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Royal Canadian Air Force Mess Dress
Mess Dress uniform made for my husband, an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Single breasted jacket with linked buttons, satin shawl collar, fully lined with two vertical inside pockets. High-waisted pleated trousers with side pockets and braid at side seams. The shirt, bowtie and RCAF tartan cummerbund were purchased. My dress is navy blue crepe-back satin. Top is Vogue 8494, skirt is Burda 8327. The satin (shiny) side of the fabric was used on the inside so it could show on the flounce of the skirt. Photo taken New Year's Eve 2011 at a ballroom dance in Denver.
Canadian Air Force Mess Dress - Sergeant
Canadian Air Force Mess Dress uniform made for a female sergeant. Fully lined, below-waist jacket, single breasted with button link closure, made from tropical wool, satin lapels and collar, with wool felt undercollar. Long, a-line skirt, lined to the knee, with side slits edged with braid. The uniform is not the same size as the dress form, so it does not drape properly in this picture.
Canadian Air Force Mess Dress - Corporal
Female Canadian Air Force Mess Dress uniform made for a young corporal. Fully lined, below-waist jacket, single breasted with button link closure, made from tropical wool, satin lapels and collar, with wool felt undercollar. Long, a-line skirt, lined to the knee, with side slits edged with braid. The uniform is not the same size as the dress form, so it does not drape properly in this picture.
Peacock Evening Gown
Crepe-back satin evening gown, fully lined, inspired by Voge 8076, but incorporates several changes. The skirt is cut on the straight grain instead of the bias, with darts added in front and back for shaping. The bodice is a princess-seamed sweetheart neck design. A godet was sewn into each side seam and back seam, similar to the original pattern. The godets are much larger than the picture indicates, making the skirt flare with movement. The lining also has godets to add a little more swish to the hemline.
Peacock Evening Gown
Back view showing the godets.
Two-tone Evening Gown (Front)
Simplicity 2801 evening gown in black and cream crepe-back satin. The bodice was backed with a nude-colored lining to eliminate seam allowance show-through.
Two-tone Evening Gown
Close up of bodice.
Two-tone Evening Gown
Back view. A cream colored zipper was installed with the last 7 inches colored black with a permanent marker to match the skirt. After taking this photo and seeing the ripples, the zipper was re-installed properly.
Red Semi-formal Dress, June 2010
Red crepe-back satin dress, below mid-calf, fitted bodice and gored, flared skirt. Hem band and bodice are satin side of fabric, skirt is crepe side. Fully lined. Drafted using Pattern Master Boutique initially, and then refined on my dress form.
Honeymoon dress, June 2009
Crepe-back satin dress made for my honeymoon, picture taken on a Princess Cruise formal night. Bodice is Vogue 8413, skirt is Vogue 8494.
Black dance skirt, Dec. 2008
Crepe-back satin skirt (McCall's 4717), 8 gores with 8 godets and waistband cut from satin side of fabric. Twirls out fabulously on the dance floor. Stretch velvet top (Simplicity 7818), shortened from a dress, sleeves lengthened to 3/4. Front neck band and sleeve hems are accented with glass seed beads.
Stretch velvet top, Dec. 2008
Close-up of top showing beading detail.
Vogue 8494, Oct. 2008
Black crepe-back satin evening gown, with bodice princess seams, and beading detail on V-neck.
Vogue 8494 detail
Detail of beading at V-neck, silver bugle beads and glass seed beads
Blue dress, 2008
Close up of bodice beadwork. Silver bugle beads and glass seed beads hand sewn in parallel rows.
Blue dress, 2008
Midnight blue crepe-back satin evening gown, gored and flared skirt, fully lined. Simplicity Project Runway 3501.
Navy blue dress, 2011
Navy blue crepe-back satin evening gown. Top is Vogue 8494, skirt is Burda 8327. The satin (shiny) side of the fabric was used on the inside so it could show on the flounce of the skirt.
Green dance dress, 2010
Green crepe-back satin dance dress. Top is Vogue 8413, sleeveless, draped-neck bodice cut on the bias. Skirt is McCall's 4717, 8 gores (crepe side of fabric) and 8 godets (satin side of fabric).
Faux sable coat, 1990's
Faux sable coat, lower calf length, with bias shawl collar and cuffs. Fully lined, with velvet in-seam pockets.
Evening and Formalwear
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