Last year we went to dinner for New Year’s Eve at the Prime Rib. It’s a jacket required steak place where Jordan proposed. We had 9 pm dinner reservations and I was dozing at the table by 11. We left early and I was asleep on the sofa before the ball dropped. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
This year we got together with friends to go to a restaurant on top of a museum with a view of the fireworks at the Inner Harbor. I needed something to wear and was about to buy a dress. Then, remembered I have a ROOM FULL OF FABRIC and sewed instead. I binged on The Crown and decided to go all out vintage with a mink hat and cashmere opera coat (and lashes. I’m now ‘Team Lashes’ for going out). Barbara pointed out on IG I needed pearls and she’s right! I don’t know why I didn’t think to put some on.
This silk jersey version of the Hot Patterns Cosmopolitan is a bit of a dream project for me. But, sadly a semi fail. I first got this idea from Erica B’s blog like ten years ago. She showcased the Michael Kors dress the pattern is modeled after. And, in 2015 I found the right color jersey at Mood in New York.
I made a few design changes to the original pattern (I’ve made it about eight times over the years). For the neckline, I did modify it a bit to be a U shape similar to the Michael Kor’s inspo dress. But, it’s too wide and D shape still (I keep altering it a little bit each time) 
I also did an exposed neckline facing based on these directions from Gigi’s old blog, but it’s not done neatly and kind of wonky. Instead of the button cuffs as drafted, I made a simple in-the-round cuff to model the inspiration dress.
I also wish the facing was maybe 1.5 inches vs 1 inch wide. It was a really easy technique that I’d done before on a silk jersey blouse. I think I gave that top to Liz because I no longer have it I was a little too busty for it.
I also meant to make a slip to wear with the dress. But, did some hand finishing on knitting and destroyed my wrist (a recurring theme) and couldn’t cut out a slip when it was time.
The seams are left raw inside and I used my blind hemmer to make the hem. And, i should mention… when I was deciding on the neckline dip, I held the patten up to me to make sure it was as low as possible without showing cleavage. So, yay me!
You’ll see that it’s also tied at the back. I should have doubled the length of the waist ties so it could wrap around and come to the front with some ‘hang’. I made note of this before and I might actually resew the straps.
So, overall it’s a totally fine dress. It’s a little bit of an expensive venture for me not to be 100% in love with it. But, I do like it a lot. And, can see myself trying again (I’ve already altered the neckline). And, I still had something fun to wear for New Year’s Eve!
My Bernina 830 was in the shop for a few weeks. I took it in because I could hear the belts slipping and it wouldn’t sew very sporadically. They tuned it up and replaced the foot pedal. I’ve always sewed on it on full speed. It never occurred to me it should sew slower if I didn’t push the pedal as hard. I’ve never really believed in machine servicing, only if it’s say ‘broken’. Otherwise, I figure you can oil and maintain yourself. But, I have to admit it’s sewing much better.
Miss Celie's Pants 
Your dress doesn’t look like a fail AT ALL. You look fabulous! Love that mink hat on you! Happy New Year, Renee!
if the every day hat ever comes back in style, i will be the first to adopt the trend.
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 12:17 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
I am in love with your silk jersey dress. The color sings on you!! Loving the look with your fab hat and coat. I was wondering- how did you pre treat/ pre shrink the silk jersey? I have a top and a dress that I need to make this year. Thanks!!
i’ve pretreated two ways. i have done a full wash with euclan or woolite. for this one, i used the steam refresh function on my dryer. i thought it helped retain a bit more of the silk shine. (apologies for the lower case. I’m wearing a wrist brace and it’s easier to skip punctuation)
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 12:27 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Thank you for the tips on preshrinking the silk jersey knit. I am grateful to you!!
I am so sorry to hear about your wrist! I hope that it heals soon. Have you ever tried a paraffin bath for it? I had severe tendonitis 20+ years ago and while in hand therapy, the paraffin really helped. The glove that ParisGrrl suggested sounds wonderful. Happy New Year to you!
Gigi just told me about a paraffin dip today on facebook! I’m going to sally’s beauty supply tomorrow to buy one. and, I’m going to make an appointment with a hand specialist.
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 3:50 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Have you tried support gloves to save your wrists a bit and help them heal? I’ve gone several rounds with repetitive motion stress and have found OccuMitts to be a lifesaver; I can work longer with them and also remind myself not to work too long at a time. You can find several models at http://www.occunomix.com/products/supports/occumitts-support-gloves.html
Bonne Année!
i have never heard of these! thank you! i usually wear a splint. but, it’s starting to irritate me as I’m wearing it all the time lately. also, i will now be saying ‘bonne annee’ for the rest of the month. thank you for that too!
