I needed a cover-up for a wedding I was attending in Seattle. My nephew was getting married in an outdoor setting (which turned out to be beautiful) and then holding the reception in a restaurant on the water (also beautiful). But they couple said "cocktail attire," which is not a concept I have any experience with. Googling around the Internets and asking a coworker led me to the conclusion that a sleeveless stretch lace cotton dress I already owned would work just fine, but I needed shoes and a cover-up to go along since the reception would be indoors and thus air-conditioned and cold, which I could not handle. I found some silver low-heeled sandals online, perfect for the occasion although surely never to be worn again, so I bought them (oops, but did not model them in the picture below).
Now I had to figure out the cover-up. Surely, I could just make some simple jacket in a nice sequined fabric. I wanted purple, but could find only black at Joann's. So I bought it and went in search of a pattern. I searched my stash...nothing quite right. I bought a new pattern--I'm not sure it was even on sale, which hurts--thinking it might work. Butterick 5529:
Now I had to figure out the cover-up. Surely, I could just make some simple jacket in a nice sequined fabric. I wanted purple, but could find only black at Joann's. So I bought it and went in search of a pattern. I searched my stash...nothing quite right. I bought a new pattern--I'm not sure it was even on sale, which hurts--thinking it might work. Butterick 5529:
I knew it was a risky bet. It could look okay or it could look hideous. I searched to see who else had made it. The examples weren't too bad but nothing quite like what I had in mind. But then I saw this version:
Now the fabric was very different, but the DRESS was nearly identical to mine and so I was swayed to at least make a muslin. It was hideous. I made view C. It wouldn't stay seated on my shoulders and flopped around in a shapeless habit.
So I went searching for a new pattern. I wanted close-fitting sleeves and a simple but not shapeless body. I had wanted Blackwood anyway for some sweaters, but I hadn't bought it yet as I am trying to be good about buying anything until my fabric stash is reduced in volume and the patterns already purchased have been opened and tried. But as I was in need of a pattern for a specific project and an actual occasion, I was absolved of any responsibility or guilt and I went ahead and bought it. There was no time by this point to make a muslin. I made the shorter version but without the band. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. It was comfortable and did the trick. It dressed up my outfit and I certainly felt I was in cocktail attire. The sequins on the sleeves did stick to those on the body on occasion, but it was not too bad. It kept me warm! I will definitely use the Blackwood for a sweater.
So I went searching for a new pattern. I wanted close-fitting sleeves and a simple but not shapeless body. I had wanted Blackwood anyway for some sweaters, but I hadn't bought it yet as I am trying to be good about buying anything until my fabric stash is reduced in volume and the patterns already purchased have been opened and tried. But as I was in need of a pattern for a specific project and an actual occasion, I was absolved of any responsibility or guilt and I went ahead and bought it. There was no time by this point to make a muslin. I made the shorter version but without the band. It turned out to be exactly what I wanted. It was comfortable and did the trick. It dressed up my outfit and I certainly felt I was in cocktail attire. The sequins on the sleeves did stick to those on the body on occasion, but it was not too bad. It kept me warm! I will definitely use the Blackwood for a sweater.
I see the bottom hem is a mess. Oh well. This will probably join the silver sandals as a one-time wear. If I do have occasion to wear it again, I will revisit the hem.
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