Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
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Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

Mad Men SAL.

4/15/2013

32 Comments

 
Hello, Betty! Well, Michelle, actually, but I feel like a Betty in my MadMen SAL dress.
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I chose Betty Draper, circa season one, as my inspiration- same as last year. Except, this year, I didn't single out a dress to use as the basis for my creation.
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Instead, I used some elements of early Betty and applied them to my project: florals, pastels, youthful, full skirts, etc...
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Using my fabric stash as a start point, I found a piece of vintage cotton/cotton blend measuring slightly over three yards.
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As I scrolled through my pattern boards, it seemed apparent to me that the vintage floral fabric and Simplicity 2105 were begging to be together.
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The pattern required 5 yards of fabric, but, I felt certain my standard modifications would help me skate by with the 3ish yards that I had. I adjusted my skirt pieces, removing seven inches from the total length. I took 3/4 inch from the bodice length. Then, I crossed my fingers and laid the pieces on my fabric.
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But, it wasn't gonna work. I could either fit four skirt panels and no bodice, or two skirt panels, bodice, with about a yard to spare.
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By that point, I had my heart set on sewing this combination. I decided to stay the course and halve the skirt. Each skirt panel measures  approximately 35 inches across, giving me 70 inches of material to gather into a 28 inch waist. That's still a fairly substantial skirt. 
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The skirts on dresses from the 50s are insanely full. I think the forced modification, in combination with the shorter skirt length, makes the dress much more contemporary looking and wearable, actually. That's a plus. 
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The pattern incorporates a self-faced bodice lining, and I added I lining to the skirt. The fabric isn't sheer, but in the right light, it's a bit transparent and not worth the associated risk. 
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My poor pattern placement creates enough scandal for me without adding a see-through skirt. Although, I don't think the boobie bouquets are as overtly crude as I feared they might be. 
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The inside of this dress is tidy. All the seams are French seams. (When I line a dress, I press all the opposing seams in opposite directions so they lay nice and flat on top of each other). I turned under an inch on my hems before securing them, so the raw edges are hidden away. The lining hem is machine stitched, and I did my outer skirt by hand.  I also used a French seam at the waist join, in a similar way in which you would do a sleeve.  My closure is an invisible zip at the side.  Overall, the fit is pretty good.  I do feel I need some sort of adjustment between the shoulder to eliminate the small amount of gap there.  Otherwise, I'm satisfied with it. 
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Before I sign-off, today is the 15th! That means, it's time for a giveaway! This month, you can win $25 to Etsy to use towards sewing patterns, yarn, fabric, or anything else your heart desires. This one is open to blog followers only. To enter, let me know how you follow TresBienEnsemble in your comment. Winner will be selected at random and announced on April 30.  
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Thanks a squillion to our lovely SAL hostess, Ms. Bobbin for organizing another fun-filled challenge! Be sure to hop over to Julia's blog next week to see the other Mad Men sewer project. Au revoir!
32 Comments
Jazz link
4/15/2013 02:18:19 am

Amazing dress! And the photoshoot is awesome :)

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Lisa link
4/15/2013 02:18:47 am

This turned out lovely! Glad you stuck with the fabric, it is so pretty.

As for following you, I've got all the major bases covered...Facebook, Twitter, Feedly, and I originally found your blog on Ravelry.

Oh, and I think I've said this before, but just in case: I am NOT a stalker... :D

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Sue link
4/15/2013 02:48:41 am

As usual a triumph, very pretty

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Gail link
4/15/2013 02:55:16 am

Your dress is adorable! I'm going to have to put that pattern on my list of patterns to hunt down - super cute!

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Renee Anne link
4/15/2013 03:06:15 am

I'm not a sewer so the giveaway isn't going to do much for me. But, seriously, HOW CUTE ARE YOU?! I'm kind of jealous, really. You can make anything look adorable. I make something adorable, put it on, and I look like poo :(

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Michele A. link
4/15/2013 03:31:32 am

Sooooo cute!!! Love the design and your color/fabric selection for this little number!

As for following ya', you're on my blogroll on my blog so I simply check everyday from my site. Now that I know that you're on Facebook I'll be adding that super soon!

Do you do Instagram?

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Joyatee link
4/15/2013 05:27:47 am

This dress is so lovely! The color is fantastic on you. I love that your shoes are a perfect match, too.

As for the giveaway, even though I follow your blog (and most every other way possible), I don't need to be entered for this giveaway because I won last month. Other people can have a chance at your amazing generosity. I just wanted to stop by to let you know you look wonderful (boobie bouquets and all--though they aren't that noticeable)!

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Marie link
4/15/2013 06:29:23 am

I almost guffawed my cup of tea at the laptop at "boobie bouquets". I now have tea coming out my nose. Thanks for the giggle.

