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Sewing: Retro Bombshell Dress - course result!

127

Retro Bombshell Dress - course result!

Bombshell dress - front view

Another headless shot!

Hem and seam treatments

Boned bodice and waist stay

Sarong skirt gathers

Sweetheart neckline

Bombshell dress - front view

Learn It

This project was made as part of a Craftsy course:
Sew Retro: Perfect Fit Bombshell Dress »

Instructions

I chose (a probably totally unsuitable ;-)) thin cotton for the fashion fabric, so underlined the skirt section as well as the bodice - and it worked out fine!

Difficulty:

Category: Sewing

Type of item: Clothing

For: Women

Style: Retro / Vintage, Classic, Cute

Materials

All cotton. Very thin printed cotton fashion fabric, underlined throughout with a midweight black cotton. Bodice is boned with 11 spiral steel bones.

What was your inspiration?

Gretchen Hirsch and her wonderful Craftsy sewing course!

What are you most proud of?

The boned bodice, it was the first time I had used spiral steel (or any type) of boning - now I want to make a corset!

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

If you are following the course, watch all/some of the videos first, it helps you to know what you are doing and why, the course is great to watch, and there are hints and tips that will help you before you start. Take the course :-)

62 comments

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TortillaDesigns

May 22, 2013

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Very cute! Great fabric choice and the fit is great:)

Eureekaswindow

May 09, 2013

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Great job! I'm absolutely in love with your dress!

Guthrie Gant

Apr 19, 2013

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Cool, cute AND sexy! Thanks for posting pics from inside so I could see construction details. Helped me figure out if I think I could attempt such a hard looking dress.

Tracy-Louise Jewellery

Mar 28, 2013

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looks FAB!! not sure i'd look fab in it, but i'm going to give it a go anyway.... great pics, definately inspired me tonight to get the old machine out for first time in months...thank-you Amanda xxx

SewSassy1

Aug 30, 2012

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lovely and I thank you for adding extra pics of your journey to the completed piece. What fun to see.

Amanda

Aug 30, 2012

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Thamnk

Amanda

Aug 30, 2012

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Thamnk

Amanda

Aug 30, 2012

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Thamnk

Amanda

Aug 30, 2012

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Thank-you, I enjoyed learning about adding boning, I hadn't done that before :-)

Bluesyjay

Apr 03, 2012

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beautiful sexy dress and choice of fabric! congratulations! It's lovely! I signed up for the course but realized it's too advanced for me...NOW...but I'll get back to it asap!!

Amanda

Apr 03, 2012

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Thanks! - It's definitely worth watching for general sewing help, hints and tips, even if you aren't sewing up the dress right away. The fitting, hemming and zip insertion could be useful for lots of projects, for example. Happy sewing! :-)

Jackie G.

Mar 16, 2012

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Did you get a pattern with this class? And as below from Wita, do you think it would work for a petite, full busted, small shoulder frame? Your work is beautiful and I'm thinking abouth taking this class if it is offered again.

Amanda

Mar 16, 2012

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Thanks, yes the pattern is supplied as part of the course (like a Burdastyle pattern, you print it out and stick the sheets together). Gretchen gives lots of help and advice, you can take photos of yourself and get feedback on the type of adjustments you need to make, so I think you would be fine. When i took the class there were women of all sizes making the dress. Hope this helps!

Like 1 person likes this

Wita

Feb 26, 2012

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I love the the fabric print and the dress looks soo sexy!! Will love to make it in a petite size!!??

Amanda

Mar 16, 2012

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Thank-you! Gretchen gives lots of help and advice, you can take photos of yourself and get feedback on the type of adjustments you need to make, so I think you would be fine. When i took the class there were women of all sizes making the dress. Hope this helps!

Anabella

Jan 16, 2012

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I really love the fabric print and also the dress in it!!! really nice i would love so much to make on in PLUS size,,

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Supervoc

Feb 22, 2012

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A plus size would be great. Beautiful dress and fabric

Amanda

Mar 16, 2012

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Thanks! When i took the class there were quite a few plus size ladies making the dress with success. Gretchen, the instructor was great, and gives feedback on your fitting, women of all sizes were sewing, so I think you would be fine. The boning adds a lot of support.

tada

Jan 14, 2012

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perfect

Amanda

Jan 15, 2012

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Thanks!

Carisensei

Jan 06, 2012

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Wowee! Just beautiful! Congrats!

Amanda

Jan 15, 2012

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Oh, thank-you! I still haven't been able to wear it anywhere :-(

iriscici

Jan 01, 2012

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excellent

Amanda

Jan 15, 2012

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Thanks!

AnnaLee56

Nov 22, 2011

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Really nice - good fit, good work-womanship!!!! Good job.

Amanda

Jan 15, 2012

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Thank-you!

Merengueknitter

Nov 16, 2011

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Great job! The fabric looks great! the underlining must have done the trick.

Amanda

Jan 15, 2012

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Thanks, yes, it draped well and wasn't too stiff. :-)

Mandy54

Oct 20, 2011

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The dress looks wonderful. Well done!

