FO: Black Dress

Oh man.  This one has been a long time coming, and you can probably tell that I'm pretty happy about it!

This black dress was originally sketched on the back of a piece of notebook paper sometime in February or March of last year.  Nine body muslins and six sleeve drafts later, I finished the fit; last week - five months after cutting the pattern pieces out of real fabric - I sewed on the hook and eye and gave the dress a final press, and here we are.

This dress is by no means perfect - and I'll leave out the juicy details of every little thing I would do differently if I were to make it again, and all the little fit issues that would drive me nuts if I let them - but I am really proud of it.  It fits me beautifully through the bust and waist, two of my most difficult areas to fit; it's wonderfully retro without being too literal; it's actually pretty simple, but still looks designed.  I can imagine wearing it to a job interview, or a party, or a funeral - all in all, it's a very functional little black dress.

Thanks to Lumberjack for the pictures!  Happy Friday!