There are several patterns from Burda I’ve had my eye on for years and years. This wrap dress with the drapey sleeves is one such. I sewed it way back in August to wear on my dativersary. But, it seemed too late fall for what ended up being a warm summer night. Plus, I thought it was more mid 80s corporate takeover than va va voom.
I meant to wear it and take some photos before two months passed. But, wonderful and terrible things happened at the same time and now I’m just getting around to actually wearing it and taking pictures!
I was drawn to the drapey sleeves and the wrap style (totally flattering on me) and the relatively straight skirt.
For this dress, I went in to the Carol Collection and chose these blue with purple maple leaf motif. Do you like that my dress has maple leaves and there are maple leaves on the ground? Do you? Yes? The fabric is a polyester print with a thick silky hand (confirmed by my burn test).
It’s totally Alexis Carrington from Dallas, no? I also considered naming it the Oh, Canada Dress by virtue of the maple leaves. I loves it!
I didn’t change too much here. I made a FBA (and of course forgot to make the same adjustment to the facing). Yep. I sewed the facing too. I don’t know why I’m not hating facings like I used to. On this, I love the smooth and firmness of the wrap. I reinforced the neckline, armholes and waist for support.
The hems on the sleeves and skirt are finished on my blind hemmer
I don’t have terribly much to say other than I really love this dress. You’ll never find something like this in the store. And, it’s somehow ‘dressier’ than my other work dresses.
I don’t think my sleeves look anything like the draft nor the model’s. Mine don’t seem quite drapey enough.
And, the obligatory photo of the back
Nice pattern. Will def be making it again in the future. Especially since it has sleeves!
Miss Celie's Pants 
Gorgeous dress, Renee. So where did you buy this fabric?
It was gifted to me several years ago and is a piece from the early 90s. The date was on the selvedge!
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Lovely dress! Are those pleats on the back yoke? I like everything about it, the pattern, the fabric. You are still looking so trim! I don’t think it looks 80’s, I think it just looks very flattering.
Yes, but your maple leaves are blue….Seriously, cute dress!
You are right, they are blue and purple. Or even two shades of violet. The camera didn’t render the colors quite the same.
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You are glowing! Could it be the dress or being married that has given you such a serene look of happiness? The sleeve could be enlarged next time to be more drapey but otherwise it is dynamite on you!
Excellent!!!!!
Great dress-you definitely should make another one.
Love the dress! And the fabric. You should definitely make this dress again. You look fantastic.
So glad you finally got this one photographed! But then again you have been a little busy…*smile* It’s a very pretty dress and you should definitely make it again!
Beautiful dress! Looks great on you!
Looks like those are actually oak leaves on the ground…suspect a weightier fabric would make drapier sleeves?
Likely! There are maple leaves out front now in the most beautiful red color.
Fabulous dress – and def worth making again. Might cross cutting the sleeves help the drape?
SO pretty! The style really suits you.
love it! You wear it well.
Definitely a winner. It’s lovely on you and the color is very flattering; makes you glow. Of course that could be that happy newlywed glow.
Very pretty and flattering dress. One small note, however, the Carringtons were not in Dallas – that was J R and Ewing family. I think the Carringtons may have been in Denver??? right decade tho! 😉
LOL! You’re right! Carrington was Dynasty! What’s funny, is I only ever caught one episode of a night soap and it was the Colby’s. But, that didn’t last long according to IMDB.
First of all, marriage agrees with you – you look fabulous, darling! 🙂 Next up the dress is wonderful and the fabric looks perfect.
So pretty! I love the sleeves. The fabric is really pretty too.
It looks so good on you :O). Its just lovely!
First, the dress and the color are FABULOUS on you. You definitely need more of both. Whoever said you are glowing, is correct. And finally, I was a Dynasty and Dallas ADDICT and I didn’t catch your oopsie until reading the comments. Hahaha … the mind sees what it wants to see. 🙂
Keeping your mom in my prayers. All the best for all of you. (And congrats to your hubby … just had to say that word … for passing the bar!)
The dress is lovely and you look BEAUTIFUL in it 🙂 Try to keep your HAPPY THOUGHTS about your Moms’ diagnosis. I know a woman who was diagnosed SIX years ago and she’s alive 🙂 Actually, with medications she’s FINE 🙂 She has her bad days but they are few 🙂 Crossing my fingers for you and your family….you are such a sweetheart 🙂 BEST WISHES from Cheryl 🙂
I was a bit distracted by that big sparkly ring on your finger! But the dress is lovely – I actually think your sleeves look better than the pattern – more pleated than droopy
Your dress is lovely. Even though your sleeves aren’t as droopy! I think I like yours better, more body and shape. Obviously I have missed some things going on with you so congrats on the marriage as well.
i think those sleeves have great drape! and yes, yes, those leaves, tres simpatico.
80s takeover. HA. way more sexy than that!
When you make it again, why not try working a little extra fullness into the sleeves? I think this is one of those cases where the pattern doesn’t quite match the sketch. Extra fullness in the sleeves would be a nice touch. Anyway, I love this version. The turquoise leaf fabric is gorgeous on you and you look lovely. Take care Miss Celie and your wedding photos were beautiful.
It’s just stunning on you! That color and silhouette are gorgeous!
what a great style, love those sleeves (i am always on the lookout for an interesting sleeve) definitely deserves another version.
Perhaps the drape on the sleeves changed because of the relative firmness of the fabric? Maybe next time, you can try something less firm/more drapey to see if it changes the look of the sleeves. Either way, it looks fab on you and is a great color for you. As for ‘corporate 80s’ (ahem), for those of us ‘of a certain age’ who actually ‘shouldered up’ in that period, in order for this to be true ‘Alexis’, you’d need to extend the shoulders a bit (1/2″ to 3/4″ of an inch at the edge and some height in the armscye should do it, I think) and put in firm shoulder pads. Now, I’m actually a HUGE proponent of shoulder pads because I’m stoop-shouldered anyway, but as a short woman, I find they give me a bt of structure that I lack generally. They also make my hips and waist look smaller (which is always a good side-benefit). Now, no one needs to go full-on Gaultier, but a good half-inch on the pads would work with some changes in the bodice of that dress.
Alex would have diamonte studded shoulders and where are your shoulder pads! Great dress nonetheless.
Just looking at the line picture and Burda’s version I never would have given this pattern a second look but yours look FABULOUS. Also your backyard pics are really making me miss home this time of the year.
I totally agree. The line drawing doesn’t draw me in but the dress looks gorgeous on you. Nice work!
Ah, another dress that has been on my to do list for ages (3 years I suppose!). Alexis or not it looks fabulous on you.
Gee, what a great dress! You look sensational in it, too. It might even be my favorite of all that you have sewn.