crafterhours

sleeping babes. crafting moms.

Designer Knock-off

By 39 Comments

Well, I don’t know if BCBG really counts as a designer, but the price certainly qualified ($400).  Here’s the story: My brother-in-law sent me a link to a dress he really wanted to buy for his wife as a present for their 1st anniversary, “because she would look so beautiful in it”.  (I know, awwwwww….gag. Newlyweds.)  But he was right, she would look beautiful in it, and not just because she would look beautiful in anything.  This dress really was made for her.  Here’s the BCBG version:

So, I figured I had to give it a shot right?  I didn’t tell them what I was doing just in case it turned into my worst failure ever.  The original dress is chiffon, but I couldn’t find any chiffon print that didn’t look like a 75 year old’s resort wear, and I didn’t have time to order anything online with my 1 week time budget.  I ended up with a really pretty handkerchief weight cotton that I thought captured the soft colorfulness of the original.

Using my dress form and the very useful fact that my sister-in-law and I are the exact same size, down to height and shoe size, the dress actually came together much easier than I expected.  (Ok, to be fair to her, she is larger in the er, bust area.  But that wasn’t hard to account for, as everything sized above a 4 toddler is too big for me in the bust area.  I simply followed the natural and enviable curve of my dressform, Eloise.)

While we were vacationing together, we did a little anniversary photo shoot with the new dress.  Isn’t my sister-in-law stunning?

This dress was actually pretty fun and simple to put together, and it helped ease the evening-wear-making itch that I had, since I won’t be going to our annual ball this year.  Instead I’ll be vacationing in America, attending a friend’s baby shower, going to Target, and hopefully eating a philly cheesesteak.  I’ll take that over a ball any day.
Update: I’m adding this to seventhirtythree’s Knock it Off contest!

Comments

  1. Heather says

    I love it! The dress is simply beautiful. You did an amazing job on it.

    PS I love the way you think! We live overseas as well and everything you listed sounds way better than a ball!

    Reply

  9. barbara says

    you are so very, very talented. of course it helps to have a beautiful SIL to display your work, but i just think you did the best job ever!
    barbara

    Reply

  14. LJ says

    HOLY COW! You did an AMAZING job on that, you are one talented sister!! Nice work, now go make one for your pretty self :)

    Reply

  15. Bethany says

    What a beautiful dress!!!! I love the fabric you chose–much more than the designer version.
    Where in Philly are you going for your cheesesteak? That’s where I live so I always like to hear where people go when they visit. Odd, I know.

    Reply

  18. Lisa says

    it’s beautiful – I particularly love that your brother in law asked you to make a dress for his wife; that says so much about your relationship with him/your family.

    Reply

  28. Heather Feather says

    This is beautiful, and it’s so cute that her husband thought of it! I’m so impressed that you made it from the picture. And the fabric is perfect! She looks like she really like its!

    Reply

  29. Anonymous says

    Adrianna, I can’t believe you made that. You are so talented. The dress is beautiful and looks perfect on her. You’re amazing. Katherine

    Reply

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