DIY Polka Dot and Plaid Dress
21 May 2012
I’ve been spending a lot of time with my sewing machine lately, and it’s been so much fun. I have been planning to make this dress for ages, and I’m so happy I finally did! It is spliced together from two garments: the top is left over from the muumuuu I turned into a skirt, and the bottom is a plaid shirt that was too big for me. I love the patterns together!
Yesterday was *hot*, and I was glad to have a new dress to wear to the eclipse viewing.
I kept it fairly simple with accessories, but I knew I wanted to wear this bright splash of yellow. This is the necklace I made out of corn kernels from Eric’s parents’ farm. I have been missing them a lot this past week, and this necklace makes me feel closer to them.
This giant teal belt seemed obligatory, given my penchant for red and teal!
So, how did I make this dress? It was pretty simple. I trimmed and shaped the bodice left over from the muumuu, and then sewed the seams.
Then I trimmed the plaid shirt just under the arms, so I was left with one basically rectangular piece of fabric.
Next I put a quick stitch all the way around the top part of the fabric (just under where I had cut it off from the sleeves). Once this stitch was in place, I used it to create a gather. All you have to do is pull on one stitch at a time (the top stitch or the bobbin stitch) and move the fabric down along the stitch. It sounds kind of hard, but it is really easy!
Once I had the skirt gathered to the same size as the bodice, I just stitched the two together and put in a hem at the bottom of the skirt. Voila!
I am by far not an expert in sewing, but I am trying to pick up new techniques as I go (with the help of some awesome books Eric’s mom gave me), and I am now happy with my hemming ability and my gathering skills. Next up: zippers! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! (And if you have any sewing wisdom to impart, I am more than happy to hear it!)

May 21, 2012 @ 10:29:50
This dress is absolutely adorable, but I must also make a note of something else in these pictures: your wonderfully glowing-with-happiness smile! You look so gloriously happy in these pictures – not that you’re not always wearing a beautiful smile on your lips, but here I can really see it in your eyes 🙂 Whatever you’re doing it must be working!
May 21, 2012 @ 20:20:41
Oh, Zhonia, you are the sweetest! Thank you so much! I chalk a lot of it up to being in love and being really grateful to be where I am and who I am 🙂 I am sure you know what I mean, and I have loved reading about your happy adventures on your blog lately! Hope you have a magnificent summer, and I am sure you will!
May 21, 2012 @ 17:33:14
You are the only person I know who makes mixing patterns look good. This outfit is too cute! I wish you could cook up some outfits for me. Love you!
May 21, 2012 @ 20:22:25
You are so sweet! I never really know if these things are going to work, but I just run with them and try to act graceful:) I would love to make clothes for you! But first I should probably work out the kinks of making clothes in general:) Apropos of nothing, today I reread the card you gave me during our wedding week. And cried. I love you!
May 21, 2012 @ 21:06:39
What a really cool dress for a really cute girl!
May 21, 2012 @ 21:49:21
Thank you, Daddy! Love you!
May 22, 2012 @ 05:04:43
Precious! I love the shot of you on the balcony. I guess all that posing in your Christmas dress under the Christmas tree prepared you for today! My sewing machine is starting to complain that I am ignoring her. And I have been. But your post reminds me I must get back in there.
May 22, 2012 @ 21:07:41
Definitely! I have been having lots of fun with my sewing machine–thank you again for this most excellent birthday present! Would love to see the things you are making!
May 22, 2012 @ 06:06:51
Eric’s parents have been missing you a lot this week as well…
May 22, 2012 @ 21:07:53
It’s very mutual!
May 22, 2012 @ 11:34:21
This is SO great! I would love to make dresses of mixed pieces and I don’t know why I find it so intimidating! You make it look easy and I’m on a shopping freeze so I’m going to need to break down and go for it 🙂
May 22, 2012 @ 21:11:58
Thank you so much, Lisa! I totally understand–it is intimidating, and you would not believe how long these pieces have been sitting on my sewing table! I have been having fun experimenting, though, and starting with small things, so I won’t be too upset if I botch them! I love your style and would love to see any of your projects once you get sewing! Thanks so much for stopping by!