And They’re Off…..
I finished my Kentucky Derby Party Dress just in time to hop in the car and head to Portland.
To make the dress, I used this Vintage Vera Tablecloth I found at my thrift store last year. The poppies and tulips were perfect.
Vera Neumann was an American artist who built an empire in the fifties, sixties and seventies putting her colorful graphic designs on linens and scarves. Her work was even loved by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon. There are many sites out there dedicated to this talented woman but here is a good link if you’d like to learn more about her work.
The dress was a challenge. I used the top of this Sewaholic pattern and for the bottom I used my custom skirt pattern from Craftovision.
It was the first time I made a muslin. But thank goodness I did. I made the adjustments on the muslin, then took it apart and used the muslin for my pattern. There are a few more adjustments to do if I make it again, but it was pretty close to fitting perfectly.
We stayed with Linda’s beautiful sister, Susan. Here she is in her backyard all ready to go to the Derby in her ten dollar Goodwill dress. She is a girl after my own heart!
We arrived at the Rialto and were surrounded by beautiful women and their incredible hats.
Love this Fascinator with the artificial turf and the horse. So clever!
The horseshoe on Carrie’s hat is from Portland Meadows Racetrack.
The day would not have been complete without a tasty Mint Julep. 
Here’s our new friend Alicia in her amazing hat!
Here’s the winner of the hat contest, Kimberly! So cute!
And here’s my friend, Linda, the winner of some money!
Even though I didn’t bet on the right horse and didn’t win any money, I still feel like a big winner. It was an incredibly fun day and I can’t wait til next year’s derby!
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The Renegade Seamstress 
Oh, how great to see the festivities and your dress is fabulous! Bravo, bravo!
Oh, Barb, I’ve been hearing for years how much fun this party has been and I finally got to go this year. It was everything I expected and MORE! So much fun, I can’t wait until next year. I want to start planning my dress and hat today!
Your dress was/ is absolutely gorgeous!!!
Thank you so much Pat, it was a fun project and finally an event fit for a Vera Neumann dress. 🙂
The dress looks absolutely beautiful on you! Sure looks like FUN!!
It was SUPER fun!!!! Just wish you could’ve been there with me!
Love the dress you clever thing. Being a native of KY and student in Louisville, I appreciate all things Derby. How fun!
Oh my gosh, how fun to actually be in Kentucky on this day. Did you ever go to the actual Derby! I’d love to go someday.
lovely dress…what a great idea to use a tablecloth….the hats very awesome…thanks for sharing
Thank YOU, Peggy! I’ve been waiting for just the right opportunity to use this tablecloth for a dress and the Kentucky Derby Party was the perfect venue for this! Have a great week!
Beth
You did a beautiful job on the dress! Very flattering both in color and style. Another winner in your collection of triumphs 🙂
Thank you, Mother Deer! I don’t think there are many places I could wear something like this where I live, but The Rialto in Portland on Kentucky Derby was just right.
Enjoy your week!
Beth
excellent work,as always,congratulations,thanks for sharing
Thanks, Eviv!
You look amazing in that dress, Beth. I love it. I also loved seeing all the beautiful women at the Derby and their fun and clever hats. We went to the Virginia Gold Cup. Not the Derby but still a big event for horse lovers. And the weather was beautiful.
Thank you! There were so many beautiful women and their amazing hats. I could’ve spent the entire time taking pictures. (Oh yes, there were men there, too) How fun for you to go to the Virginia Gold Cup. Although, in Kentucky yesterday, it was raining, I think I was glad to be inside The Rialto instead of outside at the actual derby. The excitement at the party was absolutely electrifying! Everyone was having so much fun!
Have a great week!
Beth
Great job on the dress! Very lovely. ~M.
Thank you!
Wow, gorgeous dress, I never would have thought a tablecloth could be transformed into something so nice! Really fits you well.
Also, thanks for teaching us about Vera Neumann, that’s my “you learn something new everyday” done for today! 🙂
Loving the hats too!
Glad to be of service. 🙂
Beautiful dress!
Thank you so much!
Great job and So Pretty.
Thank you, Linda! It was a fun project for a fun party!
Oh my word Beth this is awesome. Love love love your dress. I don’t know how you can picture that dress when you picked out the fabric. But is sooooo works.
Thanks Char! Too bad I can’t wear it to work!
Your dress is so pretty! Looks like a great time was had by all attending. Love the hats~ Thanks for sharing this day with us!!!
Thanks, Deann! It was such a fun day, I wish everyone could be there!
How super fun!
It was SUPER fun!!! 🙂
What a FUN post! And you look drop-dead gorgeous in your dress, Beth!!! 🙂
Awwwwww…..thanks so much, you’re makin’ me blush!
