Hello everyone! I have crossed over the threshold and entered into the 50 & Fabulous Club (insert scream)! Where are all my fifty-and-over sew sisters? Can I get a WHOOP?! I know there are some who don’t think it’s proper for a woman to reveal her age, but it’s just not an issue for me, so since I’ve reached this milestone in my life, I’m shouting it out–I’M FIFTY!!! Oh how grateful I am to God for blessing me with LIFE. It’s not the number of years I focus on, rather it’s the “life.” It’s the mistakes & lessons, the unsuccessful attempts & victories (notice I did not say failures), the uncertainties & clarity, the unknown & wisdom, the insecurities & maturity, the closed doors & opened doors, the heart breaks & celebrations, the broken relationships & reconciliations, the searching & revelations—these are the things I celebrate. These are life. These are what God has used to mold me into the person I am today. I will always be a work in progress. He is continuing to teach me, correct me, encourage me, and refine me for His purposes, until the day He takes me home to be with Him in heaven. He IS life!
My birthday was on Monday, August 8th, but I’m celebrating all week. I started the celebration week with my boys on Monday, who took me out to eat and loved on me. Then on Tuesday, my husband came home from work and took me to get my manicure and pedicure. Today is where is gets really exciting, because I have no idea what’s planned. My husband is taking me out and I don’t know where we’re going. I tried to get an idea of what outfit I should bring but he wouldn’t give me much. He just said a sun dress. I really love the element of surprise and he knows it, but I really want to be dressed appropriately for the occasion. Hahaha!
About the Dress
Okay, now let me try to tell you about my dress without jumping out of my seat (insert squeal). The dress was planned around the hat. Look at the hat y’all! Look at the hat! My husband bought this hat for me last year, and I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to rock it. What better time than my 50th Birthday, right? So I took the hat with me to Michael Levine’s Fabric Store in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t believe it when I laid eyes on this fabric. A PERFECT match! I had already picked out the halter dress I wanted to make for the hat, and the fabric is everything I dreamed of and more. It’s a rayon blend and the drape is absolutely perfect for the dress. I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t find the fabric on their website. The dress is fully lined and the pattern has an option for applying netting to the lining for a fuller look, but I opted to go without, even though I purchased the netting, just in case.
I waited until the last minute to start on this dress and ended up sewing it in one day. If not pressed for time, I would have taken a full week on it just because I like to take my time, especially on important projects. From cutting, to final hem, it took me a full 8 hours. Yes, I’m a slow sewer and I like it that way. I had a vision in my head of the finished look, and when I tried it on, I was delighted, because it turned out EXACTLY as I envisioned it. Ooooh, I’m so in love with my dress. It’s so delicate and feminine. It is now in the top five of my favorites.
While this dress is not very difficult to sew, I would recommend it for intermediate sewers and up. As a beginner, I would suggest waiting until you’ve gained some experience. This pattern requires adding a lining on a v-neckline, adding boning to seam allowances, and adding a zipper to a lined garment. An advanced beginner should be able to work it out, but I would caution you to take your time and work in steps. I usually do all my cutting on one day, then spread the sewing out over a few days, when I’m working on a longer project.
The Photo Shoot
I want to give a shout out to our local winery, the AV Winery & Donato Family Vineyard, for allowing us to use their beautiful gazebo for the photo shoot. We are members of their wine club and they are such amazing people. We love interacting with them when we go for our pick ups and they’re always so friendly. They offer tasting, tours, shopping, & vineyard picnics, and a seasonal farmers market. Thank you so much, Donato Family, for helping to make our photo shoot amazing by allowing us the use of your beautiful space.
Create the Look
- Pattern = Simplicity 3823 (View A)
- Fabric = Rayon Blend (Item #R0037-55-6) 87% Rayon, 13% Nylon
- Hat = Dilliard’s (in-store purchase)
Birthday GIVEAWAY!!!
