Hello everyone! It has been awhile since I've done a sewing project, or at least finished one. I did start making a 1950s skirt in January of this year, but I haven't finished it yet as I'm showing my sister, Hanne-col how to make skirts with no ready-made sewing patterns, but with just basic math skills.
Let's see here, the story behind the design of this dress has been a long one in the making. I came up with the basic idea of these two fabrics paired together for a sundress last summer, but the design was never really clear in my mind so I pushed the idea to the back of my head. Fast forward to last week, I was working my shift at work when the design for this dress popped into my head -- in-between helping out guests I sketched out the design onto the back of a receipt.
I knew I was going to be having two days off in a row this week, so I scheduled into my calendar to sew this dress on Friday [yesterday]. Especially since I needed to take the time to create something with my hands to refresh my creativity, also I've been suffering with a stiff knee this week so resting was big in my book, and nothing relaxes me more than sewing something for myself.
It took me a couple of hours to decided how exactly I was going to sew my dress, especially since I've never made a halter style dress before [and I really didn't own any strapless dress patterns or halter style patterns for that matter]. After pouring over my sewing books and researching the internet I finally decided on adapting Marie-Madeline Studio's Summer Shade jumper pattern as my basic bodice base, and just winging everything else as I went along.
In the end I ended up doing the following changes to the bodice pattern: rising the neckline slightly, lowering the waist line, and dropping the bodice back piece. I cut out two lengths of fabrics 30" long each for the skirt [cutting one of them in half], used a skirt scrap piece for the halter strap [pleated slightly into place onto the bodice], tacked the front of the bodice down to create a sweetheart shape, lined the entire bodice with muslin, pleated the skirt to fit, put in an invisible zipper down the center back, and machine sewed a simi-deep hem.
I'm in love with my new sundress, especially since I've never worn a halter style dress before. Bathing suits, yes. I can't wait to wear it to church tomorrow with perhaps a jean jacket or cardigan.
~Ashley, xx
Saturday, August 29, 2015
35 comments:
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I cant say enough about how much I LOVE this dress Ashley!!! As soon as I saw your draft ideas I couldn't wait to see the finished product. Fabulous job! I really want to copy that dress now...hehe:) I absolutely love your choice of color, and fabric and it looks so wonderful on you!!
ReplyDelete-Madison
www.1minniemuse.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Madison! You should copy my dress and share it on your blog. :)
DeleteThis is beautiful! The gingham pattern + eyelet combo is great. You make me want to learn how to sew!
ReplyDelete❤ Blaze Ann
www.p31beauty.blogspot.com
How cute! I love it!
ReplyDelete-Margaret
http://happyinheels.blogspot.com/
I think I have the same shoes. Are they from Payless?
ReplyDeleteNope, I actually picked them up during Ruche's Black Friday sale last year.
DeleteI love this so cute, Your a great sewer.
ReplyDeleterebeccafashionandlife.blogspot.com.au
becci
You did such a great job! Love the gingham!
ReplyDeleteMikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
Woah woah woah- I can't believe that you made this yourself! Such a pretty dress!
ReplyDeletexoxo A
www.southernbelleintraining.com
What a cool piece -- it definitely takes me straight back to the 50's.
ReplyDeleteAlso so awesome that you made it yourself!
xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys
This is so cute! I wish I could sew, I would love to make my own clothes.
ReplyDeleteKayla | kaylablogs.com
Such a darling retro look! I would love to learn the art of sewing!
ReplyDeleteThat came out so well! I should learn how to sew!
ReplyDeleteHow adorable!! I haven't sewn in years- moving away from home meant losing access to a sewing machine for me. I love that you were able to make this by winging it!
ReplyDeleteYou rocked that dress! You did such a great job making it, I would have thought you bought it!
ReplyDeleteWow I can't believe you made that, you're SO adorable! I love gingham so much!
ReplyDeleteThis look is so cute & it's amazing that you made it yourself! x Nicole | www.changeanddress.com
ReplyDeleteReally, really cute, and the fact that you made it is awesome...I love making my own dresses, I have a machine but do not always have the time, this post inspired me...
ReplyDeleteNancy Laws l Chic Mompreneur
Yay! Hopefully you will pull out your sewing machine and make yourself a dress.
DeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeletewww.kayleighskloset.com
SOOO COOL! I wish I knew how to sew. I am literally the absolute worst.
ReplyDeleteNicole // Chronicling Home
This is absolutely adorable! I love this design, and really need to get back to sewing more often soon!
ReplyDeleteCourtney// As We Stumble Along
Um...holy cow. You totally rock. You look AWESOME.
ReplyDeletehttp://thealwaysblog.com
What an amazing project! It must feel so great to wear an adorable dress that you created yourself. How rewarding!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thepdxbelle.com/
I can't believe you made this!!! It's so cute and I am in love with that flattering shape!
ReplyDeletexo Ashley
So cute!! I love your dress and you look awesome in it!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good on you! You are insanely talented! So glad that you were finally able to bring your vision to life.
ReplyDeletexo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise
Girlfriend, you are SO TALENTED! I love this dress! Do you plan to make things to sell or is this strictly a hobby?
ReplyDeleteXX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
I used to make things to sell on Etsy, but the shop never took off as people didn't want to pay the prices I had for custom clothing. I was always getting ask to give discounts, but I was already making way less money then I should for my work. So for right now, it is strictly a hobby.
DeleteLoving that dress! It's so amazing that you can make your own clothes! I wish I could do something that talented!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you made this!! It's stunning! I wish I could do something like this.
ReplyDeletexo // www.thematerialgirl.co
I can't believe you made it! I could never! It looks so good!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWOW, you have great sewing skills! This dress turned out amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute dress! I'm not a huge fan of gingham, but you managed to pull it off quite nicely!
ReplyDelete@ndr@ K.
www.andrasfinds.blogspot.com