Purple Maxi Dress

As a vertically challenged woman I never thought that I could pull off a maxi dress but this dress has changed my mind!

Don't mind the weird kitty in the background!  The purple cotton lawn has a crazy print that obstructs the construction details of Butterick 5490 like the pleating at the bodice and skirt.  The bodice is lined in plain white cotton batiste and zips up the back.   

The unlined skirt is light and flowy and makes me feel like a million bucks. :)  Maxi dresses aren't so scary after all!  

Navy Cynthia Rowley Dress

Pattern used was View B of Simplicity 2497 (a Cynthia Rowley design).   This looks MUCH better in person (not so shiny). 

Instead of using a contrast fabric I used purchased red piping to outline the yoke, waistband, and sleeves. Oh boy did this cause a lot of swearing!  The piping had to be hand basted onto the seam allowance and then carefully machine sewn with my zipper foot.

Seven Dollar Sheath Dress

I made this dress last minute to wear to a lovely summer wedding.  The whole thing cost me only $7 in supplies!

Pattern I used was Simplicity 2588 ($1.99 on sale from Jo-Ann)
Fabric was about 2 yards of brown and ecru lace-print poly sateen ($1.99/yard from Fabric Mart)
Zipper and interfacing was from my stash (free-ish)
Buttons from Ben Franklin ($1.00)

I usually don't sew specifically with the intent to save money but this is a great example of how home sewing can save a buck.

I loved that the pattern included pockets hidden in the front pleats of the skirt--no need to carry a purse!  The bride told me that I looked "very Jackie O." in the dress and I suppose that it does have a 1960's vibe.  I will definitely be making a variation from this pattern again.

Thinking Spring

Here are two spring/summer dresses that I am planning to make at the moment.  They will both have pockets because dresses with pockets are my favorite.

I want to make the ruffle-sleeve version shown in yellow on the envelope (on the left) out of this floral poly charmeuse.  I imagine wearing it with the heels I have in both blue & red (yes, I buy the same shoes in multiple colors and yes, I live in fear that one day I will go out wearing one of each color like Helena Bonham Carter...). I might make a game day decision to first try the pattern in some white peachskin with blue brushstrokes on it that I have because I am a bit afraid that the charmeuse will be too delicate for an everyday dress...

Future dress #1

 I also want to make Colette's Crepe dress out of this graphic linen with a solid navy sash & underlined in white cotton batiste. The print seems very '90s to me (Tommy Hilfiger?) and hopefully its boldness will keep the dress from looking too twee (or worse--cute!). Of course there is also the possibility that the bold print will be entirely too large on my shorty mcshortypants self but I like living on the edge. Besides, I've never had a wrap dress that wraps in the back so this will be pretty exciting even if the print is all wrong on me. :)   

Future dress #2

Paisley & Pink Dress

This was the Christmas gift for Sister #3.  I used paisley polyester chiffon and solid satin charmeuses from Denver Fabrics and BurdaStyle's Azalea pattern.  The dress is machine wash & dry (essential for a busy college student) and the pattern was simple to follow.  I used my serger to roll hem the chiffon.

 

My current favorite dress

I made this dress using Butterick 5382 and animal print ponte from Jo-Ann's. Here it is modeled by my dress form, Delphine: 

 The pattern was very clear and easy to follow. I omitted the back zipper because my fabric was stretchy enough.  One of my sisters liked the dress so much that she asked for one as a Christmas gift.  Her dress is in the same fabric but has long sleeves. I stitched the hems of the sleeves and skirt with a twin needle to allow them to stretch.