Monday, July 29, 2013

An ode to “The Party”- In the form of a dress

Have you ever seen the Peter Sellers movie "The Party"? It's a slapstick comedy set at the party of a Hollywood director. What starts out as a sophisticated dinner party soon turns into an overblown rave with drunk waiters, pools turned into giant bubble baths and a painted baby elephant!


It's rather fun and good for a giggle on a Saturday afternoon while sewing.

When making this dress I was reminded of this movie. The bright pink and purple would be perfect for a party dress! The little orange dots in the fabric go well with gold jewellery and overall it has a rather frivolous feel to it.



  

The pattern I used was Butterick 4774 this particular pattern has 7 options and is called “The wardrobe maker"



Like some kind of fashion daemon - it will create you a wardrobe of your 60s dreams! A jacket, coat, pants, shorts, top, dress and gown. Why you could make them in coordinating colours and always look the same! Haha no just kidding....



I chose to make the shorter length dress, but I have my eye on that Emma Peel style jacket too!

The fabric was purchased from Etsy and could possibly be Mercerised cotton. It has a little bit of a sheen to it adding to the party feel and was listed as original 60s





The dress was nice and simple to make - especially because there are no sleeves! The neck and sleeves are faced but I’m yet to slip stitch the facings closed. The front also has a simple strip of fabric as decoration which when worn with the coat, is supposed to replicate the zip closure. 

This is one of those wonderful things about 60s patterns - little details that are repeated in different ways which link them all together and help to tie an outfit as one. André Courrèges was known for doing this with his coats and dresses which was very modern at the time and lots of high end designers still repeat this technique within entire collections.


My next project will involve teal silk. I've never sewn with silk or satin before - do you have any tips or advice?


Cat xo

24 comments:

  1. Very swish! I've only sewn with silk once so far, as a lining for a dress, and I used a spray stabiliser to make it less slippery. It was a Colette tip. Just check that it washes out before using it all over your fabric!

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    1. Oh ill have to look into that. Thanks!
      Its really nice silk but the right sides are slippery and the wrong sides a rough, so it will be interesting!

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  2. I've sewn with silk-cotton blend. Cutting is easier not on the fold - so trace out pattern pieces in full. Also a rotary cutter is easier than scissors. I found that a silk needle worked best. Also if it's difficult getting started sewing a seam (fabric sucked into throat plate) then you can add tissue paper as another layer and tear away along the perforations later. Hope this helps.

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    1. Oh great tips! I heard about the tracing paper layer and have used it for oilcloth sewing - but i like the cutting tip as well. thank you!

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  3. Hi again, dear Cat! I love Peter Sellers and the way he shakes up polite society in his movies. It's been ages since I watched The Party co-starring Claudine Longet. How well I remember Claudine, the French singer, actress and dancer who was married to American crooner Andy Williams, placed 4 records on the U.S. pop chart in the mid 60s and was involved in a messy scandal and trial following the death of her skier boyfriend, Spider Sabich.

    You're "pretty in pink" in this wonderful dress, Catherine. Nice job! Your skill as a seamstress is matched by your flair for modeling your outfits. It's obvious that you enjoy both and that makes me very happy.

    Good night to you in Australia, my dear friend!

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    1. Oh my i didn't know that about Claudine!
      thank you so much for your comment - i haven't worn pink in many years and i think im now just coming round to it.
      Haha my modelling is just me dancing and waiting for the timer! haha

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  4. The Party is such a great film and it has some amazing costumes!

    Your dress is lovely, I love the print on the fabric. I haven't sewn with silk before so I can't give you any tips, I hope it all goes well!

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    1. Thank you Sarah! i hope the silk goes ok too!

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  5. I have seen it but not for years, Peter Sellers is/was hilarious.
    That dress is stunning, the fabric is incredible and you look amazing. xxx

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    1. Thanks Vix! youre so kind! Some of his movies hes very slimy, and some his a crack up! Such a good actor

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  6. I loved that movie, and that is a fantastic dress!

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  7. Love that movie and this dress, perfect!

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    1. Thank you Isabel! And thanks for popping over to my blog! xo

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  8. This is so cute. It suits you a tee. https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees

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  9. You're "pretty in pink" in this wonderful dress, Catherine. Nice job! Your skill as a seamstress is matched by your flair for modeling your outfits. It's obvious that you enjoy both and that makes me very happy.

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  10. Yes, I've seen "The Party" and loved it, and you and your dress definitely look like something fabulous that could be found in that movie! My favourite part is when Peter Sellers' character loses his shoe in the water. Great choice in fabric. Would love to see your version of the Emma Peel styled jacket. And you have such a flair for modelling your creations! I'm too shy! xx

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    1. haha! the shoe bit is so funny! i cant remember if he gets it back in the end? I love the dinner scene which just goes on for ages with more and more silliness!
      My "modelling" is just me, a record playing and the camera on timer. Music makes it a little more easy to pose - just like in the movies. Put a song on that matches your outfit and hopefully magic will happen!

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    2. Great tip - shall definitely try it! xx

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  11. I absolutely adore this dress!! It looks fantastic on you too ;)

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