DIY - The Purple Lantern-Sleeve Dress!

9:30 PM

For over a year, I've been lusting after Roksanda Ilincic Margot Lantern Dress.  It's in my Pinterest and I've also kept pictures of it on my hard drive, in all of the beautiful jeweltones and sherbet hues.  And since I had a purple wool gabardine in my stash, purple it is!

Inspiration:

This dress is completely self-drafted.  Trust me when I say, if there had been anything similar I would've saved myself a lot of work!
First, I started with the pattern pieces from this dress.  The sleeves were already perfect and were the least of my concerns.  I first had to figure the right amount of ease to create the off-centered neckline pleats.  And I used the same method to create the ones at the waist.  Which was pretty much much measuring, slicing and spreading.  
And based on my inspiration garment, for the back -- they used pleats on the bodice and skirt instead of darts.  I initially didn't know how I'd feel about this detail, but I went for it.  Personally, I prefer the smoother look of darts, but you never know until you try it.  And the inspiration garment has an exposed zipper that runs from neckline to hemline.  I wasn't sure how this dress was going to turn out and even if I was going to like it.  So I decided to just omit that detail from the original -- as much as I love an exposed zipper!
I fully lined the dress with a matching purple Ambiance bemberg lining.  And I added a 1 1/4" hem at the knee.  The sleeve is lined up until the lantern part.  I thought it would drape better without being lined.  And I finished the sleeves with 5/8" hem.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.  Since I'm self-educating myself on drafting, I thought this was a great project with cool details to teach myself how to do.

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59 comments

  1. This is a good looking dress!! I love it and the color looks so pretty on you!!...great job on all the labor too! :)

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  2. This is beyond gorgeous! I wish you were my friend and I could convince you to make me one!

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  3. Эрика,очень красивое платье и замечательный образ!

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  4. Woow!! You look amazing!! :))

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  5. WOW!!! Wonderful work! This colour, the pattern... you look gorgeous! The hard work pays off!
    Greetings from Vanessa

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  6. You look wonderful. I think you should do a tutorial on the sleeves. Simply Perfection!!!!

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  7. man i love a fancy sleeve on you!

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  8. girl you did the bomb job on this dress!! Looks beautiful!!!

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  9. Gorgeous!! I think you nailed your inspiration! Love the dramatic sleeve.

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  10. I've been waiting a while to see this dress on you since you sneak peeked it on Instagram. It is lovely! And you know how much I love Roksanda's garments too!

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  11. all I can say is wow! I cannot believe u drafted this pattern. well it's obvious all your hard work has paid off. awesome! Did u say u were learning drafting? Looks like you're a pro at it. great job!

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    1. When the process feels more organic and I no longer want to cry (LOL), then I'll say I'm a pro! Thanks Rx for Quilting!

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  12. So elegant and pretty. Great color choice as well.

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  13. You are definitely a pro. I love the color, the style and the fit. Love it all. Especially on you.

    LoveofCuteness

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  14. Waaay better then gaga's!! Classic!!!

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    Replies
    1. Maybe a big giant bow on the head would've set the look off? LOL Thanks Carol!

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  15. This is beautiful! Can't wait to see more self drafting from you! LOL at the 'giant bow' comment...now you have me trying to picture it with the dress ;-)

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  16. Anonymous5:34 PM

    Ooh, what a fun dress! :)

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  17. Your dress looks lovely. And as someone who drafts all my patterns (Never seen a commercial pattern before...not common place where I come from) I give you kudos. I usually get nervous when trying a new design as it usually could go either ways. Did I mention I love your blog? I sure do

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    1. Thanks Preye! I know the feeling of being nervous. That's what took me so long to tackle this design.

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  18. WoW, Erica! This dress is lovely and the color is gorgeous. Great job on this one your hard work paid off! I loved this dress when I first saw it.

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  19. That color is so pretty on you!

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  20. Very pretty! I love this color on you.

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  21. Well done indeed. You look amazing and the pattern drafting was a success by the look of it.

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  22. You totally nailed this look! I love it.

    Kate from Clear the Way

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  23. Very nice!!! Good eye of inspiration!

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  24. AMAZING!! I just love the pleats, the sleeves, and of course, the gorgeous jewel tone!! Another stunning outfit!!!

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  25. Great dress. Love the color.

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  26. Beautiful dress in great color.

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  27. Anonymous2:30 PM

    Wow! Really great dress! And the colour is great on you!
    Christine

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  28. Gorgeous dress. Roksanda Ilincic designs are always so timeless. Your dress proves that they are great inspiration as well. Enjoy wearing it - you look fab! Rachel

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  29. I love this dress, and your style ! I love the concept of your blog very nice. I decide to follow you on bloglovin':) xo from france

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  30. Absolutely stunning dress, impressive sewmanship! Just found your blog while searching for this dress, hoping to improvise a pattern and make an affordable version for myself, like you. Love the color on you, you have a new follower!

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