Weekend Review: The Party Dress Book

The Party Dress Book / Mary Adams
NY: Potter Craft, c2010.
160 p.

I picked up this book at the thrift store just before the holidays - I mean, how could I resist it? It looked fun and that impression was right. I enjoyed this one a lot, even if I'll never actually make a little party dress from the included pattern (runs sizes 4 -14, I would fit into the 14) since this isn't my style, to wear anyhow. To look at, it was a delight. 

I didn't know about Mary Adams or her fashion house based in NY in the 80s. But there is quite a bit of discussion of it and the things she made for various celebrities, brides, and so on. That part was so interesting in itself! But there were also great photos of so many dresses. You can really see her vision; almost all of the dresses are similar, highlighting a strapless/halter bodice, fluffy shorter skirts, and ruffles, bias, and lots of poof. She shows some that are a bit different, like her Marie Antoinette inspired dress, which I really liked; it has a squared neckline and wide shoulder straps that are almost cap sleeves. Lots of embellishment, of course! She also loves colour and spends a chapter talking about it, and how to blend layers of organza to get original colours.

And the embellishments and use of fabric are fascinating. She discusses her preferences for scraps, and for cotton organdy which she had to hunt through random NY fabric shops to find. (Now I want some...) The photos show how she creatively used trims and embellishment as well as things like piecing, quilting, french seams, pintucks, darts etc. to create a look. 

After the intro chapters, there is one on techniques, which I was really interested in, there are some unique ideas there. She discusses the things I've just mentioned, and shows how she uses applique, trim, patchwork, ruffles, and my favourite, bias strips. The cover photo shows a black dress which is covered with bias strips just sewn on in even rows, leaving a bit of the black to peek out. I love the effect. 

And the next chapter is more functional, entitled "Sewing Your Dress". As noted there is a paper pattern included in the back of the book if you are into sewing the strapless, fluffy skirt design. I'm sure many would like it! I might have when I was younger, too (in the 80s ;) )

I would say the sewing instruction is not for a rank beginner. There would need to be some familiarity with the basics before you could follow along without panicking, as there isn't a lot of construction advice. This was a great read, though, probably best as a history of her fashion house and a visual feast with lots of embellishment ideas. Along with the bias strip feature, I also liked the way she mixed fabrics and created ruffles, flounces, and an "apron dress" specifically made for Amy Sedaris. I got a lot of enjoyment from this over the holiday break!