Amanda

Oct 20, 2011

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Thank-you! i hope i get to wear it... it is do cold here at the moment!

mavety215765

Sep 20, 2011

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well done.great job.i want to take the course, but at this time no money to spare. i sew, i just wing it. ii all so knitt.

Amanda

Sep 24, 2011

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I'm definitely a 'winger' too! I enjoy sewing, seeing something take shape, but if I want to relax, I knit, sewing is nearly always stressful at one point!

Liz B.

Sep 20, 2011

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What a beautiful job! The inside under structure looks perfectly done!

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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Thanks!

Karatkk31518

Sep 20, 2011

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If I make this after taking the class, will I be about 80 lbs thinner??? I could reLly make a couple for friends too! WISH I WAS SKINNY! Love it!

Like 1 person likes this

Janel

Sep 20, 2011

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I only need to lose about 20 lbs...but the dress is incredible!!!! And LOVE the fabric. Great fit. Great job!!!

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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I guess one of the best things about sewing is that you can make things that fit really well, whatever size or shape.... Thanks!

Suegra M

Oct 23, 2011

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No matter what size, well made clothes that fit perfectly make the wearer look wonderful.

callen7368171

Sep 20, 2011

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Beautiful!!! Wonderful job!!!

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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Thank-you, it was an interesting thing to sew!

beccajane

Sep 20, 2011

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Oh it's beautiful, I love it. I may have to take this course.

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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I really liked the course, thanks!

Chapeuzinho

Sep 19, 2011

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Ah! wonderful. I have all materials now for this dress, just a few other projects to be done then I am ON this. Fabulously executed!

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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Thank-you :-)

radtechruth

Sep 19, 2011

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Wow, cute dress. I couldn't wear it but it's really cute.

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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Thanks, not sure how often I'll be able to wear it either, I might add straps. :-)

prancingpoodle

Sep 13, 2011

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Well done! I look forward to taking this class!

Amanda

Sep 21, 2011

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Thanks! I really liked the course!

Craftsy

Sep 08, 2011

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We've added this project to our Featured Projects on our home page. Congrats!

Like 1 person likes this

RStaffieri

Aug 13, 2011

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WOW Amanda, you did a great job! The dress is beautiful! (inside and out) I thought the Sew Retro course was very good.

Amanda

Aug 14, 2011

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Thank-you! Yes, I liked that ot wasn't just about this one pattern, but ideas/techniques for other projects too - I'm trying to make a corset now so that I can learn more about boning and close fitting garments!

Rosesred

Aug 12, 2011

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Such a cool dress! I really like the combination of fabric and pattern. It really is a perfect bombshell dress.

Amanda

Aug 13, 2011

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Thank-you! I'm thinking about adding a detachable halter neck strap. I just need some better weather to wear it now. :-)

jewelryby92403

Aug 11, 2011

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Great Job< I did my first boned dress and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It adds alot to the finished project

Amanda

Aug 13, 2011

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Thanks, yes I found the boning easier (apart from cutting the spiral steel) and comfortable to wear. I'm fascinated with it, I've just started sewing up a corset to give me an excuse to play with it a bit more!

Kir

Aug 11, 2011

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Great job! Nice color choice.

Amanda

Aug 11, 2011

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Thank-you! I choose a cotton print because I thought it would be a little bit less dressy and more likely to be worn!

LuluKnitsNYC

Aug 11, 2011

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that looks amazing! really nice job!

Amanda

Aug 13, 2011

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Thanks! I love hand finishing stuff, so this was a good project for me. :-)

CassieCrochets

Aug 11, 2011

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Oh, thanks for the advice! I'm planning to take both sewing courses, starting with the more beginner course first. Can't wait!

CassieCrochets

Aug 10, 2011

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This is really stunning! I would LOVE to learn how to do this . . . . I have 4 daughters : ). Also, you look great in it, which is helpful. I would look frightening . . .

Amanda

Aug 11, 2011

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Thank-you! if you can, I'd really recommend the course, I got it for half price. Being able to watch someone (over and over again!) who knows what they are doing is very helpful. And you are given info and feed back on how to make it fit you, which is the best thing about sewing, you get to wear something that actually fits (though I've made plenty of mistakes on that score in the past!)

This awesome project brought to you by:

Amanda
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Retro Bombshell Dress - course result!

Bombshell dress - front view

Learn It

Instructions

Materials

What was your inspiration?

What are you most proud of?

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

62 comments

Add your comment:

This awesome project brought to you by:

Related Projects

Discover

Take Craftsy with you!
Craftsy Apps for iPad® and iPhone®. Read more »

Retro Bombshell Dress - course result!

Bombshell dress - front view

Learn It

Instructions

Materials

What was your inspiration?

What are you most proud of?

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

62 comments

Add your comment:

This awesome project brought to you by:

Related Projects

Discover

Elsewhere

Take Craftsy with you!Craftsy Apps for iPad® and iPhone®. Read more »

Take Craftsy with you!
Craftsy Apps for iPad® and iPhone®. Read more »