Dresses

Leslie Caron wannabe

almond rock american in paris burda dress

I love a good musical, especially a Gene Kelly musical. An American In Paris is completely fabulous.

When I saw Burda’s Viva La Diva spread in issue 11/2014 I fell hard for the AIP inspired dress. This collection featured iconic gowns from favourite films. The Eva Green Casino Royale gown and Marilyn Monroe Gentlemen Prefer Blondes halter dress are also gorgeous but the Leslie Caron dress had me hooked. Deliciously vintage looking and the perfect next #vintagepledge dress.

almond rock american in paris burda dress

almond rock american in paris burda dress

I haven’t bought Burda since a terrible incident with a dress in 2012. Those pattern sheets are HORRIBLE. But I’m a different sewist now… and apparently I can handle Burda magazines again! As luck would have it, this back issue was in the office so I borrowed it to get started on this dress.

almond rock american in paris burda dress

I wanted to use this polka dot satin from B&M Fabrics in Leeds with its scattered spots that dissolve into almost solid red. The border actually runs across both selvedges but I bought 3m to account for that. I knew I’d use the border print along the skirt hem.

almond rock american in paris burda dress

The bodice has an outer layer, an interlining which I interfaced and a lining. The drape is made by gathering three edges. The drapes look terrible when the dress is hung up but then when worn they sit really well on the body. The rouleaux straps and side zipper are the only support so I decided to add boding to the back bodice seams.

almond rock american in paris burda dress

I didn’t use the skirt frills as I though that would be overkill and just used the gathered skirt underneath. I finished the hem with an overlocked rolled hem.

almond rock burda dress american in paris

There’s actually a really nice version of the dress with a full back bodice that extends into sleeves. I might make this too at some point.

almond rock american in paris burda dress almond rock american in paris burda dress

Overall I’m really happy with the dress. I wore it to a longtime friend’s wedding where I gave a reading about the cosmos (“we are all made of star stuff”) while I stood under a huge oak tree. It was a lovely day and the dress is now a lasting reminder of that. Maybe I’ll wear it to a showing of the live stage version of American In Paris one day! Or just out for dinner in Paris?! A girl can dream.

Here’s a little bonus cat pic since it went down quite well last time heeehee.

almond rock american in paris burda dress

(11) Comments

  1. This is so beautiful! The bodice details are just stunning – I’d never have thought to add the boning to the back bodice to give it more support!
    And hey, Chewie! Looking good!!

    1. Ditto on Kevin. She sets me afire, that Ms. Shriver. The book made my stomach hurt to the point of nausea, but it was brilliant at the same ti.edSanmy´s last post ..

    2. Very informative and trustworthy blog. Please keep updating with great posts like this one. I have booked marked your site and am about to email it to a few friends of mine that I know would enjoy reading

  2. Amy this is stunning! I’ve had my eye out for a pattern to use for a dress for my step sister’s wedding, I’ve got some amazing green silk and this may be just the thing! Love that caped version too. Thanks for the inspiration!

  3. Amy! This is just gorgeous – the fabric is absolutely lovely but the bodice drape is stunning. excellent work!

  4. Looks really lovely Amy and your fabric choice is perfect! Would love to see the sleeve version too…

  5. Aww, this is so sweet and pretty – like a cupcake! I’ve been admiring the caped version for ages, need some frocktails to make it for!

  6. Lynsey says:

    Loving this dress, it’s so summery in that fabric and like the gathered wrap bodice

  7. Love how you’ve managed to make something incredibly formal into something that will get a lot more wear. I’d be tempted to make it in chiffon too though…

  8. This is just lovely Amy and perfect for a wedding! Love the draped bodice and the red border. x

  9. almondrock says:

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