Making the Dress: Part 2

Next up, pattern making!  Now that we have the design and the perfect fabric (it seriously thrills me!), it's time to create the pieces to be sewn together.  My Aunt Donna pinned some scrap fabric around me to determine fit and shape.  Then we laid the fabric out onto  a roll of paper.  Because the bodice involves some gathering, we cut the pattern into thin strips and then spaced them out on the paper.  This is so we have the proper proportions, but also enough fabric once it's condensed (gathered) - so smart!  Warning: this step took a few hours - if you plan on making your own dress, be prepared to put in 10+ hours before you even plug in the sewing machine!  And always, always, always measure twice and cut once (if I had a nickel for every time I've heard that!)  

Stay tuned for part 3!

wow times ten.

This girl decided to lock up all of her previous store-bought clothes so that she would only wear things that she designed and made herself. [what?!] I know, right? Someday I will have the skill/guts to do that. I will. But until then, I totally admire her designs. Here's a few of my favourites from her blog The Dress I Made.

first dress!

Hey followers! I finally have something worthy of an update. This is the first dress I've ever made, and I'm so happy with how it turned out. I got the fabric at Fabricland for 66% off - $7.00 total. I found the pattern for it at Value Village (uncut, with all the pieces!) for $0.99. I modified it a little bit, and it worked! You can't see in the picture, but it's just a basic sleeveless shape with an elastic waistband. I wore it to the Divine women's conference (imagine 800 women in one place!) for the dessert gala evening. So fun!

Also noteworthy: the jean jacket was from the Salvation Army ($6.99), the belt from Value Village ($0.99), and the shoes from Aldo Liquidation ($20). This just proves you don't have to spend a fortune pull a fun look together! (Less than $40 total)

summer wish list.

Just a few things I always have in the back of my mind while I'm shopping...just in case I stumble across the perfect one. Or find a great pattern to make it myself...

paper-bag-waist.

flowy-summery-shirt.

eyelet detail.
gladiators. (never had any!)
more eyelet...
long dress.

for people who sew.

www.burdastyle.com is a cool website to get free patterns from... I've never actually printed any off, I just love the thought of being able to share great ideas! This dress is on my list of things to make next..