sabrina fair
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Every year, there are events held in honor of the US Navy’s birthday. They’re big to-do’s, from what I’ve been told, and this year is the first time I’ll be attending one! I’m really excited, although I don’t know if it’s because I’m going to a very grown-up event, or because I get to wear a really fancy gown! lol. I’ve been toying with various ideas for my gown for the ball for months. First I was convinced I wanted to make something drapey and evocative of the late 30s or 40s. But as time wore on, I realized I didn’t quite have the budget for the silk charmeuse dress I had envisioned (nor could I find fabric I liked). Not to mention I tend to feel a bit more comfortable in things with more structure, rather than those relying solely on me having a “good body day”. haha!
At the end of August, my Sailor Husband reminded me that the ball is fast approaching and I was still waffling on my dress. I went rummaging in my fabric stash and found a generous length of a taffeta material I picked up when I was a teenager. Yes, I’ve had it for at least 5 years! lol. It’s a beautiful, deep blue with a black raised pattern. It’s got a scallop border design, although the fabric edge isn’t scalloped. While I could have made a fabulously full skirted number, I wanted something a bit more spare. After many sketches (everything from a full skirt gown to designs that look like something Marilyn would have worn), I remembered that one of my dreams has been to make a dress inspired by the gown Audrey Hepburn wears in Sabrina after coming back from Paris. It’s a gorgeous, Givenchy designed number, and has caught my imagination and symbolized sophisticated glamor since I first watched the movie. Although I don’t claim that my dress will be even 1/10 as beautiful, I knew that I had finally hit on the style that suited my personality!
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The beautiful blue taffeta will comprise the train of the dress. It’s designed to be detachable so I can take it off going to and from the event, so as not to crush it while sitting in the car. The dress itself, a simple strapless sheath, will be made of a black evening fabric. (I originally wanted a light colored dress for the ball, since Sailor Husband will be in his dress whites, but alas, a girl can only have so many wishes fulfilled! lol) I’m toying with the idea of fashioning the bodice as such so that the front bustline peels away to expose a pleated piece of the train fabric; a way to make the entire gown cohesive. I’m hoping to also add some beading and sequins to the train to add some sparkle and interest. The train will fasten to the dress at the back with hooks and eyes, and be covered with a belt made from the dress material. I’m thinking silver accessories and shoes with this one…
I’ve just started the muslin and fitting process with this. For the pattern pieces, I decided to make it easy on my self and use some existing, vintage patterns and patch them together. The skirt is a pencil skirt from a 50s suit pattern (ironically I bought this particular pattern because the suit kind of reminded me of the one Audrey wears in the film while she’s waiting at the train station!). The bodice will be from the pattern I used for the blue sundress earlier this year. It’ll be boned and have both an underling and lining. I think because of the climate factor, the skirt will only be partially lined, although I haven’t full made up my mind yet. The train pattern I’ll free-form. I have enough taffeta to use for the entire train. I just haven’t decided how I’m going to seam it (one center back seam, hidden on the inside, or two side seams?) or if I’m going to try and hem the bottom so that it creates a scallop much like the border design.
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My apologies that this post is so long, and if you’ve gotten this far you’re a real trooper! hehe! I’m just so excited about this particular project. I have dreamed of making a ball-worthy gown for years, but it was highly impractical since my lifestyle didn’t have any opportunities for wearing such glamorous gowns. Now I know I have at least one, yearly event that will require something fabulous! I’ll keep you all posted as I progress with this. If anyone is interested, I’ll update with some more technical posts that show the construction steps in a bit more detail than I normally do. I just don’t want to overwhelm everyone with my sewing geekiness!
Posted on September 9th, 2009 to sewing.
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project snippets »68 lovely thoughts to “sabrina fair”
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Erin says:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:29 am
This is a beautiful idea!
If you want another pattern to work from, I’d suggest the vintage vogue reprint, V2239. They no longer print it, but many ebay shops and so forth have it. Here’s what it looks like:
http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V2239.htm?tab=out_of_print/vintage_vogue&page=1
I made this for a prom gown in high school. The bust structure is really sturdy and is a beautiful shape. I’m also a sucker for long sashes.
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Audrey says:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Oh, Casey, I can’t wait to see this finished! I love Audrey, not only because I share her name, but just her overall elegance and timeless beauty! I always loved attending our military balls too, unfortunately, I had to wear my uniform since I was the one serving!
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Lizzy says:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Oh, my goodness, the dress from Sabrina has to be my favorite dress of all time!
