Mad Men Challenge Complete!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Shoo Weee!  I completed my dress for the Mad Men Challenge! I worked into the wee hours of the night last night to finish it on time.  I ended up chosing a dress Megan wore last season as my inspiration.  First look at it and I was in love.  Green is my favorite color, I love 60's style dresses and the keyhole neckline opening, what more do you need?


I would die if I could get my hands on this exact fabric.  I'm absolutely positive it's probably polyester.  I did find a suitable alternative at Joann's, design wise.  It some kind of cotton with a slight stretch to it so it doesn't lay quite like Megan's does, but the fabric had a fun green and blue geometric print which is what I was looking for.  Oh and have you seen this exact dress being sold by Banana Republic??


$130!! I was hoping it would go on sale and it did for $99! Thanks but I think my version will do just fine.

collage

I used vintage Simplicity 8722.  It's marked as a "jiffy" dress on the pattern and I assume this is because it can be made in a flash.  I think they marked my pattern wrong and meant to tag it as "eternity" because that's how long it took me. 

The invisible zip proved to be a challenge. I haven't inserted too many of these so every time it comes to put one in I get confused and have to revisit a you tube video.  This time I watched Sunni's free class on Craftsy, "Mastering Zipper Techniques".  It was a big help and it's amazing how Sunni's zippers look so damn perfect! I hope to be that one day!  Another time consumer for me on this dress was the keyhole neckline.  I was so scared about it right off the bat that once it came time to do the deed I found myself doing everything else but.  You know like cleaning out the refrigerator, shampooing carpets, going in for a root canal....  But seriously there was nothing to be scared about.  The instructions were pretty clear.  To help me stitch a perfect keyhole I traced the keyhole pattern on tracing paper, cut it out and laid it on my fabric and traced around the cutout.  Easy peasy...

keyhole detail

inside

Beside sewing the keyhole another first for me was the back contour darts and finishing the armholes with bias binding.  (I also referred to video tutorials).  I intended on sleeves but when I pinned them on and tried it on it was way too constricting.  I always have this problem with sleeves and I can't figure out what the problem is.  Am I too wide in the shoulders maybe? Do I need to adjust the  armscye (the world itself sounds intimidating)? I rather like the way it looks without sleeves anyways and I plan on pairing it with a white cropped cardigan (for the office cuz it's always cold).

inerds

Only other change I made to the pattern besides leaving it sleeveless was to lengthen it.  I wanted the dress to hit right below my knees.  In the end I also brought in the side seams by 1/2 inch to give it a better fit.

It was too windy for outside pictures so I had to stay inside and use my imagination.....

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MAD WOMAN
SEASON 1 ; EPISODE 1
STARRING:  
MS. SHANNON as the Mad Woman
VITO as the perplexed Pug

Shannon coming home from a hard days work is surprised to see her husband has arrived home before her.  He usually doesn't make it home until an hour or so after her.  Excited to see him she rushes in the house.  Upon entering she hears some noises upstairs in the bedroom.  She slowly walks up the stairs and opens the bedroom door.
  
caught red handed

She's taken aback and cannot believe what she's seeing.  She screams in terror and Vito rushes in...

vito steps in

"Hey what's all the noise about, you woke me up from my nap? And what for may I ask?" he barks.

  why you piece of

"Why you no good sneaky *beeeeep*" she yells.  
Vito barks, "I don't understand, what's the big deal??  He's only eating a bowl of Ben & Jerry's Cannoli ice cream in bed!" 
"Only a bowl you say Vito??" Ms. Shannon yells, "It looks like he's devouring it right out of the carton and it's a limited batch.  He knows cannolis are my favorite. Why I never even got to taste it first before he ate it all! And they aren't going to make it ever again! I'll never get to try it! Oh the horror and agony!!"
"Calm down crazy lady! There's more in the freezer, follow me!" Vito leads the way.
With a look of disgust Ms. Shannon looks at her husband before walking out the door and says, "You better hope this Pug is right!"
 
  look of disgust

Ms. Shannon walks back down to the kitchen where Vito has a spoon and a pint of Ben & Jerry's cannoli ice cream waiting for her on the table. She sits down at the table and for once all is right in the world...

victory


~ THE END ~


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62 comments

  1. thequirkypeachApril 21, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    LOVE IT! Amazing dress, and inspiration :) The keyhole is my favorite! I totally understand what you mean when you feel intimidated by the mere word "armscye" - lol... And your story is hilarious! Way to go, Vito :)

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  2. Janelle @ emmaline bagsApril 21, 2013 at 10:31 PM

    First off, the dress is just gorgeous and so are you in it! Secondly, your episode is halarious and perfect. Great job. This is a great post. Make sure you share it and link it up wherever you can!!

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  3. Rebecca WagnerApril 21, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    Lol gorgeous :)

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  4. Cari HomemakerApril 21, 2013 at 11:24 PM

    Gorgeous dress and ridiculously funny post. As far as sleeves go, I'd start by measuring the sleeve width at the bicep area against your bicep measurement. If the measurements are extremely close, you may need to adjust for sleeve width. If I don't make that adjustment, it feels like my dresses/blouses are pulling across the back, even though it is a sleeve problem.

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  5. HouseOFpinheiroApril 22, 2013 at 2:00 AM

    This dress is amazing and you made me laught out loud with this post ...

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  6. AntheaApril 22, 2013 at 2:10 AM

    That's a great dress! Well done!

