Mad Men Dress Challenge - all done!

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, or have been avoiding my blog for the last month, you'll know all about Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Dress Challenge - chances are you're even taking part! Today, I'm super excited to  finally reveal my dress, which is inspired by Jane's character.

Please let's not play the 'who wore it better' game! I did go for more neutral make-up like Jane, but I much prefer myself with a brighter lipstick...

I'm such a sap, but when I finished this dress I burst into tears! I've had a pretty bad record of fitting dresses to date, (evidenced here) so I was unbelievably relieved and overwhelmed that it actually fit well!


What?!? I'm just hanging out with my dress, admiring my awesome neckline ties!

I used Simplicity 4905 to recreate Jane's look and it was a dream to work with – all notches lined up perfectly and instructions were clear. I made my regular adjustments, taking an inch off the bodice to fit my short torso and ½ an inch off the armhole seam and sleeves for for my narrow shoulders. 

Despite wanting to do Jane's dress justice, I also wanted to end up with a dress I'd wear, so I opted for a fuller skirt than hers. This is the part I'm most proud of, because instead of using the pattern's gathered skirt pieces, I decided to draft my own circle skirt and it actually worked. Hurray!

Still riding on a jersey high from my recent Renfrew addiction, I opted for it again. It's the best decision I could have made - my jersey was thick yet ridiculously forgiving to work with, I didn't have to worry about finishing seams and I got a great fit without a single button or zip in sight! Better still, it was £4 a metre, meaning this dress cost less than £10!



Isn't the colour pretty? I opted for a darker blue than Jane's to suit my complexion better. Also, I only decided to omit the button front after I cut my fabric out, so I sewed it all down instead. It looks quite neat though and it's mostly hidden by the ties to be honest!

The back darts are flattering and I'm glad I added a sweet little touch to the hem, 
it makes me smile...

I couldn't help myself - here's one last Jane vs Marie shot ;o)

There's already been an array of beautiful Mad Men themed dresses popping up all over the blogosphere, but do make sure to stop by Julia Bobbin's blog on 1 April for her big reveal of all the dresses!

46 comments:

  1. I LOVE it! The colour is gorgeous and it fits you so perfectly...yey!

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  2. Looks fabulous and am glad you got the fitting to a tee.

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  3. Marie, this is so lovely, well done. I love the neckline tie and also the fuller skirt you chose. It looks great on you.

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  4. WOWZERS Marie what a stunning dress! It looks absolutely delicious on you, and I love how you opted for the circle skirt as opposed to gathers/pencil. I'm getting a definite Pan Am vibe too - have you seen that show? Ultimate dress porn! x

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    1. Thanks so much and yes, I have watched Pan Am...the fashions in that are stunning! It's so sad it's been cancelled though :o(

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  5. Oh Marie it's lovely! The fuller circle skirt definitely makes it more wearable and it really suits you, as does the colour. I'd have burst into tears too if I'd made a dress like that! Fabulous job. x

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    1. Thanks Jane, glad to know I'm not the only one who cries at such things!

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  6. Well done, well done, very, very well done! I totally understand why you'd burst into tears. I had similair emotions on finishing my Vogue coat. This dress is a corker. It would never have occurred to me to work with jersey, but it's clearly performing exceptionally well. A TOTAL success!

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    1. It's weird, but jersey was the obvious choice for me! Thank you for such kind comments!

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  7. Oh Marie, you look beautiful. I would have cried with relief too. Fitting dresses is a pain. And you've done it!

    I love the color. It looks lovely on you. And you can't ever ever go wrong with a bows/ties/collars. Ever.

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    1. I share your love for neckline details...love 'em!

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  8. Oh Marie I love this so much. It's stunning on you - you really suit this shade of blue. And the neckline/tie is adorable. Really suits you - maybe you could also make a shirt from the same pattern? I may have to buy this pattern - it's so so cute. I am also incredibly impressed that you used jersey, I would never think of doing something like that and you got a stunning dress with not a nasty zip or fastening in sight. Well done lady... well done indeed :)

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    1. Oh yes, a blouse from this pattern would work so well! You're welcome to borrow it of course?!

