So here’s a little math equation of my crafting experiences thus far: felting < spray painting random things < making felt flowers < crochet < knitting. And then every craft in the entire world < sewing. Yes, sewing conquers all in my book. I mean seriously. Why did it take 22 years for me to discover this?
I made my first dress for Easter. I made my second dress one day on an unexpected day off. I felt pretty guilty for not cleaning the house, but after I finished the dress I quickly got over it. New dress > clean house. Sorry. Enough with the math.
Here it is! Timothy took me out for another photo shoot so I could show you guys my dress. He’s a good blog husband.
I’m really happy with how it turned out! I feel like it fits a lot better than my first one. It’s more “me” too.
I made a huge black sash/belt to go with it. You can’t see it really well in this picture, but it’s there. In real life I love wearing it in a huge bow right in the front of my waist, but once I saw it in some of the pictures Timothy took I’m not so sure. The skirt is super poofy and with a big poofy bow on my stomach, I don’t necessarily look slim. And slim is a good look to try to go for.
Hmmm. Maybe I should have a photo shoot with all of my outfits to see what looks good and what looks weird. I’m sure Timothy would loooove that. Ha!
This is the pattern I used. Yeah, I had to buy the size 12-20 version. Remember the whole “slim” look I’m aiming for? Way to help my self confidence Simplicity patterns. I appreciate that.
I will never in all my days understand pattern sizing. According to my measurements I needed to make a size 14 dress. I made a size 12 and it was still way too big. Hum bug. I literally spent hours trying to tailor the dress to fit. I thought I was being smart and did some research on the pattern before making it. A lot of the reviews said that it was pretty true to size and it was perfect for high waisted people. Umm, not so much for me. If I could just lengthen my torso two inches, life would be so much easier.
But aside from the whole sizing problems, I adore this pattern. This is a shot of the waist – look at the cuteness of the angled darts leading to the pleats in the skirt! It would probably be twelve times cuter if I were a bit better at sewing and actually had the darts meeting the lines of the pleats like they were supposed to.
This pattern also had pockets. They confused me for about twenty minutes. Seriously. I read the pattern directions over and over. And then I stared at the fabric. Then read the directions. Then took a cookie break. Then repeated that series of events a couple of times until I figured it out.
I’m so glad I figured it out though. Pockets rock! I feel so ladylike having pockets in my full skirt. I probably look like a weirdo whenever I wear this dress because I seriously never take my hands out of my pockets. I’m actually getting to the point where I feel bad for everyone making fun of Napoleon Bonaparte. The small guy who kept his hand in his shirt. I bet he had a pocket in there. It’s a slippery slope. Those pockets just draw you in.
Oh, and I got this fabric for 50% off thanks to one of those malicious JoAnn’s sales that sucked me in awhile back. Score!!!
Sewing + Whitney = true love forever.
I teased. I wasn’t done with all the math.
~Whitney
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P.S. Timothy totally told me to model with my eyes in some of these pictures. America’s Next Top Model, here we come.
P.P.S. Just teasing again. About the whole Top Model thing. Not what Timothy said. That happened.
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23 Responses to Dress Numero Dos!
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I'm honored that you took time to stop by my blog! My name is Whitney, and I'm a diy loving, piano playing, sewing obsessed, thrifty, non-house cleaning, crafty newlywed. I love God, my husband, and life as a wife. If you'd like to know more, just check out my About Me page. Much love!
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Looks awesome, Whitney! Makes me wanna buy a sewing machine for sure!
You should! I never imagined I would love mine as much as I do :)
I am jealous.
The dress is adorable! I love the polka dots and the red shoes are PERFECT!!!
I’ve made napkins and a elastic waist skirt….now I’m going to have to try something w/a pattern.
;)
Good luck, Jenny! When you do, you should definitely blog it so we all can see :)
Oh gee! that dress is absolutely gorgeous!! you should make a red sash belt to go with it too!
Thank you! That’s a lovely idea!
Love your dress! Absolutely beautiful!!:)
Thanks, Rachel! I’m just trying to come close to your sewing abilities ;)
Adorable! Anything with pockets is a score in my book. You are amazing =)
Thank you! You are amazing-er!
Love love love the dress- it is beautiful. I can’t believe you made that in one day! I need to pull out some of my patterns and get sewing!
Thank you very much! I don’t know if I would want to make another dress in one day – it kind of drove me crazy. And I didn’t eat. Haha!
Gorgeous! You had me at the polka dot fabric. I LOVE the details. I haven’t ever sewn from a pattern and from the sounds of it, it can be a little complicated. One of these days I’ll take the plunge if my dress would turn out like yours!
Thank you, Shannon! I think it is complicated, but I looked at your blog and you have some major sewing skills! You would rock a pattern out for sure!
Your dress is really adorable. I also love the red shoes. They totally complete the outfit! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much! :)
geez louise, you MADE that?! you look awesome!!!
Haha! Thank you! Just don’t look on the inside of the dress where all the strings and seams are hanging out. :D
Whitney… this dress is gorgeous and yes, absolutely YOU!
Hi! I just happened on your blog from pinterest, and wanted to comment on your pattern; I originally was given this pattern about a year ago to make bridesmaid dresses for a cousins wedding, and have made a couple of other dresses from it since then. One thing I have learned – the people who made that pattern must have been on crack or something! Thankfully, before I cut into the shantung fabric that was for the bridesmaid dresses (5 of them!), I got some $1 fabric from walmart to experiment with – and it’s a good thing I did. Going by the measurements on the pattern envelope, the dress I cut out to fit my size 6 SIL was only slightly too small for my size 16 self!!! I ended up having to measure the pattern itself, and alter it to fit each girl individually. The gapping problem at the neck was horrible, too.
That being said, your dress turned out adorable. Love the polka dots! I wish I could wear stuff like that, but it doesn’t help my size any…too bad.
Enjoyed reading your blog and good luck on the future sewing projects!
Hello, other Gillian! I’ve net precious few Gillian’s in my life, so when I first saw your name on the comment list, I though, “Wait! I posted here already? I don’t remember that!”
I can’t believe that is your second dress! It’s beautiful, and beautiful on you! Well done! Like you, I’ve done pretty much every craft there is but always been terrified of garment sewing. I *just* made my first dress this weekend, and now I’m hooked! Here’s hoping dress #2 comes out anywhere near as nicely as yours! (Question: Did your use horsehair trim? Or wear a crinoline? My skirts always sort of hang sadly! :P)
Thank you! I’m glad your first dress was a success! I didn’t use horsehair or wear a crinoline, the material was just heavy enough to hang in nice folds.