I need to try standard pattern sewing. Thus far everything I make is from patterns that I have made.
You know, I’ve shied away from patterns for several years, but I’m finally figuring out how to make them fit. I used to sew them as is and hope for the best, leaving me disappointed because the finished garment didn’t fit. I signed up for a Craftsy class on how to get the perfect fit with patterns. I can’t wait for my summer vacation so I can try more of this kind of sewing. Enjoy your week!
Beth
Well the dress certainly turned out well.
Thank you!
So very lovely.
Thank you, Elise!
You’re such a beauty, Beth!
Thanks, Cara! And you are always so sweet and encouraging. Truly a gift of yours!
Cute dress Beth! It looked like you had so much fun. I know absolutely nothing about the Kentucky Derby. Thanks for the intro.
Horse Racing at it’s finest!
Great dress! Even my husband said it was awesome!!!! What a talent!
Ohhhh, thanks to the both of you!
Your dress turned out fabulous
Thank you!!!!!!
Your dress is stunning!
Looks fantastic on you, especially with the straight skirt.
I would buy that dress in a heartbeat. 🙂
Cheers,
Laura
Thank you! It was definitely one of my favorite projects. I just wish I had more opportunities to wear it. Enjoy!
Beth
Your dress looks SO nice – I love the shoulders/straps – very flattering! And it fits perfectly – you say there are changes you’d make, but I’m just not seeing them 🙂 Sounds like such a fun time!
Thank you, Jo! You are so sweet! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Your dress is amazing! The colours and style suit you so well.
And all of those hats are crazy, but fantastic! Looks like you had a great time xxx
Thanks, Hannah! We did have a great time and I’m already thinking about my dress and hat for next year! 🙂
I finally got to my email messages and I am so excited to finally see your Derby dress! What a stunner, both the dress & you! Absolutely beautiful! Still can’t believe it was a tablecloth. That’s amazing! One thing though, what is the history behind all the outrageous hats at the Derby?
Thanks so much! As far as the hats go, I think it used to be a given that people would wear hats to special events. But at the Derby, the tradition never went away and instead has become one of it’s trademarks getting more and more outrageous every year. SO FUN!!!!
Thanks for that info! I always wondered why the hats were so outrageous! What did you have on your hat?
My hat was mild compared to the others. It was a green hat with a ribbon and three orchids. Nothing outrageous or prizewinning. I worked longer on the dress than my hat this year.
LOL You have time for next year’s Derby!
🙂
Love it Beth.
Thanks!!!
BTW – I have changed my blog host … I would love to get your feedback if you can spare any time. Thanks. Blondie aka Sandra
http://blondiesbargains.blogspot.com
Your dress is gorgeous! I love the silhouette and fabric. You are an amazing seamstress. Thanks for sharing all of the fun hats. I missed this years event so it was glad to see yours.
Paula
Thank you, Paula! There were so many well dressed women there. You would’ve loved it!!!
You done did a FABULOUS job!!! LOVE that dress shape–looks like one that would look good on my wonky figure. Will look for a pattern…and maybe a sheet!
Thanks so much! Good luck on your dress! I’d love to see pictures!
Wonderful dress and a fantastic day, such glamour!
Thank you! You’re right there was so much glamour everywhere that day!!! FUN!
I just love the dress. The fit is amazing. And the FABRIC, you did well in finding the fabric too.
Thank you, Miss Mary! It was fun to sew and fun to wear!
WOW – Beautiful dress! Did you manage to use the part of the tablecloth with the signature?
Thank you! Yes, the signature was on the bodice and on the back of the skirt.
Beautiful dress. Gorgeous fabric. Amazing fit. You look fantastic! Love seeing all those lovely ladies in hats too! x
Thank you, Janine! It was truly amazing to see all of the clever hats and glamourous outfits that day. I had so much fun!
What fun! You did a great job on the dress – if you hadn’t said the fabric was ‘re-purposed’ I’m sure sewers would be out looking for the pattern right now! Kudos!
Thanks so much! I love all of Vera’s graphic prints. I hope I can find some more during my thrift store travels.
what an incredible seamstress!!! you look gorgeous in your dress!! loved all the incredible hats 🙂
Thank you! I was totally amazed at all the wonderful hats. I could’ve spent all day taking pictures. I can’t wait til next year!!!!
You are a magician! Love, love, love the dress. Its makin me consider sewing for myself. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Candy! I hope you do consider sewing for yourself, it’s so much fun!
Lovely dress! And I enjoyed the array of elegant outfits too.
Thanks so much! The day was filled with lots of fun glamour!!! I loved it!
how fun! and the dress is fabulous!!
Thank so much, Jennie! Enjoy your weekend!
Beth
I think you could rock Project Runway!
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