the alice project
[ the alice project inspiration collage. click for sources/credits. ]
Now for the unveiling of the project I mysteriously hinted at last week! The “Alice frock” sprung from my love of Alice in Wonderland–only re-imagined into my favorite fashion period: the late 1930s or early 40s! I was originally inspired by this gorgeous 30s dress I spotted on Ebay earlier this year. The collar and ruffled sleeves were just so pretty! I was also being drawn towards shorter ruffled sleeves and the length of dresses in the 1940s (much easier to move around in–at least for klutzy ol’ me!). So out of this inspiration, plus a length of a pretty blue linen, was born the “Alice frock”!
[ during the pattern development; making the muslin. ]
I spent a few days developing the pattern from scratch; originally my sketch (which also shows another variation that I considered) showed just two dart-tucks on the bodice for shaping and fullness control. I decided that 6 dart-tucks (one on either side) worked out better; not only are they very appropriate for a 30s/40s inspired dress, but they offer flattering midriff shaping and a little bit of fullness around the bustline which I typically need. hehe! Otherwise, I didn’t deviate much from how I envisioned it from the start.
[ the finished dress! photos kindly taken by my Sailor Husband! click for larger view. ]
I usually try not to say this, because I feel it sounds like I’m tooting my own horn, but I’m really proud of how the finished dress looks! I had a few moments throughout the construction of wondering if it wasn’t too costumy, if I really liked the design or color, but in the end it worked out. I was pleasantly surprised when I wore this out over the weekend at the number of positive comments I received from strangers–people were even asking me if I was a professional model! hehe! (Which tickles me to no end because a few short weeks ago I was basically snubbed by a model agency as not being “modelesque” when I made some very general inquiries about their requirements. lol.)
[ closer views of the collar and sleeve ruffles. ]
Thank you so much everyone who sent me encouraging comments and Twitters last week–they really helped spur me on! After years of loving the books, even the animated Disney movie (one day I shall go to the Magic Kingdom and ride the teacups ride! lol!), I have my Alice dress. Perhaps I’ll even wear it next year when the Tim Burton movie comes out… (Which I’m terribly excited and anxious about!)
Posted on July 20th, 2009 to sewing.
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sponsor spotlight: aranel »66 lovely thoughts to “the alice project”
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Betty Lou says:
wow! i love it!
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Faith says:
I love this. I adore how it’s not too literal and ‘cutesy’ (after all, once you hit your twenties, it’s hard to wear too much in the way of kiddie clothing!) but still so evidently inspired by Alice that it maintains that magnificent whimsy!
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Franca says:
oh my goodness, you are a complete genius!
I was out on saturday night wearing my vivien of holloway dress and two very cool girls came up to me to compliment me on it. They were both wearing dresses similar to your one (I called them sailro dresses), but I forgot to ask them where from, I was so flattered! sorry, random story!
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Nicole says:
That dress is just darling! Now you need to have a tea party and wear it with a cute white apron.
And fiddle-dee-dee to those modeling agency people. They obviously don’t know realy beauty and charisma when they see it!
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Fleur says:
It’s so gorgeous and you are darn right to be pleased with it! What talent you have lady! One day I am going to kidnap you and make you my personal dressmaker!
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Quincy says:
Oh my goodness!!!! It’s fabulous darling!!! Will you make me one? LOL! Really I can’t get over how perfect it is! Also, shame on that modeling agency, they don’t know what they’re talking about! Have a wonderful day in your new dress!!!
) -
Ms.Cleaver says:
As a huge Alice fanm yself -I love the dress – it turned out wonderfully. I’m currently making my first attempt at draft a pattern from scratch, I can only hope it looks half as good as yours!
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Maggi says:
Holy crap, you should be proud! That dress is fabulous!
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Ashe Mischief says:
You did an AMAZING job on this dress! It doesn’t look costumey at all– it’s fresh and vibrant, with just hints at the original inspiration…
Modeling places are absurd–I bet you could score lots of indie modeling spots through things like Model Mayhem & such, especially where they appreciate the vintage aesthetic more….
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Stéphanie says:
Oh ! Lovely !
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Clare says:
You have every reason to be proud, Casey! You did a great job. The dress is adorable, and you look so charming.
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Stephanie says:
What a perfectly lovely frock! You’ve inspired me to get back to making dresses, which I have been neglecting lately. I’m an avid reader of your blog and get so excited when you post something new! Thanks for all of your beautiful pics & ideas:)
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Samantha says:
Thats amazing!! I just sewed a purse from scratch that I’m over the moon about, but its nothing compared to this!
