Lace and Ruffles and Bows, Oh, My!

Sometimes, when I finish a project, I wonder what I was thinking when I thought this would be something I would wear. Then again, sometimes the strangest garments turn into basics in my wardrobe.

I tried this dress on with virtually everything I own, and I think it looks best with regular black trousers and a black tank top underneath. With leggings, it looks too sexy. With a long black skirt, too bulky. Short black skirt, just wrong. Black trousers, just right. So I’ll start out wearing it with the black trousers.

The pattern I used was Vogue 1255. I made a few changes to accommodate the lace. I cut the cuffs in a single layer so I could cut around the lace motifs. I cut the ruffles on the straight grain rather than the bias (as the pattern specifies) because the lace won’t fray. I used pinking shears to cut the ruffles. I did not have quite enough fabric (story of my life), so I cut some of the ruffles out of cotton tulle in a similar color to the lace.

The pattern includes a separate piece at the hem. I cut the selvedge the width of the piece then clipped and curved it to fit the piece, so the hem is the selvedge. If this makes no sense, please look at the photos and it might be clearer.

Neckline detail. I cut the ruffles with pinking shears.

Hem detail. I took the selvedge and clipped and curved it to make it conform to the shape of the hem.

Cuff detail. I cut the cuff in a single layer and cut around the motifs.

Back hem

bow-shaped metal buttons

Back ruffle detail

side view

back view

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