To further add to the excitement of my 50th Birthday celebration, I have a gift for one of my blog subscribers. Make sure you check back on Friday to find out what that gift is and how you can enter a drawing to win it. You don’t want to miss this. It’s FABULOUS!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!
Anita
All Photos Courtesy of CEMO!
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Anita,
First happy belated birthday!
Second, but a very close first ?, you are so pretty!! Fifty, really? I am so glad I found your blog, I just love when I can read from other Christians in the sewing community. As for your dress, I was just daydreaming about finding a pattern to recreate one of my all time fave sundresses and I think I’ve found it with Simplicity 3823. Thanks for sharing your LIFE ?!
Happy belated birthday! You look fabulous! I would’ve never, never guessed you are 50, I thought maybe in your 30’s. God bless you and may you have many blessed days for many more years to come. I love your blog. I just started to sew again so your beginners projects are a great refresher.
My daughter told me about your blog—amazing! You are the most accomplished seamstress I have had the pleasure to follow, thank you. Hope your birthday is wonderful!
Anita, Happy Birthday. The hat makes the outfit! I would like to learn about making a simple coat.
Your tutorials are top notch. Keep up the good work.
Happy Birthday!!! Welcome to the club!!!!
Necklines are my biggest problems…..h e l p !,
Happy 50th birthday Anita. You look amazing. I would love to learn how to make(attach)linings into a jacket please.Or how to make the bust bigger/smaller and get a better fit.
Making 50 look Fabulous!! Happy Belated Burthday!!!
How to size up a pattern….. My daughter us short and heavy. She does have medical problems that cause her weight/size issues. But for example around her arms a very large and the neck area always to large. So how to really make a pattern fit the person when a lot of changes have to be made.
I Praise and Thank – GOD for your birthday and that you use your gift to bless us all
Happy Belated Birthday.. I posted yesterday, but do not see it. So, I am taking a chance of posting again. What I would like to see a class on is matching plaids, strips, etc. I know you said suggest one class we would like to see but using a Serger is one I have a serger and I am so intimidated that I have yet to turn it on. So, with me either of these classes would be GREAT! Happy Birthday week to you and many many more.
Happy Birthday
I would love to see a video on how to sew a hooded blouse that can be worn as a causal attire then turned into a night flare accessory
I Would love To Learn To Make And Attach A women shirt collar
HBD!!! And Many More May The Lord Keep Blessing You And Family Have An Awesome one.
You Look Very Beautiful!
I would like to learn about finishing garments without a serger. Lots of video tutorials use them but at the moment I can’t afford one. Thank you and happy 50th
Peace & Blessings/Love & Light . . . Happy Belated . . . Wishing you much abundance, happiness, joy, and bountiful blessings.
It would greatly be appreciated if you could do a tutorial on linings. Your project #5 The Sheath Dress is very similar to linen dress I bought at vintage store sale that has a silk lining which I would like to duplicate because it is a classic style which never goes out of season. Your videos have helped me reconnect with sewing. Thank you so much. P.S. Your birthday dress is fabulous, so elegant, have put it on my project list; the Brother sewing machine would certainly help.
Happy birthday dear Anita.
Happy birthday and enjoy being 50. It’s a great age I should know I am 51. The dress is beautiful.
Whoop! Thank you!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have an amazing and blessed year because you will find that your fifties are fabulous!
Whoop! Thank you!
You look great! Beautiful dress and hat for a beautiful and talented lady. Fifty? No!!! You are gorgeous.
Very, very, pretty dress! It looks beautiful on you along with “the hat”!! Just gorgeous!
Have a very Happy Birthday week.. Enjoy it! Blessed?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN INSIDE AND OUT MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOUR LIFE
YOU HAVE TRULY BLESSED OTHERS IN LIFE WITH YOUR SPECIAL GIFT GOD BLESS YOU AND ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL WEEK OF YOUR BIRTHDAY ENJOY AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!!
Happy Birthday! I just turned 60 in June and I am so thankful that God has kept me all these years. It’s hard for me to believe that number because I am so young at heart. That hat is BEAUTIFUL! you look like a little Southern Belle.
