Hello everyone! I hope yesterday was a Happy Valentine’s Day for you. My husband and I celebrated by attending a Marriage Retreat over the weekend. This is our 3rd year celebrating with Faith Fellowship Church at their Annual Marriage Retreat.
Let’s Get LIFTed – Marriage Retreat
The theme for this year’s marriage retreat was “Let’s Get LIFTed.” LIFT = Living In Faith Together (each day). The weekend festivities included the following:
Friday Evening- Meet & Greet – Each couple took turns introducing themselves to the group. Then we were given gift bags and dismissed for Date Night.
Saturday Morning – Speakers – The first speaker spoke on the topic of Putting Fun In The Marriage. He shared some of the things he and his wife do to keep their marriage alive and exciting, and encouraged us to do what we enjoy with each other.
The second speaker’s topic was Praying For Your Spouse, and she discussed the importance of praying for our spouses daily. Here’s a brief summary of her message.
- The institution of marriage is under attack and without prayer we are vulnerable.
- Our children are learning how to treat their spouses as they witness how their parents treat each other.
- We must be content with what we have and not compare our spouses to others.
- God will deal with us when we complain to Him about our spouses. Instead of fixing the spouse, He will show us the imperfections that we possess, which causes us to see fault with the spouse.
- When we neglect praying for our spouses, it’s like sending them out into the world naked and unprotected.
Saturday Evening – Dinner & Dance Gala – All the couples got dressed up in their finest and gathered for a lovely dinner and dancing. The ladies wore beautiful dresses, and the husbands were decked out in their sharp suits.
Sunday Morning – Church Service – We were not able to stay for the morning service because I had to be back in town at our church for a Bible Doctrine Class. I didn’t want to miss the class because we only have two lessons left and I have not missed a single one.
Bonus: There was also a wedding ceremony on Saturday just before the Dinner Party. A young couple exchanged their vows before God in the presence of their church family. They were so cute and I pray that their union will be blessed as they begin their LIFT journey together. They are surely surround by a multitude of strong couples to help encourage and mentor them along the way.
Valentine’s Day Dress 2017 – Red Dress – Vogue 1531
When you say, “Gala,” you KNOW the first thing a seamstress will consider is THE DRESS. After going through my pattern stash, I settled on Vogue 1531. I fell in love with this pattern the moment I laid eyes on it and the fabric has been in my stash since mid-2016. I picked it up at the Michael Levine Loft, and knew it would be used for my Valentine’s Day Dress for this year. I had originally planned on making a floor-length gown for the Gala, so when I chose Vogue 1531, my intention was to add length and fullness to the bottom of the skirt (like a mermaid dress). However, after working on the dress for 2 days and running out of time, I decided to leave it short. I wasn’t too thrilled with having to do this because I prefer to wear my dresses and skirts below the knees. However, it was too late to change it, so I went with the flow. I figured wearing the cowl pulled up as a hood would give the dress that dramatic look I was seeking. Now that it’s all done and the Gala is over, I’m really glad I didn’t make it into an evening gown because now I will get more wear from it. I can wear it on a special dinner date with my husband or any event that requires dressy attire. I will probably make it again, but in a woven fabric (maybe).
Create the Look!
- Pattern = Vogue 1531
- Fabric = This particular fabric is not on the website. Both knits and wovens will work for this pattern.
- Shoes = Rhinestone Evening Sandals
- Clutch = Local Mall (No website)
Updated Information:
- Backless Bra = Braza Deep Plunge Bra (This is the bra I wore.)
- Backless Bra = Silicone Lift Bra (This is for the voluptuous lady who needs more support.)
What About You?
What About You?Did you make a dress for Valentine’s Day?
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!
Anita
Meet CEMO – my husband, photographer, videographer and biggest supporter! Thank you, my Valentine, for all you do! I love you!
(All Photos Courtesy of CEMO – except the one I took of him!)
I’m planning on making this in a neoprene
Beautiful! I love this in red!
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Anita, recently you had two dresses that you made on the McCalls’site, one was long with a cape top in a patterned fabric and the other was street length also in a patterned fabric with three pleats on the side to give a draped effect and sleeves that were split and appeared to be dolman type. I would love the pattern numbers for these two dresses. They were both ITY knit fabric from Michael Levine. I have placed two orders wiyh Levine since seeing your dresses. Thanks in advance, Carol
Hi Carol! Here are the two links to the posts that include all the information for those dresses.
Cape-style dress: https://www.anitabydesign.com/mccalls-7566-cape-style-maxi-dress-great-news-great-news/
Wrap-style dress: https://www.anitabydesign.com/mccalls-7567-pattern-review/
Have fun sewing your dresses! I’m so glad to know the dresses inspired you. So exciting!
Beautiful: your dress and your weekend! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you GiGi!
Congratulations on the 1 year Anniversary. I saw this pattern when it first came out and I hadn’t given it much thought until I saw your Valentines day version. Needless to say the next time Vogue is on sale I’ll be adding V1531 to my collection. Also, I just finished watching your clutch purse tutorial I’ll be making that as well.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Awesome Tanya! Enjoy making your dress and clutch purse.
