It’s my 38th birthday and we had a cosy family dinner party at a restaurant right next to a pool. My dear hubby was so sweet to have gotten me this amazing 3D cake of a sewing machine! It is SO cute and I heart it to bits! It even had details of buttons, bobbins, pin cushion and needles as part of the cake decor! My lil prince said the best part of the evening for him was seeing and eating the cake 🙂
And the dress I nearly forgot to make- my birthday dress! LOL! I kept the dress in line with my resort style theme. Since my party was at a country club, I thought it went pretty well with the setting. Nonetheless, I had to totally switch the pattern and fabric choices. Instead of the simple vintage dress, I made my first designer pattern- The Rachel Comey dress (Vogue 1161).
This is a 10-piece pattern and by no means an easy dress to sew. It was definitely a blessing that I read Very Prairie’s review before embarking on the project. The review mentioned that the pattern runs small but I bought the pattern before reading it and the largest size in the envelope was a 12, my usual size, so I took a gamble and made a size 12. I am glad I did cos the fit was fine for me. I also didn’t have the gaping neckline issue.
However, I absolutely agree that the unstitched darts at the bust aren’t my favorite look and the back bodice length is indeed a little excessive so I had to trim away the excess after joining the bodice to the midriff piece.
Thanks to the review’s warning that the dress is short, I lengthened the hem by 3″ and finished with a rolled hem. I also lined the upper back section (with the tie knot) with the shell fabric instead of the lining fabric since the review mentioned that the lining showed a little where the knot is tied. By using the same fabric on both sides solved the peeping lining issue completely.
It took me three days to finish this dress and I am happy I managed to match the triangles at the front hip section of the dress quite closely. This was the toughest part of sewing this dress and very notch dependent. Here’s the close up photo, sorry that the triangles are a little difficult to see due to the print. They are at the two sides and pointing at each other.
The fabric is an interesting Made in Japan cotton voile with white embroidery all over. A note on using embroidered fabric is that it might be useful to use a contrasting thread for sewing. This way, you won’t get confused should the seam ripper be needed. Overall, I am happy with how this difficult dress turned out and might just make another in a fabric with a simple print.
Meanwhile, I hope you are having as great a weekend as The Sew Convert! A few more party shots to end the post 🙂
My family…My parents and kids…
My brothers and sisters in-laws and all the food we eventually finished!
That cake is amazing! Its great that your husband was so thoughtful.
Your dress turned out beautifully. The open back is really nice.
It looks like you have a wonderful family.
Okay, I thought my sister-in-law’s 3D bear cakes were awesome but that sewing machine takes the cake! (groan, I know) Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to BOTH of us !!!!!!! December the 11th is my birthday too!!!!
How fun!!!! Lovely dress and the cake look delicious
That cake is almost too good to eat! Happy Birthday 🙂
Fantastic dress and cake 🙂
And I can’t believe you’re 38! Seriously, you look about ten years younger – Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday!! That is the coolest cake ever and your birthday dress is gorgeous. I can’t believe you’re 38 either. You look fantastic. Hope you had a wonderful day!
What a lovely cake and dress. Happy 38th!
The dress is beautiful…happy birthday!
Happy Birthday (a little belated I suppose)! You look great in the designer dress:). Love the fabric you chose. That’s just the best birthday cake too. I don’t think I would have had the heart to eat it.
Love that CAKE!
Love the dress & that is such a cute cake. How lovely of him.
Happy birthday! Love the dress… the one is in my queue, but I’m a little intimidated by it. Great cake too – it looks like a wonderful party!
Happy Birthday, What a fantastic Cake! and your dress is beautiful, i love the material.
Happy Birthday! Your cake and your dress are both gorgeous!
Happy Birthday! The dress looks great and I lov that fabric.
That dress is perfect for your figure! Good tip on the lining. You have a wonderful husband to think up that cake idea and actually do it, lucky girl. Happy Birthday!
wow! what awesome looking cake! 🙂
happy birthday.
and the dress reads like lots of work. you look great in it!
That is the coolest cake ever! And you look stunning in your new dress- great job! Happy Birthday!
Happy (belated) Birthday! ^^
What a fun way to celebrate with the whole family.. and the too-cute-to-be-true cake!
I don’t know which I love more, the dress or the cake! Both are awesome – happy birthday!
Belated Happy Birthday. Love the print more every time I see it! and FANTASTIC job on the front seams!!! Your husband deserves a prize for Most Thoughtful and Creative Idea of the Year, that cake is just too much!
Happy Belated Birthday! What a lovely fabric, and this dress is beautiful! Well done!
I get so much inspiration from your creations. Happy Birthday!
Happy Belated Birthday! The cake is amazing.
All your family is so beautiful. Your husband is amazing . . . what a thoughtful and cute cake. The dress is really cute and you look great in it, and the food is making me hungry. Happy Birthday!
Fabulous cake and FABULOUS dress!!! Happy birthday.
Jennifer in Kansas
Happy belated Birthday and wow, what a wonderful dress! So chique!