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  9. Its absolutely fabulous! Well done :-) Looks wonderful :-)

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  10. That is one gorgeous dress, and the fit does indeed look spot-on! I totally have that pattern too: I'm gonna have to dig it out and see about making it sometime this Spring!

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    1. Oooh, I look forward to see how yours turns out Angela...beautiful no doubt ;o)

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  11. A beautiful dress Marie, well done!!! Sam xox

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  12. I love this dress on you, it looks fab. I think too that the drafted part is awesome. I have stayed away from gathered skirt because of the pleats, it was an awesome idea to draft a skirt that works so beautifully! I hope you wear this dress every week, don't let it get hidden in your closet, it's too pretty for that! :)

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    1. Thanks Gina! And yes, I must wera this dress often, it really would be a shame not to!

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  13. I love this dress! It's so cute and looks comfortable, retro, and adorable, all at the same time. Excellent work!!

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  14. I've really enjoyed getting to 'know' the characters of the show through your blog. Your dress is fantastic and suits you really well, both style and colour. Love that shade of blue.

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    1. Thanks Clare and I'm so pleased you enjoyed the Mad Men style files too!

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  15. Love your dress & fits you perfectly!

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  16. Beautiful dress, it fits you like a glove and the swishy skirt looks really fun

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  17. Oooh, I think I like yours better anyway (and not just because I know in your version, there's not a giant bitch in that dress ;) lol). The circle skirt is a perfect match with the neck ties and your fit is excellent!

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  18. It looks amazing and just like the original!

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  19. Gorgeous dress! I love that you put in a circle skirt instead of the full, gathered skirt. It keeps the lines smooth (I love full skirts but hate the bulky bunching at my waist from gathers). Wonderful job. I'm so inspired to get back in my sewing room!

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    1. Thanks Abby, hope you get sewing up a storm soon!

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  20. Marie your dress is fabulous! Actually it looks even better than the original one to me, I love the colour and the circle skirt and the ties are plain adorable. Great job!

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    1. Oh wow, that's high praise indeed! Many thanks!

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  21. So lovely, and I'm sure it's comfortable and wonderful to wear! You look lovely, so elegant and I love the tie! Jane would be proud.

    strugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com

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  22. Marie, it is absolutely gorgeous, and you look stunning in it. I love the colour and the fit is perfect. You did such a great job.

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  23. Oh, this is so beautiful! You look gorgeous! This dress is beyond adorable!

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  24. This is my favorite Mad Men dress yet! The fit is perfect and it's so flattering and cute!

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    1. Wow, thanks so much! I'm sure 1 April over at Julia Bobbin's blog will reveal many more stunning dresses ;o)

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  25. What a perfect pattern, you've made it up and adapted it so well. It really is pretty and being jersey I bet you'll find it super comfy and easy to wear as well as looking gorgeous!

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    1. Winnie, it's so comfy to wear! Something you don't always associate with pretty dresses!

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  26. YAY! Absolutely stunning! I just love it!

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  27. Wow. You are luminous in that dress.

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  28. Im blue with envy now.. thats a perfect mad men dress. i love it x

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  29. Wow, it's an amazing dress and you look gorgeous in it! Love love love the ties and your circle skirt looks all floaty and twirly, I'd just be spinning on the spot permanently every time I wore it ;)

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  30. VERY VERY sute dress and u look perfect in it!
    x

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  31. What a wonderful dress! The perfect pattern, and it looks fabulous on you. This dress challenge has been such fun for us, hasn't it?

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  32. Ahh, stunning dress! You look totally awesome! Love that colour too xxx

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  33. Sigh, Jane back when she was played by a hottie. Not such a big fan of the current one (though I loved her in the Prisoner) in the same part. It annoys me when they switch around auteurs like that. Love the dress btw. Great job.

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  34. I was looking at your Sewn Makes page and I can't believe I missed this amazing dress of yours! What a stunner! And super comfortable in jersey. You must wear it all the time!

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