Good job!!
(I’m also looking forward to seeing Alice in Wonderland!) -
reilly says:
Toot away! It is gorgeous, with so many great details!
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Katie says:
I love it! I personally hate sewing sleeves, so I’m super impressed! I also channeled my inner Alice for a shoot this weekend… how funny. You can check out my pictures on my blog thimblekissblog.blogspot.com
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Lizzy says:
Oh, my goodness that dress is absolutely gorgeous!!! You have a right to toot your own horn about this dress. I don’t think it looks costumey at all, and I think it’s more beautiful than the dress that inspired it. Glad you got compliments the first time you wore it, there’s nothing worse than wearing some new that you’re excited about and having no one say anything about it.
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Anna Allen says:
congratulations on the finished dress, casey! it’s marvelous! and that’s amazing you made it from scratch! doesn’t that just make you feel great?
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Gordita says:
The dress is gorgeous! You are unbelievably talented. And you look amazing in the dress.
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Sarai says:
It’s beautiful! You know, I have a sketch sitting right next to me here that has the very same sort of bodice tucks, which I saw on a vintage dress recently. I have to say, yours looks even more beautiful and flattering than the one I saw!
I have no idea why the modeling world today is so dead set on homogeneity.
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Rose says:
This dress is so perfect! How do you do it?!!!!
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jennine says:
absolutely gorgeous! the blue is just perfect for you, and your red lipstick.
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Amanda Nicole says:
Oh wow, where to begin? The dress is absolutely beautiful, and you fully look like a pro model in it! The colour, the cut, it’s all so perfect. Congratulations!
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Gretchen says:
Fantastic dress! So cute, but very grown-up. Job well done.
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Nancy says:
Ok, I’m blown away. I love seeing your influences and then seeing the final synthesis. The dress is PERFECT. (I know what you mean about worrying about looking costume-y; I have some fabric that I’m second-guessing now, worried that it will look too costume-y in the pattern I have. But I don’t think your Alice dress is too costume-y at ALL.) t’s a very sweet, stylish homage to Alice and to your favorite retro fashions! Perfect!
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Mademoiselle Robot says:
Oh boy it is goooorgeous! You should start selling your designs! I’d love a dress like this. *claps*
xxx -
Marmielu says:
Very pretty, lady. Very pretty.
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Lucy says:
I do love the inspiration for this.
This’ll seem a really random question,
but what camera do you use to take pictures? -
Shayla says:
you are so impressive! wow! that is just amazing!
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Blair says:
Perfect! You did a really great job, I know something like that takes a lot of work!
<3
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maria says:
Holy Smokes!! This dress is amazing!! You are so incredibly talented and I adore all the wonderful details.
I wish you owned a shop were I could buy this dress!
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ambika says:
Toot your own horn! It’s gorgeous, love the collar, and the color is so cheery and sweet.
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sarahblank says:
this is so beautiful Casey!!! I love your inspiration board as well. Your craftsmanship is unbelievable!!!
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Kajsa says:
lovely!
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Sam says:
I’ve always loved Alice, and have thought for awhile about making my own Alice dress.. I’m sure I will at some point.
Yours came out great – super cute and fun but not costumey! And an excellent summer color. -
Sharla says:
Oh I LOVE it!!! I’m am the biggest Alice fan, that is too cute!!! It turned out very nice.
God bless
Sharla~ -
Angela says:
Oh my goodness! I am a long-time reader who’s never managed to comment before… but this dress deserves as much praise as possible. The sleeves are amazing! And I love the little matching belt.
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jen says:
WOW. it’s official, you utterly amaze me! you made this from scratch??!! sheesh, i’m more impressed that i can say! i love it, truly! good for you, you should be proud, i would be.
geez, really, you are so talented!!!
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Sarah says:
Oh Casey, it’s gorgeous! It really turned out stunning. You are such a talented seamstress and designer. You look like you stepped right out of some whimsical 1930s retelling of Alice In Wonderland! (but not in a costume-y way)
(And that modelling agency is silly and obviously blind. Pish posh!)
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eyeliah says:
It’s so cute, the perfect shade of blue.
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Kelley Anne says:
Oh you should be proud! That dress is absolutely gorgeous:) I love the color, the collar and the ruffled sleeves. Well done! And too bad for that modeling agency…its totally their loss.
