Hello everyone! My husband and I had an amazing Valentine weekend. We attended the Faith Fellowship 2016 Marriage Retreat in San Diego, CA. The theme of the retreat was “The Marriage Journey.” On Friday night we attended the “Meet-N-Greet,” where the couples got acquainted through introductions and fun games. On Saturday, during the day, we were blessed by 4 pastors who spoke life into our marriages. The topics were as follows:
- The Journey of Endurance: We can only stay happily married if the reason we’re married is greater than the stresses and trials we face in the marriage.
- The Journey through Brokenness: True healing can only occur when we become less detached to how we became wounded and more attached to our desire to be healed.
- The Journey of Transformation: Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process by which we gain wisdom for a successful marriage.
- The Journey to Purpose: God instituted marriage, and it’s purpose is to honor Him.
On Saturday night, we attended the “Lover’s Gala Dinner & Dance.” Then on Sunday, we attended worship service. This was a weekend to remember and we look forward to returning to the Retreat again next year.
Pink Valentine – What I Wore
I made this lovely evening gown to wear to the Gala Dinner & Dance. When I laid eyes on the pattern for this dress, I knew it would be perfect for the Gala. Then, when I saw this gorgeous fuschia & silver fabric, I almost screamed in the store. It’s exactly the color I was looking for. The bonus — the SPARKLES!!! The sparkles just took me over the top. It’s a fully lined dress, and the pattern calls for the bow to be attached to the back of the neck band. I opted to attach my bow to the front instead. For me, the bow on the front adds an extra touch of elegance to the dress.
Would you like to be able to make your own evening gowns? It really is possible. If you’re interested in learning to sew your own clothes, join me this spring for the free online “Sewing Course for Beginners.” Make sure you subscribe to the blog below for updates so you don’t miss out on the start date announcement for the class.
Create the Look
- Pattern: Butterick 5182 (View C) – Out of Print
- Fabric: Lightweight Metallic Sweater Knit
- Lining: Similar (The one I used from Michael Levine’s is not available online.)
What About You?
When you think of endurance, what do you believe is the key to acquiring this necessary skill? Also, tell me if you’d prefer the bow on the back or the front of the dress. Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Remember: “When you live in your Design, it is from there that you Shine!”
Anita
All photos courtesy of CEMO!
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I absolutely L..O..V..E this dress Anita. I must duplicate this dress. I have a wedding in September/2016 to go to and I found the dress I will be wearing..lol It was such a pleasure meeting you at Mimi G conference a few weeks ago. I love your style. I love your attitude. And most importantly your faith in God!!! Continue to do what you do and I wish you an abundance of success!!
Thank you so much for posting this gorgeousness. I have to attend a ball for our church anniversary this summer and I looked at this pattern but just wasn’t sure. It is a definite possibility now! That pink is perfect – I have to keep it in mind I wanted something with glitter in it and a knit – and that price is right too! This pattern must have just gone out of print because it wasn’t when I saw it online last week! Im a busty sister too so I may go with the back as well but I really like it in front on you. So inspiring!
Oooh no! Thanks for letting me know that the pattern is out of print. I’ll go update that in the post. Maybe you can find it on amazon or ebay. Have fun creating whatever dress you decide on for your church anniversary ball. That sounds like fun!
Yes. I found the pattern on ebay
Yaaay! So glad you were able to find one! Have fun sewing her up!
Thanks! Just got it in the mail. Is your dress backless?
Hi Melissa! Wow, that was fast! Yes, mine is a halter.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, Anita!!!! I am sure you got lots of compliments (especially from your husband)!!!!
Thanks Ruqayyah! Yes, I did get quite a few compliments, and my husband really loved it.
Soooooooo beautiful!
Very classy and elegant 🙂 Anita you always come make and wear your pieces well!
Absolutely stunning! The bow is where it should be!
The bow on the front of the dress gives it a more dramatic appeal. I think it’s very classy! You’ve outdone yourself!?
Absolutely beautiful! You look like a priceless gift with that stunning bow in the front. I love everything about it especially the fabric color and texture. You’ve outdone yourself again!
Awwww, thanks Nahrin!
I would have never thought to use a sweater knit for a gown! I love all the great ideas from all of my sewing sistaz! This is the most! Everytime I think I have a fav you top it!!!!! Keep’em coming!!!
Carol, I actually went looking for a sweater knit for this dress. Finding this fabric was just icing on the cake because I fell in love with eh pattern when I saw it.
Sooooo Classy!!!! I love everything about this .
Thanks so much Carolyn!
You look ABSOLUTELY beautiful. Great job on the dress and congratulations on your blog. I’m going to have to follow your lead and blog more, but I’ve been busy with sooo many sewing projects. I guess I should blog about those. LOL!!!
Yes, yes, yes! LaToria, blog about all that you’re doing with your classes and your students. Oh my goodness, people would love to read about it. I know I would.
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! This is so gorgeous and you look lovely in it. I like the bow in the front, but might try it the other way, too. The photos definitely look like a magazine shoot!
In answer to the other part of your question, I believe endurance is learned behavior. You have to have been through something and come out on the other side victorious to gain endurance. It builds upon itself with each obstacle you face and each victory. Think about how the military trains – they have to endure boot camp first to build up their endurance, and each success brings them closer to the goal. We need trails to have triumphs.
Yes, yes, yes, Sheila! I agree with you. It is in the midst of our trials that we learn to endure. Love the boot camp analogy. Thanks for responding!
Anita this dress is TRULY a vision! I’m a busty girl so I would prefer the bow on the side of the neck or on the back. Great post!
Thanks Su! Yes, I can certainly see the front bow being an issue with my busty sisters. Thank you for stopping by again.
Breathtaking! I never would have thought of using a sweater knit for such an elegant dress. And I agree, I think the bow in the front takes it to the next level. It’s beautiful!
Art, I actually went looking for a sweater knit for this dress. It worked out perfectly because I found it in the exact color I wanted.
OMG Anita!! This is absolutely beautiful!! You’re so elegant!! This is magazine worthy!!
Love! Love! Love it!!
Thanks Yvette!
Gorgeous, honey, just gorgeous!
Thanks Stephanie!
Love it adding to my list …can’t wait for your class know a few people who want to sew n I can only show so much your class would be great
YES! Thanks so much, Tiffany!
I would not have known the bow should have been in the back had you not mentioned it. It looks so elegant in the front. Seems that’s where it’s meant to be. Elegant!!!!
I’m with you on that Tawanna! It really does look like it belongs there.
You look amazing as usual…the dress is stunning and so are you!! Kudos!
Thanks Dara!
OMG….I….I….I ….can’t….breathe! Absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it!!!!
Thanks Paulette!
Very nice…the color is gorgeous. I like the way you turned the bow around to the front. Great job!!
Thanks Paula!