I certainly wish that I had the sewing skills and design skills to try to make my own version because it’s such a gorgeous, gorgeous gown! I love the sketch of yours and the fabric, I can’t wait to see your gown. And I’m positive that it will be a lot closer than 1/10 as beautiful, you do fabulous work! -
Quincy says:
September 9th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Oh my goodness! What a lovely dress to recreate!
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Fiona says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Oh my, i can’t wait to see the your creation! Gorgeous idea!
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Sal says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Oh, Casey, I cannot WAIT to see your creation. And to see it ON you … you’d best post lots and lots of photos if you know what’s good for ya.
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Brook says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:22 am
A formal ball–how exciting!!! I am just in awe of your creativity and skill. The ability to put a dress together from scratch like this represents rare talent and I can’t wait to see the finished product!
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Theresa says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Oh I am so excited for you! I just saw the movie with her and absolutely loved it! I wish you the best results!
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Joelle says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
It sounds absolutely beautiful! Cannot wait to see how it turns out
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Odette says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Oh don’t apologize for the length – this is a wonderful post!
I love that you’re going to a ball – and that we’ll get to see photos of the dress (and maybe the ball itself?) Somehow you always seem to create this pocket of old-fashioned wonderfulness in the midst of a modern life, which is so inspiring.I also love that you flagged the need for dress structure. I’ve recently realized that structured clothing does half the work for you when you’re trying to evoke vintage. (Alas, cotton jersey, no matter how beautifully cut, rarely makes the same impact, and any bit of diaphanous froth is only as era-friendly as the vintage structured base it rests on.)
I can’t wait to see your version of Sabrina!
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Mena Trott says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
That’s a gorgeous dress and will definitely be a fascinating project to follow!
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Sarah says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Ah I love the Sabrina dress! The inspiration sounds perfect for you, and I really can’t wait to see the final results. Good luck with the sewing!
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April says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Did you say “if” anyone was interested, you’d share construction details? Umm…me!
I think your idea is simply fabulous…and I really like the idea of a pleated inset of your train fabric on the bodice.::sigh:: I always had fun going to babysit people’s kids for the military balls and seeing all the ladies in their fancy dresses, but I never did get to go myself…
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Michell Adams says:
September 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Please do blog about the details!!
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Jennifer says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Ooh that dress is going to be fabulous!!! Promise you’ll post lots of pictures along the way of creating it as well as when it’s finally presented to the world! That fabric is so luscious!!!!
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Emily says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I look forward to seeing the finished dress! How exciting to have a special occasion to go to!
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Kitten says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Oh wow, this dress is gonna be so beautiful, can’t wait to see the result, good luck!
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Amanda Lee says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I cannot wait to see how your design turns out! Your creations are always so fabulous!
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KimB says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
What a lovely dress! Navy with black is such a chic color combo! One of the nice features of your dress design is that the “underdress” is such a simple, classic style. It might be nice to keep it all in black so you could modify it for future events. I can see the basic black dress working for a fancy dinner, a night out, New Year’s, etc. You could make it look totally different by adding a different skirt, a lace overlay, a bolero, etc. If there’s a way to make the contrast on the bust removable (for example, attaching it with snaps), that might give you the best of both worlds. I’ve been thinking a lot about making my wardrobe more versatile, and I guess it’s showing!!
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Ashe Mischief says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Definitely keep us up-to-date on all aspects of this! It sounds like an amazing project, and I’m sure the final project will be a killer piece. I love seeing the fabric in comparison with the original inspiration… they complement each other beautifully!
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Erin says:
September 9th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Casey – this dress is going to be gorgeous. Please post pics when you have it finished!
Also, I love that suit pattern. Can you please tell me which pattern it is?
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Sarah says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I’ve been reading this blog for a while, but I’m not very good commenter, but once I read this I knew I had to reply. I designed my junior prom dress after this dress. I spent nearly two months on it. I draped my pattern, and being a beginner draper at that time I made quite a few fitting mistakes, I ended up finding the Vera Wang Vogue Pattern that was basically this dress and used it. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vera-Wang-Bridal-Gown-and-Overskirt-Vogue-Pattern_W0QQitemZ290333097183QQcmdZViewItem
Okay, a few words of advice, I don’t know if you thought of it, but use some tulle inside of the detachable skirt to give it some volume. What I did was inside of the skirt create almost like tulle ruffles around 5 inches and layered them underneath each other, this create volume without bulk, and since you have a heavy weight fabric (I’m assuming) the layering won’t show though. This is a biggie: make sure the train isn’t long because I made mine with a little sweep in the back like the original, and though it was beautiful, BUT everyone kept stepping on it and soon parts of the skirt was ripping of the belt at the end of the night. It was a little sad when I was being held together by safety pins. I ended up taking off the skirt and stuffing it under our table. People were feeling the big tulle mess under their feet the whole night.
