Of Flattery & Tweaks

When I see an interesting garment, I mentally take it apart and analyse the fabric and pattern pieces. I enjoy the thrill from challenging myself to replicate the style, if only in my head.

Likewise, I hope our Ogas-at-the-top squeal with glee (I recommend a high-pitched “weeeeeee”) and then proceed to challenge themselves to replicate when they see interesting countries where systems and processes work beautifully for the benefit of all.

How to sew a chiffon maxi gown

Switzerland seems like a fine model, and there isn’t a patent or copyright law on countries as far as I know. Besides, imitation is supposedly the best form of flattery.

So, Dear Nigerian leaders, kindly flatter the Swiss, make them blush so hard from your flattery, that Mac Cosmetics would feel compelled to release a limited edition lip colour (preferably matte) aptly named “Swiss Red”, matching the distinct shade of a blushing, flattered Swiss.

Admittedly, what works for one country might not work the exact same for another as is,  some concepts aren’t a one-size-fits-all. This is where native sense comes in handy for infusing a few custom-sized tweaks here and there, because some people are naturally wired to outsmart the system, seeking for loopholes to twat like Pokemon.

Without mincing words, the thrill of self-enrichment at the expense of others is like a determined Mammywater, you cut off her shiny tail and three more immediately grow back in the same place like a reverse-hydra. She splashes water over your head taunting, laughing and wriggling away, leaving you wondering about Victor Uwaifo’s hit song.

It is therefore imperative that all such watery loopholes be blocked with cunny man die, cunny man bury am laws, quite like the recent Whistle-blowing policy.

Often over-flogged, still, politics will always give food for thought.

Anyway, when I watched the video to Adele’s “Send my love to your new lover” I was mesmerised by the dress she wore and I knew I wanted a similar dress.

A Google search later, and I learned that it was a  $7,995 Dolce & Gabbana silk chiffon dress which flew off the shelves shortly after the video debuted.  As if once one encased their own mortal bodies in said dress they’d immediately develop the Adele-like tendency of releasing back to back hits, and in that heavenly voice, no less.

Truthfully, it’s a rather elementary design, but the wow-factor is the fabric.

The floral print is acclaimed to have Sicilian influences, and seems to me like what a Mafia matriarch would don all day every day, while ordering the assassination of her lover’s almond-eyed other lover in one breath, and commanding the harvesting of plump olives in another breath.

I read 3 of Mr. Mario Puzo’s excellent books recently, so I do know these things.

Well, I found this pretty polyester chiffon at Lagos Island Market and it seemed perfect for this sewing project. I purchased 5 yards.

Underlined bodice

The bodice was drafted using my basic sloper, with the bust darts transferred to the waist line.

I opted to underline rather than line the bodice but left the sleeves sheer, and bound the hem with bias tape.

Simple jewel neckline 

I made one tweak to the original design, after binding the neckline with bias tape, I hand sewed a pink velvet ribbon using firm discrete stitches which added a vintage-y touch to the dress.

How to sew a chiffon maxi gown

Skirt was gathered with hand stitches using a dirndl silhouette, which is basically one large rectangle scrunched to my waist width at the top edge. It was fully lined, both shell and lining were hemmed with a narrow double fold machine stitch.

How to sew a chiffon maxi gown

My curiosity got the better of me, and I must confess that I did try to break into song after wearing my new dress to see if my vocal range had improved. No such luck, Adele remains the sole Queen of that particular throne. 😉

Sign

 

 

Portraits by Chuck Daniels Photography

74 comments

  1. This is so lovely.. and it looks really nice on you.. can you please make a Video on how to make this lovely dress.
    I just made iro and buba following ur video instructions on YouTube..

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  5. Awwww. you really make me smile Nedu. I love how passionate you are about your craft. You imitated Adele’s dress beautifully and for a fraction of the price which must have given you an extra kick. Ooooh I love that song too, I used to have a ritual of soaking in the bath with it on. As for our oga’s at the top, would be great if they thiefed a better ruling system…tsigh…have a lovely Saturday hon! x

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    1. Hello Biki dear,

      Thank you so much for reading this piece.

      Adele’s music is so soothing. Ah, a teeny weeny fraction of the price, made me happy too. Lol

      Yes o, they should at least thief good things. XD

      Have a fantastic rest-of-the-week.

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    1. Hey Dana,

      “Talented” sounds super grown up. Yayyyy! Lol

      Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂

      Have a fabulous rest-of-the-week.

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  9. with the way this madam “rubs it in”….there’s no way i wont learn to sew! NSC April 2017…here i come! im a chiffon freak and so I MUST MAKE THIS DRESS…….lol….someday. awesome work Nedu.

