It's My 50th Birthday!
1:00 PM
So, Tuesday, September 22nd was my 50th birthday. It took me a week to process it and all that has happened. Since my 49th birthday, so much in my life has changed... for the better. After several YEARS of deep contemplation, I decided to end my marriage during Summer of 2019. December 6, 2019, I packed up and moved to Auburn, AL to be near Mikaela. I needed rest, relaxation and a reset. After 3 months, the pandemic hit and it was the best thing to happen to me. The entire world slowed down to a pace that met my own. I enjoyed the stillness. Since March, I've done a lot of soul searching and reflecting regarding who I am and who I want to be in this new stage of life. Knowing that I made the best possible decision for myself, I'm not bitter, jaded, sad or angry. I'm excited! I'm excited about new beginnings and fresh starts. I'm even dating, during the pandemic! Navigating this has been super tricky and interesting. It takes getting to know someone, their habits and whether or not they are strongly "Covid Conscious". With everything that is going on in the world, this has been the year that I needed and hopefully, it will end on a high note. I'm looking forward to 2021.
But let's move on and talk about this dress!
I haven't been inspired to make a birthday dress in a longtime. I'd had this pattern, Vogue 1692 since it came out. It had always been my intention to take the pattern and just make it into a casual racerback style maxi dress. But why? Why not create what it was intended to be? Something glamorous.
My fabric is a stretch black and gold glitter knit. And my lining is a basic black polyester knit. The pattern called for a contrasting fabric, which is simply to create bias binding to finish the neck, keyhole and armholes. I just used the lining fabric.
This is a really simple pattern that sews quickly, but it required a lot of alterations for me. 
Here is my FBA and the one inch length at the waist.
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47 comments
Happy Birthday! Keep on living and creating. I’m happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Keep on living and creating. I’m happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Erica! You are killing it on so many levels! 50 never looked so good!
ReplyDeleteHappy for you and your outlook. Great dress and excellent fit.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!! Love the dress! Wishing you much more success is all facets of your life !
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Erica! You are a very strong woman!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blessed Birthday. You look absolutely fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI’m here for all of it! The life update, the fabulous dress, you prioritizing you... It all makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry, but I think we need to check some ID because I just turned 46 years old on September 24th and I don’t look anywhere near this youthful or drop dead sexy. Maybe I should look into some some major life changes in the next few years too... 🤣 But back on track to this show stopper and traffic jam maker of a dress—definitely was the way to go making a glamorous version and that fabric is the right level of drama for your new drama-free lifestyle! Even if the out of the package pattern wasn’t perfect, be thankful you have the skills to know what to do to make it perfect for you—because you definitely made yourself the perfect dress. Take all the bows you can in that gown! 💛
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Erica. Your dress is amazing as usual and the fit is so good.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! So glad to hear you're living your best life. You look amazing in this gown!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday again Erica, this dress is absolutely perfect. ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and beautiful dress! Cheers to this new year in your life being the best one yet!❤
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Erica. You are pure fabulousness!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday & you look amazing.
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy that you are living for you and loving it! Congratulations on your 50th with your fine self! Hugs!
ReplyDelete-Eryn
Happy birthday Erica! Your dress is beautiful and you look amazing in it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work and happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Erica. I love the dress and you look fabulous in it. I pray 2021 bring you lots of happiness.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday
Happy Pandemic Birthday!
ReplyDeleteYour dress is fantastic and I hope this next year brings you even more joy and amazing adventures as you embark upon this stage of your life!
ReplyDeleteDress is AMAZING! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday sis! I’m so glad that BMM has given me an opportunity to get to know you and I look forward to more zoom call, glasses of wine and fun times ahead!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday🎉🎉🎊🎊🍾🍾
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. Your dress is wonderful and you look fantastic in it. Did you make a muslin for the fitting? I’m curious, did you use regular paper for your pattern adjustments? Does having a stiffer paper with the tissue cause any problems?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck with your new beginnings!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Erica! You look gorgeous! Good luck with everything!xxCamelia
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and I hope you have an absolutely fantastic year Erica!!!
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns!! Sista, your outfits are always looking good as usual!!
ReplyDeleteMany happy returns!! Sista, your outfits are always looking good as usual!!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Erica. You look fabulous. God bless you. Enjoy your new life.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday - have fun.
ReplyDeleteMy 50th Birthday and the feeling I had when I reached that decade was fantastic.
I felt for the first time that I was a real grown up and I didn't have to keep apologising for who I was.
It was really freeing and I hope it is for you too.
I hope you had a 50th birthday as fabulous as you are my friend!! My 50's were my best decade so far. I traveled extensively, started TaeKwonDo, earned a Black belt, and got remarried!!! I wish you joy and happiness, because it's just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pam! You are the poster girl for being 50 and Fabulous!
DeleteYesss. . to this Dress and your Renewed Aspirations. Happy Blessed Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Erica! Your dress is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is amazing and you look fabulous
ReplyDeleteI don't know what looks more AMAZING--you or the dress!! Wowza! Happy 50th birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Erica and you look absolutely stunning! I'm in my early 50s now and feel more confident than ever.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I absolutely love that you made a birthday dress.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I've come across your blog, and after reading the short blurb on your home page you pulled me right in to read the whole post. Thank you for sharing both the personal and dress stories! Happy birthday! You and your dress look phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteHi there Erica,
ReplyDeleteSorry I am just catching up with you now. Fabulous dress, I have been looking at this pattern for a while, but am conscious of my arms................I guess I could always through caution to the wind, and go for it.
May I wish you all the best for the future; I am sure there are many blessings coming your way. Hugs and love from the other side of the pond. Marysia.
Happy Belated Birthday.. 50 looks Fabulous on you.. Beautiful Dress.
ReplyDelete