Ben has been wanting me to wear a dress for a while now....You see, when I had Molly I started wearing skirts and shirts, because it was so much easier to nurse babies, and I haven't had a dress since. But since Ben asked for a dress I decided to give it a go. I have had the "Built By Wendy Dresses" book for a couple of months now but I'm ashamed to say that I hadn't really got past the muslin stage until last week. Last week when I got to feeling better I started out on a mission! My mission was to use the Built By Wendy bodice as a starting point to make the perfect fitting dress/ top go-to pattern for myself. Once I have that pattern just how I like it I can whip up a new top or dress anytime I want! Add that to the go-to skirt pattern that I already have, and hunny I'm all set! The dress above was my first try, it's OK, but it's a little big under the arms, I would like it to be a little longer, and it needs a little room taken out of the waist. I made this one out of a thrifted duvet cover, I thought I would probably never wear it because of the color but I think I like it now.
I did have three flowers (see how it looks like one is missing?) but one has disappeared, I'll make another one before I wear it again.
In the end it was a good thing that I made it too short, because that gave me my next idea.....a petticoat! Well really it's just a skirt (made out of the lining of a thrifted shirt that is now the shirt below) with wide crocheted lace along the bottom, but I love the layered look and I can use it under other skirts and dresses too!
See! It's all starting to come together now, the perfect skirt, with the perfect dress or shirt, that's like a whole wardrobe worth of mix and match clothing if I can get this right!
So then I made up this shirt out of a thrifted skirt. I took a little too much room out of the bust but it's pretty close to being exactly what I want.
I used tiny crocheted lace around the neck and bottom, but when I get this pattern just right I'm going to put a lot more time into the details.
This is another skirt that I made and I think it layers well with the dress too. I'm so excited about being so close! Now all I can think of is all of the different shirts and dreses that I will be able to make when I get the basic pattern just right! I've been so discouraged about making things for myself before now (besides the occasional skirt) but now I'm on fire! Do any of you have any suggestions for fabrics, blogs, or books that may help me on this little adventure? Any tips or suggestion based on my pictures? What do you think?
Comments
They have a great blog: http://mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/mariemadeline_studio/ great customer service and awesome fabrics!
ANother great sewing blog I love is sew mama sew
Make Your Own Patterns and Make Your Own Dress Pattern might be good books for you to get some ideas. Rene Bergh wrote the first book, Adele Margolis wrote the second.
This is inspiring. I usually give up on my own clothing projects and lean towards just making stuff for the kids. Their clothes sew up so much faster!
Looks great!
My name's Katie and I'm from the UK. I follow your blog regularly- initially it was because there was some crochet that you made (I really love to crochet!) but have grown to enjoy all your posts.
My question to you is this.... how do you find the time to be so creative with all your lovely patterns, sewing etc and be a 'home-schooling-mama'? I am a wife and mother of my girl (9) and my boy (5), I work for a counselling charity for 20 hours a week and have a small cottage and a small garden. I simply have no time to do anything other than manage my household and get to my job. I would really love to know how you run the farm and do all your amazing creative stuff while also having all three children at home!!!!
Best wishes,
Katie xxx
Your petticoat reminds me of my old lawn petticoat from Laura Ashley days. Oh I love that!
I love the dress & that cute white petticoat! Also that shirt style is lovely!