The Dressmaker’s Ball Simplicity 1606
A bit later than planned I wanted to share some pics from The Dressmaker’s Ball!
In case you missed it this was the event that took place on May 14th at Leicester’s City Rooms. Organised by the fab team at Crafty Sew and Sew we were treated to an evening of dinner and dancing. It was fab!! Here’s me and Sarah, one half of the organising team.
We had a complimentary drink in arrival, access to a glittery photo booth, buffet dinner and live music from Gabby Young. I had the honour of being part of the judging panel for the optional competition. I was joined by Elisalex, Marie, Elle and Becky on the panel. It was incredibly hard picking winners from all the amazing garments on display. I loved how everyone dressed to the nines for the night.
I wore a version of Simplicity 1606, an amazing fit pattern I picked up last year. Its a great little versatile pattern and I’ve already made a hundred from it since the ball.
My fabric was a medium-weight polyester satin in a sort of crystallized print from Abakhan Moyston. 3m came to about £20 but with a 15% off voucher this dress pretty much came to £17!
Of couse I added pockets. I used a concealed zip and boning from my stash. Plus grosgrain ribbon I had as a waist stay.
The fit was near perfect I think but I should have added more boning to stop the bodice sagging I think. The waist stay keeps it in place but it’s not as rigid as it could be.
I actually hid my waist stay inside the garment, having it emerge through buttonholes added to the lining before construction. To finish I hand sewed hot pink braid to the circle skirt to keep the drama and added a petticoat for extra floofiness.
It was such a lovely night and I got to chat to so many sewists! Gabby entertained us with her gorgeous vocals and Marie was an excellent hostess! (I even got to meet Charlotte and the bunnies).
I’ll leave you with a few more pics of the evening to enjoy. Maybe I’ll see you there if it’s repeated next year? Thanks so much to Freya and Sarah for xreati g this wonderful event.
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Lovely dress? Do you have a photo of who won?
See the winning dess here! https://youtu.be/XLB9R5QLVNA
You look radiant! The ball looked so much fun!
Thank you! I loved wearing this dress. Fingers crossed the ball returns next year
Your dress is fabulous!!
Thanks so much!!
So beautiful! Love that hidden waist stay
Thank you! So pleased I learnt this trick!
Your dress looks fab! Can you tell me about the braid that you used? I’ve not come across this technique before and am making several circle skirts so would be perfect to add some omph!
Sure! Horsehair braid isn’t actually made if horsehair but is super strong. You finish the skirts raw edge, then align the braid so the top 1cm covers the bottom of the hem by 1cm on the RS (hope that makes sense). Sew in place then flip to the inside. The hem fold will follow one edge of the braid and then you topstitch or hand sew the other side in place! You can get braid that curves to help ease the circular fabric.
[…] not going to inundate you with pictures of Simplicity 1606… this is my toile version of the ball gown with a fun twist. The pattern is essentially a great little princess seam sundress […]
Oh my goodness, this dress is absolutely divine! I’m off to get this pattern!
[…] at). I also made sure to sign myself up to the 2019 Dressmaker’s Ball! It was such a blast last time, I had to get in on the fun again! Will I see you […]
[…] at). I also made sure to sign myself up to the 2019 Dressmaker’s Ball! It was such a blast last time, I had to get in on the fun again! Will I see you […]