Anita I saw you post this dress. You look absolutely incredible. The color choice suits you! I can’t wait for the bag tutorial!
Thanks Cynthia!
Anita, As always you did a beautiful on your dress, one day I hope and pray the I will be able to sew beautiful outfits like you.
Hi Gale! Thank you! Just keep sewing sister. Just keep sewing. We get better the more we sew.
OMG! Can you get anymore beautiful??!! This dress is on fire!…stunning (or any other words for that matter!) can say how gorgeous you look in it! I love it!!
Good day Anita. The valentine day dress vogue 1531 is featured in the Dinner date dress sew a long Facebook group. Since your feature on the mccalls group more people have joined. Check it out. Enjoy you’re weekend.
Thanks so much Beverly! I’ve joined the group and looking forward to seeing all the beautiful versions of this dress.
My goodness, you are on fire!! ? That dress is gorgeous, you should be on the cover!!
Thanks Mz. Choize!
Happy Thursday Anita,
I love love your weekly post. I am very happy to see your Valentine’s Day Dress post on the McCalls Pattern Company blog. Such a lovely and classy dress. Kudos to you. Thanks so much for your positive influence to sewist everywhere.
Beverly
Oh Beverly! Thank you so much, my sew sister!
I loooove this. How did you find sewing it. Can you do a pattern review. I started sewing this and am not done.
Hi Monde! Here’s a link to the review I wrote on Pattern Review. https://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/132398
Thank you
You look beyond stunning in that red dress and the back is to die for. I do have one request. Could you possibly show more patterns that are designed for people, like me, who do not have such lovely figures and cannot wear skin tight clothing? If I wore that gorgeous dress, I’d look like a stuffed sausage walking down the street. I’m almost finished making Dress #6 in the Beginners Sewing Class. I need more easy patterns that don’t cling to my chubby body. Also, will you ever come out with a how-to video on the robes you made for your men? My son is still waiting. I have the pattern and the gray fabric but am not confident enough to begin. He’s coming to see me this summer and is expecting to take it home with him. PLEASE! I’m desperate. Thank you.
Hi Marilyn! I totally understand your position in wanting more loose fitting clothing. While I do sew some items that are not form-fitting, the majority of my clothes are fitted because that’s my style. Following the techniques you’ve learned from the sewing course, you can choose patterns that accommodate your personal style and create pieces that look great on your body.
The robe tutorial is coming sister. I told my husband just yesterday, while we were shooting a new tutorial that the next one MUST be the robe because I have someone waiting. I have already purchased the fabric, so it’s next in line.
Outstanding…..
Thanks Tanja!
Ms. Anita you look gorgeous, you and your husband look fabulous
Thanks Angela!
gorgeous.
Thanks Amina!
Beautiful dress – you look gorgeous. And I wish you and your husband many more years of happiness together.
Thanks Tomasa!
Exactly what type of knit did you use
Hi Sheila! It’s a ribbed, sweater knit! That’s all I know. When shopping at the Loft, all fabric is stuffed into boxes, without labels.
Oh girl! You did that! That’s why Cecil is skinnin’ and grinnin’!
LOL! Thank you Erica!
Beautiful and classy….Always! You and your husband look so nice.
Thank you Aldrena!
Yes. Yes. YASSSSSS! This is stunning and gorgeous and hawt and beautiful!!!!!
Thank you sew sister!
OMGawt!!!!!!!!!!!!! Open the curtain, gurl and let you Shine!!!!!!! Oh Ms. Anita, I just love it!!!! You and your hubby!!!!
LOL! Thank you Jennifer!
My friend you did that in the dress. You and Cecil are two of my favorite people. Thanks again for joining us at our “Let’s Get LIFTED Marriage Retreat! You guys are stunning!!
Heeeey Carolyn! Thank you so much for inviting us back again this year. We love you guys and look forward to joining you again next year.
Whew! The back of that dress…..I love it
Thank you Sheila!
Gorgeous dress…beautiful couple!
Thank you Latrice!
I love when people show their work not just blabbing… elegant and gorgeous… awesome when we r blessed with supportive husband respect to you both.. I don’t celebrate val. And have nothing to show no regret it’s my belief.. all d same u look glamorous
Thank you Ray!
I meant just starting to SEW again
Live the dress-you look gorgeous!
Thank you Cici!
W-O-W! You look stunning! Absolutely beautiful in your dress! Very handsome couple and how blessed you (we) are! Looking forward to more videos. I’m just now starting to see again after like 20 or 30 years! Do you workout Anita?
Thank you Ana! Yes, more videos are on the way. Stay tuned! Yes, I work out consistently.
Beautiful dress Anita! I have been eyeing that pattern for awhile….It is definitely a must have. You look stunning. It is a blessing that you and your husband attended a Marriage Retreat. It is so important that we pray for our spouses everyday. Thanks for sharing that information. God Bless!
Thank you Patricia! God bless you too!
The dress was fabo, until you turned around and BAM !! It’s exquisite ??
LOL! Thank you Annette!