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lauren winter says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
man alive, Casey! this will be so beautiful! that taffeta looks really vintage and lovely.. and anything modeled after Audrey Hepburn (and I think Sabrina is my favorite movie of hers, you can’t lose with Billy Wilder!!) will be gorgeous.
please please post more details about this dress as you make it! I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
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Sharla says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
How perfect! I happen to be a HUGE Audrey fan so anything having her style in it is right on! A friend of mine is getting married soon and she is getting her wedding dress styled after this one. Such a lovely idea!
God bless! -
Martha says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I am really excited to see how this project will turn out! I love posts about the design process and taking an idea and turning it into something real, so don’t apologize for long posts ever. Audrey Hepburn is my favorite actress and a style icon so this is so interesting!
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Hana says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Sabrina is one of my all-time favorite movies!! I am so excited to see how your dress comes out!!! I’m sure it will absolutely marvelous! Best wishes on the sewing =)
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Nadja says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Oh, Casey, you will loock stunning in that dress you describes!
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anja louise says:
September 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I bet it will be amazing! It’s so rare to get a chance to dress up so fancy!
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Genevieve says:
September 9th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I am thrilled for you and excited to hear about the construction / progress details! How lucky you are to have a chance (excuse?) to make such a dress. I hope you get to the beading; I think that will really add glamour.
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Jennifer says:
September 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I’m so excited for you, Casey! I wish you the best of luck on the dress. Your plans sound promising, and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I think you’re very lucky to have the chance to attend an annual ball.
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Mel says:
September 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
WOW that sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to see it! Good luck!
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lsaspacey says:
September 9th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I don’t know if someone has already written about this but how about the belt goes through the top of the train (like a casing?) and therefore not all of the weight is held by those snaps which might over time (or when your’re sitting) damage the dress? I posted an example of a Philip Lim dress that used this technique. If you’re interested I’ll try to find the back view again and send it to you.
I also posted some links to information on this very dress a while ago here. I also found this incredibly-detailed breakdown of the dress at http://www.kartanonrouva.net/couture/ressabrinabw.shtml. Good luck!
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SwingDoll says:
September 9th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Ohh I am in a dreamy state of wonderful. You are so lucky to have such an event to go to! The fabric is wonderful, lovely, gorgeous. I love it. I was reading your post and just about holding my breath! I was having a hard time reading it I was so excited! It made me squeal with delight
I also love Sabrina. Especially the song La vie en rose. I hope the making of it goes well! I will be checking back! Have fun!! -
Erin says:
September 9th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
One of my favorite movies! Looking forward to seeing your progress, and happy sewing!
-Erin -
reilly says:
September 9th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Casey!! The design and fabric are so, so beautiful, I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Definitely keep us updated with your progress and process as much as you can.
Where’s my Air Force ball so I can dress up?? 
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Emily Carroll says:
September 9th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I am just completely amazed by you, once again:) Please, please, post every bit of the construction process, as I am sure I am not the only one dying to see your every step!
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Gordita says:
September 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I am SO excited to see this dress. I’m envious of your imagination and sense of style that you can dream this up, and then make it happen.
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Amanda Nicole says:
September 9th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Casey, you are phenomenally talented! I can fully imagine this dress, and the dress on you, and I predict it will be perfect
You should custom make ballgowns as a business! -
Little Lovables says:
September 9th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
wow, this is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to read more about it
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Lisa says:
September 9th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
please! Share your lovely sewing geekiness with us! I’m so impressed by your handmade cloths. You’re so talented. I can’t wait to see your piece of work! lisa
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Rosie says:
September 9th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
You are going to look gorgeous! I can’t wait to see the finished result!
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Erin Le Clerc says:
September 9th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I am in awe. Seriously can’t wait to see the finished product! Your sewing entries always inspire me to get out my vintage Singer and have a go at creating! x
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jolene says:
September 9th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
i’d love to see it when you have it finished! I envy your so called “sewing geekiness” my bridesmaids dresses were all hand maid and so was my sister in laws dress (i didn’t do any of it but both were my ideas) …remind me to share them sometime.
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Sarah says:
September 9th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
More sewing geeky-ness please please please! I love it and can’t wait to see!
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Sara says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
The long posts are my favorite!!! I honestly can’t wait to see this finished, and I think that it would be really neat if you kept us all abreast on the progress!
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Sara says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
May we say “inspired talent alert”? You are amazing, Casey! Thank you for posting – it gives impossible seamstresses like me happy little thrills of delight to participate in reading about your adventures!