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    1. Hi ‘Seun,

      Lol… Looking forward to having you at the April Sewing Workshop.

      Thank you for stopping by! 🙂

      Enjoy the rest of the week.

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  11. I’m sure you’re not that bad at singing. You’re superb at writing and sewing, so you’re obviously multi-talented. The dress is gorgeous. And it just occurred to me that you’re the only sewista blogger I know, you chose your niche well.

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    1. Hi Oyinda,

      You are far too kind. Ah, my singing is barely tolerable. XD

      Come to think of it, the other sewista blogs I know aren’t in the Nigerian blogsphere. Thank you so much for stopping by.

      Have a great weekend!

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  12. I’m no flower girl but that photo of you by the white curtains = dreamily beautiful.
    Plus the velvet ribbon around the neck is such a genius piece!

    This line – ‘seems to me like what a Mafia matriarch would don all day every day, while ordering the assassination of her lover’s almond-eyed other lover in one breath, and commanding the harvesting of plump olives in another breath’. I can totally see it.

    Our leaders are like those kids whose Nigerian mums would say “See your mates…” and “is it not your mate that did this and that…”. They don’t ever learn anything!

    You’re the best Nedu!.

    Taking Stock: 12 & Hidden Figures
    http://www.skynotfancy.com

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    1. Hi Sky,

      Lol… @ “See your mates” Exactly! Do other countries have 2 heads?! XD

      Ah, I’m glad I added the velvet ribbon, it was actually an afterthought. I’m not flower power sort either but I guess the floral overdose won me over, I literally look like a bouquet in this dress!

      Thank you such for reading this and for your sweet compliments, it means a lot to me.

      Have a fan weekend.

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    1. Hi Yewande,

      Lol @ “Local” I thank my sewing books for doing their bit.

      Thank you so much for your kind compliment. 😊

      Have a super weekend.

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  16. Awwww Nedu, somehow your ability to weave every other thing into fabric leaves me speechless every single time. This dress. Sigh. Is beautiful. Sighs again. Have a lovely week.

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    1. Hi Chibugo,

      Oh, thank you so much!

      I suppose sewing and life aren’t that much different, we piece things together to achieve an objective 😄

      Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. Hi Uju

      Lol @ “wax lyrical”. For some reason, your comment read like poetry to me. 😀

      Thank you so much for your kind compliment.

      Have a delightful weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Hi Osham,

      Lol… @”Greek mythology” You are a bookie! That’s very nice.

      Thank you so much for your kind compliment, I really love this dress.

      Have a lovely weekend. 😊

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    1. Hi Berry,

      THANK YOU! Your kind words put a beautiful smile on my face. 😀

      Lol… Some of our political leaders seem to borrow only unsavoury behaviour, they’ve become quite the comedians these days.

      Best wishes for the rest of the week.

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    1. Hi Ijeoma,

      @”Splufic” sounds so important. XD

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Ah, one must know their strengths and their non-strengths. Singing is not my forte, I’ll stick with dressmaking. Lol

      Have a happy rest-of-the-week!

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  24. Hahaha oh lawd! I can imagine you trying to break into Adele’s voice. So funny.
    I love the way you weave whatever you want to say into sewing. Who knew politics and stiches could fit so well??
    Nicely put together outfit. You go girl!

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    1. Hi Presh,

      Well, one tried. XD

      Ah, politics will fit rather well with most things, too much drama in there!

      Thank you so much for your kind words.

      Have a delightful week.

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    1. Hello Timi,

      Ah, I should have paid the photographer extra, I’m very pleased with his work.

      Lol… Yes, I have. XD

      Thank you so much for your kind words, enjoy what’s left of the weekend.

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  29. My dear,

    That dress. Is Everything. 😍😍😍 I, too, marveled when I saw Adele wearing it, but alas, I wasn’t given your gifts to use a needle and thread and turn fabric into wonder. If anything, I know how to effectively (or ineffectively) cause harm to myself whenever a needle comes across these fingers. Le sigh. My mother’s sad firstborn. 😂 This was also written like a dream. 👏🏾🙌🏾

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    1. Hallo Milady,

      Lol @ “Mother’s sad first born”. I recall seeing a post about your sewing class (mis)adventures.

      If one is lacking in the singing department, they might as well dress like Adele. 😉

      Thank you so much for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the weekend!

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    1. Hi Chuma,

      Lol… Ah yes! Free Swiss visa would be the well-roasted groundnut sprinkled atop the country imitation garri.

      Thank you so much for stopping by, have a great weekend! 🙂

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