thank you Judy. I’m so excited to start the next challenge.
I love the scalloped edge. Nice work.
Just gorgeous, everything is in it’s place and looks just perfect well done I say.
Thank you Kazz. I’m an admire of your work. Can’t wait to see your MTL.
Beautiful, beautiful dress! The lace makes it so elegant and blue is a wonderful hue on you.
Thank you Sertyan, I really liked your double collar dress. Good luck with the next challenge.
Thank you Judy.
Soooo pretty and sophisticated! You make lace look easy!
Hi Cheryl, thank you. I really loved your green corduroy shorts. That’s a fabric I always feel challenged to work with. Hey, maybe that a good theme, fabrics with naps. Happy Sewing.
Thank you Barbara.
Fantastic! The scalloped edges are just lovely!
Love this lace and how perfectly the scallop edge works!
Thank you Cindy.
Thank you Jennifer, looking forward to the next challenge. I really like the positive vibe of everyone involve. This really is turning out to be a lot fun.
Beautiful Lace, I really love the dress!
Thanks Kathy. Glad you liked it. I really am enjoying sewing and can’t wait to get going on the assignment.
Cool I know nothing at all about sewing but the dress looks very pretty on you.I am sure it was difficult to make and you mastered it.
Thanks Carrol. It’s definately brings me to my happy place.
Krista, you look beautiful. I love the dress. I never knew you could sew. Where have I been? Gram would have loved it I think.
Oh, thanks Jenny. Yes, I learned a lot from Gram. I think about here very time I pick up my scissors.