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Kelley Anne says:
September 9th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Oh that sounds wonderfully elegant! I can’t wait to see the finished result and the steps in between. I’m so excited for you!
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Josie says:
September 10th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Wow! What an awful lot of work! I’m sure it will all pay off though as you will look so amazing, and that fabric is just beautiful and will make your eyes sparkle! I’m looking forward to the construction posts, I’m always interested to learn from others sewing expertise!
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Sorcière Camomille says:
September 10th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I’m so impatient to see it worn ! You’re going to be splendid ! Great choice of style, Audrey’s dress is probably her most beautiful and most spectacular, it’s perfect for a ball. Good luck !
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Peldyn says:
September 10th, 2009 at 3:04 am
Looks like you have had some excellent advice in the comments! I know you will look beautiful in the finished dress and that the Ball will be one you will remember forever.
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Erika says:
September 10th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Wow! Just wow!
I’d love it if you posted about the construction of this beautiful gown! I often feel a bit frustrated when seeing pictures of clothes that inspires me, I want to turn it inside-out, inspect the seams, learn how the pieces are shaped and how it’s all put together. So please, post as much sewing geekiness a possible! =)
Good luck, and I’m looking forward to the story being continued! =) -
Kate in Belgrade says:
September 10th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Great idea; good luck on your beautiful project! I went to a Marine Ball last year and it was really fun. The best part for me was seeing all the people I knew transformed into glamorous movie star types.
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Oxanna says:
September 10th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
It’s going to be gorgeous! I love your inspiration and creativity in turning Sabrina’s dress into a less time-consuming (all that embroidery!) style.
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hannah says:
September 10th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
wow looks like its going to be awesome! cant wait to see it! have fun at the ball
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Laura Mariko says:
September 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Sssooo lovely! I’m amazed by this. I love the idea of a detachable train that makes things so wearable and classy at the same time.
Have fun at the ball! You’ll be the envy of all the girls!
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eyeliah says:
September 10th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Oh I can’t wait to see it (and yes I read the whole post – lol).
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Julia says:
September 10th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Casey, loved ur post and can’t wait to see your work in progress and the finished dress!! I saw something today that made me think of you – Shabby Apple (the dress company) is having a contest to design a dress for their spring line and the winner gets 3% of the royalties from all sales. You should check it out. U have such wonderful style and skills – I think you would win it!!
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Jessi says:
September 10th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
OMG!! your my sewing hero… I too have always wanted to have a dress like audrey’s from Sabrina, but I’m such a weakling when it comes to sewing, I don’t have the curage to try it!!
You MUST show us steps and definatly the finished peice, Please!!!
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Melissa says:
September 10th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
A dress inspired by the Givenchy Sabrina gown is a fabulous idea! It truly is one of the most beautiful dresses ever. I can’t wait to see your version. I don’t sew, but I’d still love to read about the process of making it and see any photos of the dress under construction. I’m fascinated by that kind of thing.
Good luck!
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Paige says:
September 11th, 2009 at 1:27 am
AWESOME! It’s times like this I really wish I had better control over my sewing machine. Your dress will be fantastic and I can’t wait to see pictures of the finished product.
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Miss English Rose says:
September 11th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Oh I can see this is just going to be amazing! Nothing like a bit of Audrey Hepburn for inspiration! I would be very interested in hearing about the more technical aspects as the thought you can make something so amazing blows me away!! The furthest I’ve got is making a full skirt!! xxxxxx
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Kelly says:
September 11th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Oh, I bet you’d look so pretty in a dress like this! Audrey is my favorite person and I’ve always loved her Givenchy collaborations! His gowns always looked so stunning on her. I can’t wait to see your final result!
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ashley says:
September 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
absolutely amazing. That has always been oneof my favorite gowns ever…
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Mary says:
September 11th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Oh my goodness! This is going to be so incredibly AMAZING! I just love how creative you are and enjoyable your posts are! I can feel your enthusiasm!
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rachel says:
September 12th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
this is my favorite audrey dress of all time. good luck and so excited to see it finished!
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alicepleasance says:
September 13th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Oh, I can’t wait to see the work in progress and the finished dress! You’re definitely my inspiration! I’ll start with sewing classes next month…will see
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Emma Wallace says:
September 13th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I’ve been thinking about “Sabrina” lately! I cannot wait to see your finished dress.
P.S. Inspired by your post, I posted my version of “La Vie en Rose!” -
Becky says:
September 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Looks lovely–cannot wait to see the finished product! I didn’t find out about our (USAF) ball until it was too late to make a gown for, but I’m plotting and planning for next years!
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!