Whoop! Happy belated Birthday to you Jeannie!
Beautiful and Happy Birthday!
Wow! So pretty in pink! Glad you had a great birthday and hope for many more to come!
Happy Birthday Anita! The Hat the Dress Awesome! Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Anita! Your videos and blog are an inspiration and a blessing
Brotha buy a hat NAILED it!! That dress is beautiful and the hat is the cherry on top!? Whoop whoop!?❤️
Yep, without the hat, it’s just a cute dress. The hat makes it!
Classy, elegant and beautiful and of course the hat, that hat is absolutely fabulous. Happy birthday.
Beautiful sentiments. I celebrate 50 next year. Very excited. Can’t wait to start sewing with you.
Happy birthday!
you are a beautiful person inside and out. though Im not at 50 yet, I only hope Im as fab as you. I love reading your posts and I can see GODS blessings on you and I love your tutorials
Happy birthday Anita! It looks like you had a wonderful time at the winery. Your dress is beautiful and matches that hat perfectly. Hope you enjoy the rest of the week.
Happy birthday to u. My birthday was Tuesday! The hat is fabulous.
Happy Belated Birthday Angela!
Happy Birthday Anita, you go head with your bad self love that hat on you Ms. Anita , I turned 55 in March. So enjoy your Fabulous 50th Birthday and may you see many more.
Happy birthday girlfriend! You’re looking great! Love the dress and the hat is exquisite! Your husband is worth his weight in gold! Hope you have a wonderful birthday week!!!
A very happy and blessed birthday to you. I just turned 70 and feel blessed that I’ve lived a long and healthy life. You look absolutely stunning as always. That dress is ‘YOU.’ I’m a beginner taking your classes and aspire to one day be able to make that dress. As I stated in a previous post, my dear mother was a designer and a primo seamstress. Unfortunately, her gift did not transfer to her daughter as she always wanted me to learn to sew. She was a perfectionist and insisted I do things perfectly even though I wasn’t at that level. I’d leave out a lot of little details thinking no one would notice but she always said that nobody would notice those little details but they will notice if you fail to do them as your garment will scream ‘HOMEMADE.’ I’m so grateful to have found your tutorials as you are detail oriented. God bless you on your 50th and in the year ahead.
Hey Marilyn! Whoop! Keep sewing and you will get better with time.
Whoop! No, girl, you canNOT be 50. You look like you’re about 28.
Keep smiling and loving and shining, and happy birthday!
Whoop!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANITA!! 50 is spectacular on you! You make me look forward to 50! I hope I am as beautiful, wise and happy as you are when I reach my milestone!
Happy Birthday Anita!
Wow, you look like you could still be in your 30’s.
May God continue to bless you.
Happy Birthday Anita, such a beautiful and classy lady.
Happy Birthday Anita. You look fabulous as always. Yes, tell the world how old you are. We are living in God’s design and I take pleasure in letting the world know I’m 52. Welcome to the club. It’s fabulous here. Continue to enjoy my friend and be blessed
Hey Tawanna! Whoop! Living in God’s design! YES!
Happy birthday!!! That hat, that dress… just fabulous!!!! You are such a classy lady! Hope you had a birthday celebration fit for such a wonderful, beautiful, classy and talented lady.
Happy birthday week Anita! Luv the dress, and that hat is to die for!!!
Happy Birthday!!! May God continue to bless you with many more years. You look amazing.
Hello Anita, Happy 50th. You don’t look your age, God has been so kind to you and has you in His Grace. Always be happy as you are and FYI life gets better from hereon. Thanks for sharing your talents with us all. It’s a beautiful dress and even and looks so much more beautiful on you.
Happy birthday enjoy your day.love the dress
Happy Birthday!!
You look georgeous darling in that pink.
marie
Happy 50th, Anita! You don’t look a day over 30. You’re beautiful inside and out. May you be blessed with many wonderful years filled with health, love and prosperity. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and wonderful pieces. I’m really looking forward for more sew-along. Have a wonder birthday week and do please share your eventful week. God Bless.
