Thursday, June 18, 2015

DIY: A Dress and Necklace That'll Leave you in Stitches

Well, would ya lookie who detached herself from declutterin' for a solid two hours this mornin' and finished up a dress that was started, um, let's just say a while ago (meaning: I can't even recall when I began this thang!). I'm as happy as can be in this colorful number cuz I just love these two prints together. I so wish I could recall where I scooped 'em up as I snipped off the salvaged edge and threw it away ages ago. I know I've spied the sewing machine fab on fabric.com so if you're dying to get your kitten mittens on some, that'd be the place to start. 
But, for now, back to the dress! Complete with piddlin' pockets! (or, as I once heard Michael Kors refer to 'em on PR: Pleasure Me Pockets. Y'all. That placement. WHHHHHHHY?! And yet, I stitch 'em in every.single.time.)
This dress pattern and I, we go way back. I think I've made, I dunno, about a dozen variations of this dress! For zample, check here, here, here and some other rando places. I'd list 'em all but I'm lazy. So there.
This dress was also the topic of a great debate ole instagram when I popped it up. I was going back and forth with the idea of a sleeve. Just about every dress I've made is sleeveless and I'm starting to feel like that's a copout. So I thought this one could Be.That.Change. But then everyone was all eeeeeewwww, the sleeves are terrible, they're burning my retinas! (not for realz but there was most def no love for those sleeves, y'all). So I opted to go with el cap-sleeve-o. 
And I totes dig it. Here's a lil belt-less view of the front and the back. That sweet scoop in the back is one of my faves. Even if my long-a##, in-need-of-a-hairs-cut 'do usually covers it up.
A close up. But the real reason I'm sharing this photo is to say: DOESN'T MY HEAD LOOK EXTRAORDINARILY LONG? I look like some sort of freak-show real-life Modigliani! 
Why the loooooooooooooong face, brah?

 Of course no sewing machine dress is complete without a necklace of spools, right?! I've had this small vintage collection of wooden spools in my stash for a while. I glued the loose string in place, painted some wooden beads and strung 'em together on a strand of elastic. It slides right over my big ole Modigliani head like a candy necklace. 
 Cuz it's perfectly reasonable for a lady of my advanced age to be seen out and about in a necklace o' spools, right?! 
Y'all, it felt so good to wrap up the dress and be back in the sewing saddle again. Next up, that sweet thing beside me. What have you been up to this summer?!
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18 comments:

  1. Summer? We are still in school but I am dreaming about those carefree days of summer!!

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    1. OMGGGaaaaahhhh, we've been out for almost a month! You poor girl! Although, if it's any consolation, we return at the start of August. When you'll have your feet up! You're almost there :)

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  2. Cap sleeves look good- necklace is FABULOUS!!

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    1. Aw, thanks!! It was super easy to make and fun to wear :)

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  3. I love your ideas. Love the way you inspire your kiddywinks. Thanks for writing a fab blog.

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    1. Thank you, buddy! Love your fab blog as well :)

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  4. Cassie! I just love your blog!! I always brighten up when I see it in my work in-box cuz i know Ima be entertained;)

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    1. Aw, thank you!! I appreciate your kind words. You brightened MY day!

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  5. You should get a artists' palette brooch to wear with the new dress that's almost finished. There are over a hundred listed on etsy right now! ;)

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    1. Um, yeah I should! Gonna have to get on that right now ;)

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  6. I'm 100% sure that I've bought your bodice fabric at Joanns!

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  7. Anonymous6/19/2015

    That's a really fab dress. However I just clicked on the gnome dress. I hadn't seen that post. Gnome dress so cool. Selina

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    1. Ah, the gnome dress. That's an oldie but so fun. That lil cut out was a total drag and feels kinda scandalous to wear to school. But the print is so stinkin' fun!

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  8. Thanks for creating such a fab blog! Finished school this past week and got hurt so lots of time to read and reflect. You are an inspiration, saw you on AOE and started reading your blog. I will definitely be adapting some of your great ideas. I haven't been reading blogs for almost 2 years now, but am planning to start a new one - just can't remember how blogger works! 😩

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  9. Hi Karen~glad your school year is out but bummed that you hurt yourself! Take it easy! Blogger is super easy, I think. It will come back to you, like riding a bike. Lemme know if you have any questions, I'd love to help! And thank you for your kind words. I'll be at this summer's AOE! Hope to "see" you there :)

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  10. Oh man, I'm so happy I found your blog! So inspiring, I love this outfit so much!! Now I must go through all your old posts!

    Lauren
    Sparrow & Urchin

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  11. This pattern is fast becoming one of my favourites too! I haven't done this neckline version, or come to think of it,the skirt pattern either. I'm totally considering doing the skirt after your review, LOL.

    Back to school the beginning of August? YIKES...that's like the middle of summer....Kids here just finished on the 25th June.

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