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Nat @ Made in Homec link
4/15/2013 06:48:20 am

I love the dress, the back is absolutely beautiful! You did a great job. And thanks for the giveaway! I follow on Facebook and bloglovin'

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Stephanie link
4/15/2013 07:17:17 am

Love your Betty Draper dress! It looks so light and summery :) and the photos as usual are gorgeous

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kirsti(k)nits link
4/15/2013 07:25:38 am

Lovely dress! I agree with you about the effect of the skirt modification. It's pretty and wearable and you don't need to worry about hauling around miles of skirt when it's hot out.

I follow your blog through Ravelry, not sure whether that counts. :)

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katiemetzroth link
4/15/2013 07:32:37 am

love the shoes with that dress. I continue to be impressed with your sewing! I was just watching Mad Men last night!....I didn't notice the bouquets right away....until you mentioned pattern placement and I went looking for the issue. I did some hand quilting this weekend (backing a knit blankie).....I'm REALLY slow with a needle and thread!.........I follow you via google reader and no, I dont have a plan for what I'll do when it is gone. :)

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Lornabecky link
4/15/2013 08:26:31 am

Wow this dress is beautiful, and the photos are amazing too!

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Pumpkin link
4/15/2013 09:06:56 am

I actually didn't notice the more "scandalous" aspect of the dress until you pointed it out, maybe I'm just really fashion blind, but I don't think many people will notice it, they'll be looking at other aspects of the dress. You definitely look very Betty too! I agree with making the skirt differently, it looks perfect.

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Jennifer link
4/15/2013 09:47:23 am

boobie bouquets! i just died laughing! this dress is gorgeous, and looks amazing on you! the floral fabric really does match the pattern perfectly.

right now I read you through google reader and Ravelry - and I love every post!

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Chris
4/15/2013 10:13:48 am

Love it!!! Especially the blue solid at the neck.

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florapie
4/15/2013 11:27:38 am

My 3 year old daughter says your dress "is fun. It have a fun pattern!"

I follow you through my Ravelry friends feed since I don't know how to use any other blog feeds-perhaps it's time for me to move in to the 21st century :)

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Jennifer Lauren link
4/15/2013 01:10:02 pm

This is so so pretty! I have a similar pattern that I plan to make up soon, it's on my list :)

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the quirky peach link
4/15/2013 01:37:25 pm

This is a beautiful "Betty" dress - I'm also doing an "inspired by" dress instead of a direct copy, but I think it's fun! And a little more wearable for every day :)

Also, I would love to be entered in the giveaway - I follow your blog on bloglovin'!

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Rachel link
4/15/2013 02:44:02 pm

Your dress is lovely. I follow your blog with bloglovin :)

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Elisabeth Andree link
4/15/2013 06:52:26 pm

Lovely dress, the back neckline is a pretty detail.

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T. Wimes
4/15/2013 08:06:38 pm

I follow on bloglovin. Love the neckline on this dress.

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PendleStitches link
4/15/2013 09:07:35 pm

The "boobie bouquets" are not obvious. I didn't spy them until I'd stopped giggling at the terminology! And I do think the adjusted skirt is fabulous. I actually think it would have overwhelmed the dress at the full size.
I currently follow through the doomed Google Reader (sigh!), but will be moving to Bloglovin' or Feedly...whichever one I decide I dislike the least!

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Jenn link
4/15/2013 10:12:50 pm

The dress is adorable - you've hit the right blend of retro and modern with the modifications you made to the pattern. I didn't even notice the boob bouquets until you pointed them out, so they're not that obvious. :)

I follow you via Bloglovin'.

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Nadia W link
4/16/2013 03:51:29 am

Love the blue's in your dress. Your shoes are fantastic as well!

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Sabrina
4/16/2013 08:25:42 am

I love your blog! I follow you using Bloglovin'

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Ruth link
4/17/2013 01:32:42 am

Thank you for visiting my blog and wow what an amazing dress, I love the cotton fabric, so pretty and check out the shoes !

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Spinster Beth link
4/17/2013 07:40:36 am

I'm not familiar with Mad Men, but that dress looks perfect for Spring!

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kristieinbc link
4/22/2013 02:51:43 am

I love your new dress! When I see you sewing projects it always makes me wish I knew how to sew something more complicated than pajama bottoms. :-)

I just started following you on Facebook, but I have been reading and enjoying your blog for a long time now.

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Sew2pro link
4/23/2013 02:18:55 am

Well done: the back is divine!

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Shelley link
4/23/2013 07:49:28 am

Adorable dress. Really perfect. The back neckline is so cool. I just discovered you via mabelmakes, and now follow you on Bloglovin.

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Sew Exhausted link
4/26/2013 12:20:56 am

Oh this is so so pretty... and I love the adjustments you made to the skirt to make it a little more wearable for "today!" I will remember that when I finally start working through my full skirted 50's patterns. I really love that time period because- well- the ladies were ladies! And so feminine! You definitely look the part in this sweet dress! ... I follow you on Blog Lovin and Twitter... :)

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