Guy Laroche Evening suit

I needed an ankle length dress for a mess function and decided that of course I had to make my own. One, that would be "me", thus I looked through the Vogue pattern site and came across this one, No 2607.

I have to say, though, that despite this not even being for advanced sewing skills and me having been sewing for many years, I had a hard time understanding the description on how to put the jacket together. It was utterly ludicrous and in my opinion had several unnecessarily steps. It could be, of course, that I am really not used anymore to making "normal" clothes instead of costumes, but I still believe that even the drawings were confusing..

However, in the end I did it the way I would have done if I hadn't looked at the "how-to" and it turned out very well indeed.

I used a shot red/black polyester taffeta from Whaley's, which looked stunning but is inexpensive. The main difference between this kind of taffeta and silk taffeta (other than the price) is the sound it makes. No elegant rustle, but more a carrier bag crunch.

It was a delight to wear, especially when one of the Artillery chaps tread on it and complained instead of apologised (sarcastic dry grin). I love the fishtail skirt with its little train nevertheless, it is extremely elegant. Very dramatic and glamorous and so very much "me". It was remarkably simply and quick to make the skirt, but the jacket took days.

On the other hand, I can wear the jacket on its own and it looks good with black trousers.

The photo to the left shows the finished outfit, taken shortly before the function.