I’m not a huge one for trends (no asymmetric hemlines or culottes for me, thanks!) but even I couldn’t help but notice the surge in velvet recently. I’ve been totally inspired by all the amazing stretch velvet Appleton Dresses popping up in my Instagram, and I thought I would try my hand at creating a velvet Upton Dress, my woven fit-and-flare sewing pattern.
I picked a really deep forest green velvet from Mood which is a little hard to see in these photos, but it’s has a really gorgeous glimmer when it catches the light. As it happens, this is exactly the colour velvet I wore to my high school dance! Oh, 90s nostalgia.
I went with the V-neckline on the front and back (there’s also a scoop option for the front and high neckline for the back), which is my personal favourite combo on the Upton (I know you’re not supposed to play favourites, but I can’t help it!). Sewing with velvet is always somewhat challenging, but with hand-basting, pressing on another piece of velvet, and my best pal Wonder Tape, it turned out pretty well.
To glam it up, I lengthened it to a just-past-tea length, and I think with the sweep of the pleated skirt, it has jus the right amount of swoosh. I am considering shortening it by a few more inches, but I’m not sure… what do you think? I’m sure a petticoat underneath would also make it ball-worthy… Now I just need a ball to go to!
I definitely feel tres chic wearing it, and I think it’ll be my dress for my family’s visit to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, just after Christmas. I haven’t quite figured out what jewelry to wear with it yet, but as it’s a statement dress in itself, I think it even looks pretty great on its own.
Where do you stand on the velvet trend? Are you a big fan or running rapidly in the other direction? I’m not sure I’m keen on “day velvet” yet, but for the evening, I’m sold!
Jenny this is so beautiful! The colour is wonderful on you; I wouldn’t shorten it, I think the length gives it that evening glam feel. I hope the concert lives up to your lovely dress 🙂
What a beautiful dress! I like the idea of velvet but it always makes me sad that it isn’t warm and cozy where it touches my skin. I am all about the cozy!
You look gorgeous, and green velvet is my favorite! I’ve had a few GV dresses over the years (being a redhead and all). As for jewelry, diamonds of course. Real or fake, but definitely the sparkle is the perfect pairing with green velvet.
I’m with Debbie – diamonds all the way!
This is lovely!! I, too, am totally sucked into this velvet trend…now if only I could actually get something sewn. As far as jewelry…either something super rhinestone-sparkly and shorter or i actually think a long pearl strand could be really pretty. I’m a fan of the 20s-style knotted pearl necklace myself. Or just skip the necklace and go for statement sparkly earrings and a pretty clutch…maybe in a metallic? Lol omg I love acceasories!
This is such a stunning dress, Jenny! It’s definitely ball worthy! As far as jewelry goes — maybe just some drop earrings and a bracelet? Or studs and an exquisite pin? This is just so lux and gorgeous, that it doesn’t need much! And yes, I can definitely get on the velvet train, especially as I was riding it already! I have three velvet dresses, a velveteen coat and a velveteen blazer in the queue! 🙂
Gorgeous colour – I’m hankering after a jewel velvet and I adore the length.
Fabulous! The length is perfect!
Love the length–and the color is perfect on you.
This dress is very beautiful on you. Green velvet for winter evenings is perfect. I used to have a vintage black velvet blazer I wore for day and evening but generally prefer velvet for evening.
As for the length, in my eyes the current longer length feels more traditional (perfect for a holiday concert in London), whereas a length just below the knee would be more current but still classic. Maybe also it’s because this gives me a slightly early-60’s vibe that I am seeing that length. Gold-colored jewelry is always a stunner with dark green! Merry Christmas to you!
You made it? It looks a million dollars on you. The proportions are just right. Lovely a
This is fabulous, Jenny! Love the colour on you too. I’m a big statement earring fan, so I’d say some chandelier earrings with an equally beautiful cuff bracelet, maybe.
Gorgeous!!! As for jewelry, a great cuff bracelet will work and small earrings – let the dress do the talking 🙂
This is SO beautiful Jenny! Stunning 🙂 I think the length is just perfect!
What a stunning evening dress. I love the green velvet. I agree with others, simple sprakly — drop earrings and/or bracelet.
I am generally anti velvet as I, too, had velvet in the 90s. Pair the velvet with an unfortunate princess seamed dress with a very curvaceous teenager unsure of herself and it just brings back all sorts of social anxiety.
However, now that I can sew a princess seamed dress, that actually has enough material and can fit my bust, I will definitely consider it. Now to have an occasion to wear a velvet dress.
LOVE IT! 💚 I’ve got another velvet Appleton cut and ready to stitch away right now and you may have convinced me to get the Upton pattern too, great choices.
Thanks for the reminder re: pressing on another piece of velvet (vs the flat cotton ironing board cover). I am hell bent to make my sister the Poiret cocoon coat of her dreams, and it would be just like me to forget that detail and screw it all up.
Babe-tastic as ever!
I believe this dress is simply stunning. You look awesome!
I just finished hand sewing the hem on my Christmas dress last night- a Colette Laurel shift dress in the exact shade of green stretch velvet. I feel so very glamorous in it- but also kind of like I am wearing a costume one would wear to a Renaissance Festival! I haven’t blogged in many months but I plan on doing a post on it soon.
Love this! Did you decide to hem it or leave as is?
I adore velvet for anything. I was a teen/young adult in the 70s and had a green velvet blazer and a vintage black velvet bed jacket that I wore every day and with everything (mostly with my patched and embroidered jeans). I still think about a midnight blue velvet dress that I passed up in Nordstroms 30 years ago. Seriously. Why haven’t I ever made anything in velvet? What’s my problem?
I adore that green on you and you look stunning. That you’ll be in London wearing it seems absolutely perfect. Just perfect!!!!!
Hi Jen – at which point do you lengthen it? I am planning on an ankle length Upton myself!
At the shorten/lengthen line on the skirt piece
Did this velvet have any stretch in it?
The Upton Dress is designed for non-stretch fabrics, so we wouldn’t recommend pairing a stretch velvet with it. The Appleton Dress, on the other hand, is great for stretch velvet!
-Ayelet at Cashmerette
Jenny, you look like a million bucks in this! So glamorous, and the length is just perfect on you with your heels. I vote for a strand of pearls. Enjoy wearing your fabulous dress!
Did you ever post a photo of you ready for concert in London 2016?