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catherine_sr. says:
How gorgeous! I love this take on Alice… you can see the influence without it being, as other people said, too literal. The color is great for your skin, too. I wish I had your sewing chops! And phooey on that modeling agency… the reason I now read mostly fashion blogs instead of magazines is because I was tired of seeing women who all look like they fit in one mold and the sooner agencies and publishers figure that out, the better!
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Esz says:
Looove it! SO gorgous. I can’ believe how talented you are
Wish I could sew something like that -
Jen says:
All i can cay is ‘wow’. Casey, this is simply beautiful and i am envious of your talents with drafting patterns. I found some vintage pattern drafting books the other day and have spied a pair of shorts i want to make, but i’ve never drafted a pattern in my life – i like to make things up as i go along.
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Alexandra says:
This is the cutest thing EVER!! I love it! The color is gorgeous and the cut and style are just AMAZE-ing!!!
By the way, you have to go to disneyland/Disney World some day! The tea cups and the Alice ride are among my favorites!! The teacup song is super sweet and fun…pure retro pipe organ whimsey! (i promise i’m not a koo kook disney person who collects mickey pins and stuff, I just love the old animated movies, Mary Blair art work and of course disneyland!)
A photo of you in that dress in front of the tea cups would be GENIUS!
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Tanya says:
All I can say is wow…just, wow! That dress is absolutely gorgeous. I admire your sewing skills!
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Erin says:
woweee! you should be proud of yourself! that dress is perfection and the color looks wonderful on you! you do look like a model!
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Aya says:
Oh my goodness, I ADORE this project of yours! In fact, I am totally in love with it!!
You look so utterly gorgeous… your hair, the dress – everything. Forgive me if I gush, but as a total Alice fan (btw, thank you for featuring me in the collage!), I am dying here. This whole post is immensity inspiring
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Little Rascal says:
That’s a very neat dress. Well done! <3
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Lilee says:
amazing dress! ahhh so talented!
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Erin says:
utterly fantastic
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Emily says:
I love it! It’s just right for the summer.
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Kelly says:
This dress is absolutely adorable, I love it! You always make such wonderful outfits!
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Pansy Lane says:
OH MY GOODNESS I love this so much!! It’s absolutely stunning and perfect!
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Joelle says:
absolutely gorgeous! i love it
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Sara says:
I love the soft ruffles paired with the sharp collar! The white test dress steals my heart…
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Kitten says:
Wow, that is such a beautiful dress, and it really suits you! Doing the 6 dart-tucks really makes it more vintage looking, love the belt as well. You are truly talented. <3
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Alice says:
Hi this is really cool! I have mentioned you on my blog, here: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 2010. Thanks!
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jasmine says:
that frock honestly came out really good. i’m super jealous to say the least.
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Devon says:
Oh! it’s gorgeous. Any chance of sharing the pattern? or..making one for meee…?
xox
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Jessica says:
Oh gosh, this is incredible!!!! You are the queen of sewing!!! What a talent! Goodness, I could only dream of being able to do something like this…I’d gorgeous! xx
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Uta says:
Gorgeous. And original. And it suits you perfectly. Congratulations!
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Rhiannon says:
I love how you can put together a bunch of vintage inspiration photos and come up with a dress that’s completely original and so perfect for you! It really is the perfect sailor dress . . . you definitely should be proud!
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Starr Crow says:
you continuously amaze me with your sewing skills! how did you learn to sew this well (and make you own patterns)?? i took a few expensive classes a while back, but even with a pattern i kind of suck.
also, i know that you work with a lot of html and graphics…is this self taught??
you truly are my style icon.
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Polly Farthing says:
Wow! That dress is truly amazing. I am gobsmacked with how talented you are. Polly x
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Polly Farthing says:
P.S.
I wanted to ask you -
I plan to put together a post on how Alice in Wonderland influences bloggers and their style. Could you permit me to put some of your Alice inspiration pictures and stunning dress in to a collage? Of course I would credit where they came from. Polly x -
dana says:
Oh, that dress is…..perfect! I absolutely love it, especially the richer darker blue tone you went with. Beautiful and very chic on you.
I’m so happy I just found your blog and in kind of a weird way. Sew Magazine just contacted me to be featured in their magazine next month and showed me the blog post you did on it. haah! So exciting! Congrats to you. From browsing your blog, I can tell that you deserve it!
Anyway, I love making new contacts in the blogging world. My blog is more of a children’s clothing blog. But one day I hope to sew more for me. And especially such HOT glamorous things like you’re making. Have a great day!- dana
http://www.dana-made-it.com
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!