So, now that I am properly settled in, it’s about time I started to think about this year birthday dress.
“The idea is that it can be a nice every-day kind of dress, or a completely unjustifiable and unnecessary dress and that’s ok, because it is the birthday dress and no excuses will be required.”
-thecuriouskiwi, 2011
It is so very late, but, start as you mean to go on, no??
Anyway, here are my thoughts for this year’s dress – Feel free to comment on your favourite, but as I am a bit flighty with my sewing queue (who isn’t?!) there are no promises it’ll even be a dress on this list 😉
Simplicity 1802 is from my most recent pattern splurge sale purchase. I LOVE it and wanted to make it straight away! I like the short sleeve version (also piping!) and I could definitely wear this to work in spring/summer and I can see a winter version too.
Vogue 1190 has been in my collection for a little bit and is very pretty. It is probably more of a “going out” dress for me, but you can never have too many of those. I like it in a print (check out Katherine’s version) but I think it would also make a gorgeous LBD.
I think I bought Vogue 1161 at the same time as the pattern above. I gushed about this as an option for last years dress (check out Tasia’s and The Slapdash Sewist’s versions!), there are plenty of other gorgeous versions online. I like the little cap sleeve and the flounce in the skirt back , this could also easily be a work or going-out dress.
Vogue 1265 is newish in the stash and very work appropriate. I love the collar, cap sleeves and full flouncy skirt at the back. It would look great in a suity looking pinstripe and is high up the sewing list either way.
Another new pattern, Butterick 5749, perhaps a quick and easy option (not to jinx it or anything!) to use up some jersey from my stash – I love Allison’s version.
One day when I am feeling brave I will give Vogue 1258 a go. Sometimes when I first see a pattern I think to myself, “That’ll never end up looking as good in real life” but I have seen some great versions (see Jessica’s and Allison’s versions, gorgeous!) and I think maybe I could pull it off, so I bought it!
A few other patterns I’ve had on my list for a bit: I’ve never made anything from Your Style Rocks but when I do this will porbably be the first pattern I try.
So what do you think? Is there one you want to add? Remember the Birthday Dress motto, “completely unjustifiable and unnecessary” is perfectly ok.
the curious kiwi 
You make me want to buy v1265!! May be a little ‘plungy’ for the office, but nothing a nice something or other can’t cover up! Any of these will be lovely 🙂
Yeah it is very plungy now that you mention it – not quite what I mean’t by “work appropriate” haha, but I love how it is sort of power-suity but with a skirt 😉 I reckon you could hide a hook and eye at the work appropriate level or maybe a lacy triangle that you can insert with hidden snaps? 🙂
Yep, I thought lace straight away!
Great minds! 😉
Wow. McCall’s group should totally hire you because you’ve made me want to buy EVERY single one of those dresses. You’ve done fabulously at showcasing them!!! I love the Rachel Comey creation the best 🙂
Hehe, thanks…actually my selection is pretty biased towards the big 4 huh? Oh well 😉 Happy to spread the pattern
stashingselective purchasing love.I LOVE the first one. I vote that one!
You have some great patterns here and I am honoured that 2 of mine have inspired you to make it to the shortlist. I’ve been meaning to make that Rachel Comey cut out back one for ages too! Whatever pattern you choose I am sure you will make it fabulous!
Ohh I know when you get around to your Rachel Comey it will be another inspiring make 🙂 Well I traced my pattern on Saturday (the perfect calming rainy day activity) so there will be progress soon
Hmmm… so many beautiful choices… difficult to choose! But I do subscribe to your birthday motto and to add some other patterns, have you heard about the new French boutique Deer&Doe (http://www.deer-and-doe.fr/). Some lovely choices there as well.
I have just discovered them about 1 week ago, I saw them in a post by a French blogger I follow. They are very nice and I have a few on my list for the next pattern splurge 😉
I love that first Simplicity 1802 by Cynthia Rowley
Ohhh me too!
Some great choices 🙂 Funny, the skirt on that Vogue 1161 dress is absolutely identical in every way to the Vogue 1170 skirt, which I have made up 3 times now. Both by RC of course. It’s a terrific style.
It is the same 😉 I have both patterns…but I needed the other one for that top. I love the seaming on the dress (and the skirt on it’s own) – I always end up buying more Vogues after I see one of your fabulous outfits! Hehe
I like the patrones shirt dress. Although they are all pretty!
I do need another shirt dress, I’ve already traced it off so it will probably show up sometime this year even if I don’t make it as my next project 😉 I will need some extra length added in there though, so short!
So many good options! I like the Eva dress, but I have also been a fan of Butterick 5749 since it came out (not that I have made it yet…) but I think the Vogue 1190 could be cute too! I am sure whatever you decide it will be fabulous for a birthday.
They are all great aren’t they?! B5749 looks like an easy project for quick sewing gratification – even if I don’t chose it I’ll probably make it this year anyway 😉
I have made the YSR Eva Dress, and heartily recommend it – I made it for the Red Dress contest on PR, and blogged it if you fancy a look.
Of your other selections, I love the Simplicity 1802, and you should totally consider the Vena Cava dress for a birthday treat!
I am sooo tempted by the Vena Cava! 😉 I would love to see you YSR dress, can you give me the link?
Ask, and you shall receive 😉
http://wenznz.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/your-style-rocks-eva-dress.html
I’m in the throes of planning my own birthday outfit, though nothing quite as ambitious as your own.
Ahh actually I remember seeing yours in a google image search, red is very nice, I love that pleat at the back! Nice work xx
I like your style rocks and Vogue 1265. It is always problem to choose and have the query little bit shorter%))
I have so many great ideas for V1265, from a traditional suity looking pinstripe (I just remembered the perfect fabric in my stash!) to a vibrant solid colour or a print, ohh! 🙂
Hi Mel,
I think the ‘Your style rocks – Eva Dress’. I have a rtw dress of a similar style and I always feel a million bucks when I wear it and people always comment on how nice it is. I also like the very first one with the sleeves – it would be nice if the sleeves were a bit fuller and ruffly like the skirt of it.
Michelle
Oh yes, I’ve seen some great versions of the YSR dress, it looks comfy too 🙂