The White Bow Dress!

12:00 PM

DIY White Bow Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
Once again, I had on the tv and glanced up at the screen and it was sewing kismet! There was a dress that I had to have!
Hilary on The Young & The Restless in Black Halo Mystic Bow Dress
Hilary on The Young & The Restless (she's pregnant in real life) was wearing this striking pink dress with bows on it and I had to know more. My favorite site for locating wardrobe from my favorite tv shows, never lets me down.
Black Halo Mystic Bow Dress
DIY White Bow Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
To make my dress happen, I simply looked at the lines of the designer dress. The main thing: princess seams with no waist seam. So, I knew I'd be starting off with Vogue 1532. For the neckline, I went with a pattern I'd already used prior -- McCall's 7728.
DIY White Bow Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
First thing first, I had to marry the two patterns and picking fabric. My fabric is from my Spring/Summer Fine Fabrics Haul. It's an ivory rayon/viscose crepe.
DIY White Bow Dress Pattern - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
For the center front, I cut it on the fold eliminating the center front seam.
DIY White Bow Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
I left the back like Vogue 1532, well... I lowered it by 2", instead of having a v-back like my inspo dress. I made bias cut straps for the dress as well.
DIY White Bow Dress - Gusset Detail - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
To create the bow detail, I left the seam on one side open at the upper thigh. I spread open the seam so that it would hang apart and sewn in an inset or gusset... whichever you want to call it.
DIY White Bow Dress - Gusset Detail - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
Here is the inside. Now, I haven't seen the inspo dress in person. This is just how I feel things should go. And as you can see from the results, it works.
DIY White Bow Dress - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
I sewed the bows the same you would sew a fabric belt and hand stitched them on.
DIY White Bow Dress Zipper Detail - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
I installed an invisible zipper.
DIY White Bow Dress Lining - Erica Bunker DIY Style!
The dress is fully-lined and I used a nude lining. My lining fabric is Donna Karan Warm Beige Italian Stretch Silk Georgette. My sewing tip: Never skip the understitching. It keeps your lining from rolling forward. I've been noticing lately that a lot of people skip that step and *think* that they can just press and go... nope. There's my way -- there's your way -- and there's the RIGHT WAY.
I finished it off with a 2" deep machine-sewn blind hem. So, that's it. I hope I didn't leave off any details. I hope you all find posts like these inspiring to know that you never have to sew a pattern straight from the envelope -- unless you want to. You can take pieces, add new parts and adjust anyway that you like!


You Might Also Like

24 comments

  1. great post! i really enjoy seeing how you adapted your inspiration to fit your own preferences. and it is a kickass dress.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post. Makes me want to try more pattern hacking. Your dress is so beautiful, even the inside is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That dress is so perfectly you and yes never ever skip the understitching. Your finish on this garment is superb. Hats off to you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. fabulous dress and adore the hang of your fabric. perfect weight and so right about the understitching - I think its these details where the home sew-er has the advantage on some store bought.....incredibly glamorous as always

    ReplyDelete
  5. Perfection. On and off of you. You look fantastic in this dress. Thank you for the skill share.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like how you figured out the dress pattern. Not sure where you would wear the dress. Not in my neighborhood. Maybe in a city's night club. Happy Creating.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plenty to do in Birmingham! Thanks Donna!

      Delete
  7. Wow! Great hack and such a lovely, upscale dress. And so beautifully sewn I swear you could wear it inside-out.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely gorgeous! I love that bow accent! Very Chic!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hola erika muy prolijo tu vetido. Muy lindo por dentro y por fuera. Ya lo estare haciendo para el verano en Argentina. Ahora esta haciendo mucho mucho frio. Un abrazo desde Buenos Aires

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, impressive sew! Not to mention how hot you look, congrats on both counts!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is stunning!! New sewer here - when you mashup 2 patterns, do you lay one down and trace it, then the other on top, then grade them together? I've been thinking about altering some patterns I have for nursing access but am scared to attempt the alterations! LOVE your blog, btw!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That’s exactly how you do it! Thanks Sonia!

      Delete

Popular Posts