A big birthday shout out to you, and praying this year brings many blessings to you lovely Lady.
Not only do you sew amazing garments, and look fabulous in them, you are a talented writer as well. I love reading your story’s.
The photos are exquisite !!!!!
Happy Birthday! I will be 50 on the 21st. Trying to think of something exciting to do.
Hi Kellie! Here’s an early Happy Birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you, ad may God continue to bless you!
Happy birthday, and may God continue to bless you.
Just beautiful! Love the hat and dress….Happy Birthday to you Anita! Picture perfect
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! GOD’S RICHEST AND BEST TO YOU and your FAMILY!
Happy belated birthday Anita!!! You are lovely inside and out. The Lord bless you and keep you and may He shine His face on you forever….. Beautiful craftsmanship of your birthday dress. Great taste on your husband’s choice for your hat.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Anita!!! Fabulous 50 and Slaying!! You wear 50 well, let everyone know!Once again the dress and hat simply beautiful! Enjoy every minute of your birthday celebration!!
Absolutely beautiful. HAPPY BIRTHDAY..ENJOY
So lovely as always Ms. Anita! You just make everything look so effortless! Happy 50th, you look amazing for your age. I’m with you, revealing my age is not an issue for me either because it’s another year of life and blessings. I love how you rejoice at this and give glory to our Lord for not only your blessings, but your setbacks that lead to these blessings. I love your attitude my sister! It’s so refreshing to know there are others that share the same attitude. May God continue to always bless you abundantly!
I actually can’t wait to join you in the 50’s club…a little less than 3 years and I’ll be there! Just like fine wine, you only get better with age! (wink-wink)
I know you mentioned your birthday was this past Monday, but I just had to “sing” this to you:
This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad in it and be glad in it!
Again, Happy Birthday Ms. Anita! Continue to enjoy your God given day and week.
Nolaaaaaaa! Girl, you got me over here singing along. Yes! This is the day that the Lord had made. I will rejoice and be glad in it! Yes!
Gorgeous, as always, Ms. Anita! I pray that I can be as fabulous as you when I cross that threshold. Happy belated birthday and may God continue to bless and keep you and allow you to celebrate many more years of fabulosity?
Happy belated birthday! Welcome to the 50 and FABULOUS club ! Have your mailman brought your application for AARP? I wanted to know how do they know. . LOL! I am proud of you and your anointing! I smile back at all of your inspiring and motivating pictures. They motivate me more. You just couldn’t imagine. At church during devotion they would sing a song. It goes, This little light of mines, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine let it shine. Your light shines bright. Keep on letting it shine.
Oh, oh, oh! Yes, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!!!
Yes, got my AARP mail a week before my birthday! LOL!
Happy 50th birthday, Anita. Like you, I have no problem telling my age. I believe its an honor that the Lord blesses you with another year of living. I take a full 7 days of vacation every year for my birthday, which is next month. So I’m gonna give you a “Whoop, Whoop”. I’m loving that dress and have the pattern. So eat, drink and celebrate your life! See you next year at the conference.
Whoop! Here’s an early Happy Birthday to you! See you next year!
Happy Birthday Anita! I am in love with this dress and the color <3 All I can say is WOW! I can't wait until the day that I have enough experience under my belt to attempt this sweet morsel. I especially loved your first paragraph. I am always excited to see what you are going to say and do next! Thanks for your inspirational words from a sister who is in her 50's also! God Bless <3
Whoop! Thanks Laurie!
You are a fabulous 50! ..but your kind of fabulous-ness is ageless, Anita. Happy Birthday! 🙂
Just lovely!! Happy Birthday to you!! Best wishes for many more years to come.
Happy Birthday! Champagne, balloons, confetti and cupcakes to you. You look incredibly fabulous. Like you, I celebrate my solar return all month! May you cup continue to overflow with an abundance of beautiful blssings.
Beautiful! Happy Birthday!