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!
And, of course, my red heels!
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!