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 12:47 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Wow – that’s a beautiful dress! Good luck with the wrist healing – that is so frustrating.
I know you see the imperfections when you look at it (what sewist doesn’t?!) but it looks fantastic on you. I also love that you held onto the inspiration idea until you found the perfect fabric to make the look! Happy New Year!
Beautiful dress! The colour is stunning on you. Hope your wrists heal up soon. I have that sewing machine too, a very exciting find when we were cleaning out my boyfriend’s Gran’s old place. It’s such a reliable machine, I love it! All the best for the new year!
you lucky duck! i was just wondering to myself the other day if i’d ever upgrade to a newer computerized bernina or juki. but, i love this 830 so much! if only it had a lightening / stretch stitch and possibly automatic buttonholes it would be perfect.
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 3:35 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Renee, the color of this dress lights you up! You look gorgeous in your NYE dress! About the slip making, I love making my own slips; my favorite knit fabric is a regular stock at Emma One Sock. It is listed as a stretch knit lining; it has a fabulous hand, soft, silky, non-cling, and wonderful to work with, and feels luscious next to the skin. It comes in a variety of neutral shades.
I do hope your wrist feels better soon. Happy 2017!
a few years ago there was a lingerie factory sale locally. they had all this black tricot that was being sold off for .50 a yard. i bought gobs of it. it’s taking up so much storage space! i purposefully ditched my rtw slips last year in an attempt to force myself into making my own. my old slips were from college!
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 3:45 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
I love how you got all dolled up! I thought your hat was a fake blond braid on Instagram and was all hmmmm lol. But it’s a HAT. Much nicer. 😉
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! i mean, I’m not above a hair piece. but, it will never be random blonde goddess braid!
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 6:35 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Nope, no fail there my friend! This dress if lovely on you! The color, fit and overall look is so pretty! (And I love the lashes too!) Happy New Year!
ahhh! thanks, myra! i guess this goes to show why i didn’t make my wedding dress. i would have found a million imperfections.
On Mon, Jan 2, 2017 at 8:51 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
that outfit is stunning – the dress is so beautiful, and it looks so versitile. I am lovin the mink combo, very classic hollywood, I think you will get a lot of wear out of that dress, its really gorgeous, and that colour – just love love love (and jealous jealous jealous!)
thank you! the fabric really is wonderful. totally luxurious.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 5:19 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
You are just beaming in this outfit. Thanks for the honest share, but I would have never have noticed. I have a hat head too, we can keep wishing. Happy New Year!
thank you, janet! sometimes i get fixated on something being *just so* and when it’s not i get a little peeved with myself.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 8:26 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
What a stunning dress!
Your dress is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colour on you! ❤
thank you, andie! i really do love the color. and it photographs very true to life too.
On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 11:29 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
You are a beautiful little blue dream in that! Swoon! And I think your coat & hat & BEAUTIFUL EYELASHES (**blink!blink!blink!**) make you look like an absolute glamour girl.
i can’t lie. i was totally feeling my accessories that night! and, i did a lot of eyelash fluttering too 😁
On Tue, Jan 3, 2017 at 12:00 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
>
Totally perfect for a New Year’s Eve night out – love the colour. Bet it felt amazing on. And the lashes are soooo glam.
First I Ioove the color, 2nd it looks beautiful on you and 3rd it doesn’t look like a fail at all.
Overall it looks gorgeous on you.
gorgeous dress and color – you should sew more of these turquoise blues. And I also thought the hat was a blonde braid. Anyway – very glam! Happy New Year to you and thanks for the nice comments on my blog.
I love the dress hat and coat! So glam! I wish hats were more fashionable too. I really like wearing them and think they add such a great touch to an outfit like super cute sunglasses.
It looks great on you! I love how you styled it and really love the sleeves! I don’t notice the problems and we are always our own biggest critics.
I agree, not a fail in those pictures! Looks fantastic on you! It must feel like heaven in silk jersey…Happy new year too!
Hey Renee!
This is a beautiful dress – that color looks great on you!
I’m the media gal at Organic Cotton Plus and stumbled upon your blog today – we’re looking to add to our group of sponsored bloggers, and I thought I might reach out to see if you’re interested in working with us! Not to sound gimmicky here, I just couldn’t find an email to reach you at (sorry if I missed it!)
If this is something you might be interested in, you can shoot me an email at jaime[at]organiccottonplus.com. Thanks for your time, and happy New Year!