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  7. Juliet ThomasApril 22, 2013 at 3:06 AM

    Such a cute dress, and I loved the story!

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  8. sarahApril 22, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    lovely dress, I much prefer yours to the banana republic one, really funny post too!

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  9. prttynpnkApril 22, 2013 at 7:00 AM

    Nicely done- you don't need Banana Replublic!

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  10. Amanda AdamsApril 22, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    BWAH HA HA! That is golden! What a rad frock AND any Vito featured storyline gets an Emmy from me!

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  11. ShelleyApril 22, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    Omg. Hysterical dramatic photos. You are a gem, and Vito is a star. Freakin' adoring that keyhole neckline. And yay, you used Sunni's zipper class too!! How awesome is that course?
    You look gorgeous. Such a cool Megan dress! Totally cuter than the BR one, even if it did take an eternity. :) Worth the work. Congrats!!

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  12. Jamie EversoleApril 22, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    Hahaha! Awesome dress- the trick with the keyhole cut out is brilliant! Hysterical post! Vito saves the day! I love the cannoli ice cream...mmmmmm...

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  13. alexandra masseyApril 22, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    I will have to keep your keyhole trick in mind, that's brilliant. Awesome dress--its better than the Banana version :)

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  14. misscrayolacreepyApril 22, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    Your dress is way cuter than Megan's! And it looks so clean and professional!

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  15. soisewedthisApril 22, 2013 at 4:35 PM

    cute little photo story! love the dress, i almost bought that exact fabric!

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  16. Stephanie FarinelliApril 22, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Your dress looks fabulous!

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  17. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:06 PM

    lol! Thank you!

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  18. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks!!

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  19. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    Thank you!!

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  20. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:08 PM

    Thank you! haha! That is the one and only time Vito will ever be allowed on the counter again.

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  21. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Thank you! You should really go buy you some. I love it.

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  22. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Why thank you!!

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  23. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:09 PM

    Thank you very much!

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  24. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:10 PM

    hehe! Vito wants to know where his actors pay is! lol Thank you!

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  25. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:10 PM

    Thank you! Vito is a good little feller.

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  26. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Thank you! I've been using this trick for sewing the front fly on pants too. A lot easier than all those pins.

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  27. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:13 PM

    Thank you! Yum isn't it the best!

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  28. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Thank you so much sweets!! Vito is a ham alright!

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  29. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Why myself and Vito thank you very much!

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  30. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:14 PM

    Thank you!

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  31. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    Thank you!!

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  32. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:15 PM

    Thanks! yeah we don't need no stinkin' banana republic!!

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  33. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    Thank you! That final ice cream shot is making me hungry!

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  34. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks! :)

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  35. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Thank you!

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  36. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks Anthea!

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  37. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    hehe!! Thanks!

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  38. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    Thank you I will give that a try. That's the problem I have, it feels like I'm going to rip the back out of my shirts!

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  39. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Thanks! :)

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  40. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Thanks so much!!

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  41. ShanniLoves...April 22, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    Thank you! Vito is a hero!

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  42. Clipped CurvesApril 23, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Still giggling to myself... great post and lovely dress.

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  43. BeccaApril 23, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    I love it! You look beautiful in green. Great job on the "firsts" that you tackled for this project.

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  44. ShanniLoves...April 23, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    Thanks!

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  45. ShanniLoves...April 23, 2013 at 2:35 PM

    Thank you!!

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  46. soisewedthisApril 23, 2013 at 2:45 PM

    saw this and thought of you and vito:
    http://nettevivante.blogspot.com/2013/04/walking-big-pug.html

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  47. GingerApril 23, 2013 at 3:21 PM

    Oh, Vito... what a dreamboat! Love his face! The dress is way cute-- you did such a great job, and it's super wearable!

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  48. ShanniLoves...April 23, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    that is so freaking cute!! I love the little one she made even better!

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  49. ShanniLoves...April 23, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Thanks you! Hugs from Vito!

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  50. tania@sewitanyway.wordpressApril 25, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    Love your dress! And so much nicer than the one for sale! I really like the keyhole neckline... maybe I'll add that to my list of things to try, too...

    Enjoy your ice cream :)

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  51. photosarahApril 25, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    your dress is great! I love the fabric, and the keyhole looks great!

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  52. JoApril 26, 2013 at 3:58 AM

    Looks great! And you crack me up! :) Lol at the "eternity" dress. I'm so glad it turned out well for you! :D

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  53. ShanniLoves...April 26, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    Thank you! :)

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  54. ShanniLoves...April 26, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    Thanks a bunch! Oh and I did enjoy that ice cream!!

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  55. ShanniLoves...April 26, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Thanks!! :)

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  56. Rochelle NewApril 26, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Hahaha! You and Vito are the best. Hilarious! I love the dress and I think the fabric you picked is perfect! Well done :)

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  57. GjeometryApril 28, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    AHHHH, Shannon this dress is absolutely gorgeous! You look so great in it. I would wear this every day, if I were you! Lol. And, I've never seen the show, but I am fairly positive that your's and Vito's version is way better. Well done!

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  58. ShanniLoves...April 29, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    Awe darn it! Well there's always next time. Thanks! :)

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  59. ShanniLoves...April 29, 2013 at 8:36 PM

    Thank you!! :)

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  60. ShanniLoves...April 29, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Thanks Rochelle!! :)

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