Monday, March 12, 2012

More Joan dress

Joan dress, image borrowed from Juia Bobbin (again).
So, today I came across this picture of Joan in the green dress I'm using as my inspiration for the Mad Men Challenge. LOOK AT THE BACK -- those buttons! I had no idea they were there.

Should I try to incorporate this into my dress? Julia Bobbin has done an amazing button back dress inspired by this look, which is simply beautiful. I love that she didn't actually make the buttons functional, which makes them lie a bit flatter/more neatly and prevents any buttonhole pulling or bunching...or really any buttonhole anything! (I hate buttonholes.)

But... I've never done this kind of thing! Are fabric-covered button kits easy to come by? Is it better to just have them done professionally? I don't know if I'm comfortable with a side zip yet ...could I still do a center back, non-invisible zip and also incorporate a placket of non-functioning buttons down the back?  Do I have time to add this to my project and still complete it by the deadline? Eeeekkk!

I wish I could just put up an inspiration force-field and become temporarily immune to all inspiration. Otherwise, I feel like I'm never going to actually get to complete this dress and will keep thinking of different things to add to it!

9 comments:

  1. This dress is so cute & I love the little collar at the back too! Button kits are really easy & its very simple to cover them yourself. You'll need to buy some butons to cover which will come in a pack along with its 'back' part & you'll need a special tool which you should be able to buy at your local craft shop or ebay which will help you push the back on.
    In regards to your zip question, I reckon you should give the side zipper a go! It's easier than you think! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'll do some searching on ebay for the button stuff...

      Maybe I will just suck it up and try the side zipper, too. :)

      Delete
  2. Hey Sue! Nice choice, I can't wait to see your finished dress!! Is a side zipper more difficult than a back one? I've never done a side zipper before...
    Re the buttons, I was looking at Julia's dress, and was wondering - how does it feel when you sit down?? The buttongs go all the way down your backside, so you would probably had to sit on some :) But the buttons look too good to not have them!!!

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right - it would probably be difficult, or at least awkward, to sit or lean up against buttons if they were on the back of your dress...maybe I can do something else down the back? Or not have the buttons go all the way down? I don't know!

      Delete
    2. You should keep the buttons, they make the dress look so beautiful <3 maybe wear it to "non-seated" events :)

      Delete
  3. Hi Sue -- Any JoAnn's or other sewing (not quilting)shop should have the cover-your-own buttons kits for various sizes. They are not too expensive and usually the tool is included or sold separately but right there in the same section. Usually you'll find Dritz and/or another recognizable sewing brand.

    They are easy to make. The only caution is if you're using a sheer fabric, use double thickness to prevent the underneath button shaper peeking through.

    I would think you needn't put them all the way down the back if you don't want to sit on them. If you do a side zipper and the dress is very fitted, make sure the zipper length is long enough to open up the dress so you can get in and out of it without getting stuck!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think the buttons on the back look beautiful, but I'd ba a little scared to tackle them!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love everything about this dress! As I saw it in TV I though... one day, one day my friends I am going to make this :D

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment!