Sewing for Scarlett posted this little dress I made for Lucy on their blog yesterday. And it kind of surprised me. I made that dress exactly a year ago. And it was so perfect for winter. But it kind of came and went and now it falls in the more "forgotten" creations of the MADE archives.
In fact, I've only had one other person tell me it's one of their favorite dresses (which is why I did a double-take on the pic when it showed up in blog land yesterday). But here's the funny thing about it all....It's actually my favorite dress I've ever made for Luce Goose! It's so girly but without the frills. It's school girl but with a grown-up twist (must be the fitted back). So....I'm sharing it again with you, with a few tips on how to make your own.
The concept is fairly simple and you don't even need a zipper!
1) I found nice aqua/teal velour at JoAnns with a slight stretch to it. They usually have these heavier fabrics in the winter season.2) Cut a long rectangle of fabric for the skirt and gather it up (as if you're making a very simple gathered skirt). A good ratio for this is to measure your little girl's waist and then do 1.25 to 1.5 times that length (there's no fine number on this. You just don't want it to be too gathered and poofy)
3) For the top bodice, mine is cut into two sections....but that's only because it morphed into a dress. It was originally going to be a skirt with a waistband. But then my idea changed. So, you would probably do a rectangular top piece and if you have fabric with stretch in it, then make the bodice tighter and form-fitting (but not too tight, or she won't want to wear it). Measure around her chest to get a good measurement.
4) Cut four long strips for the overalls. Sew two and two together and turn inside-out so you have long tube-like straps. IRON them down. Always iron your seams. Your clothing will look more professional. Attach the straps in front and back of your dress.5) Find cute buttons, make button holes, and....you're done!
Chomp.
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35 comments:
i Love this dress dana! So easy and such a great result! Was it a strechy velvet?
love miranda
I love it, and the thing I love about it is the double bodice. Just goes to show that clothes that evolve (like how it morphed from a skirt to a dress) have the best details and I often find that when I completely cock up whatever I'm sewing, it turns into something even better than the original would have been because I've been forced to get creative rather than just follow a pattern.
Lucy is one cute kid!
I love it too! Gorgeous!
so clever you are :)
Miranda,
Yep! The fabric has a bit of stretch to it, which is perfect for getting around her little body and staying snuggly on.
Melinda,
TOTALLY! You explained it perfectly! That's what I love about sewing without patterns. :)
Just what I had in mind for my next project. Thanks for the tips!
I love the dress!
Thank you for (re)posting this one. It is adorable - as are the photos. I will have to try it! The aqua velvet doesn't need anything "extra" at all !
This is an absolute favourite of mine too - maybe I should give it a go? Thanks for the instructions! :)
very cute... sounds like how a couple of my own girlie's clothes have come to be what they are! :)
Awesome, somehow I missed this, or wasn't following your blog too closely then! I can't wait to make it.
Although, as we are in the middle of a heat wave (over 42 Degrees Celsius for the last 3 days) I might hang off a bit. Besides I don't think the winter fabrics are in the stores here yet! I hope I remember it when I see some stretchy winter fabric and wonder what to make!
I love this dress!
It still is my favorite and I'm SOOO glad you reblogged it. It's re-blog worthy, for sure. :)
Very cute! I have some khaki twill I can make this with and Abby can wear it to school!
Very cute dress. Love the back and the double bodice. Thanks again for such a wonderful idea.
oh I'm so glad you re-posted this cute dress. I didn't see it before. Another dress to try and copy! goody
it's so cute and classic. i want to make this for sure. thanks for posting this.
I love this sweet dress. I just made one very similar out of brushed cotton for an 8 year old. It's so classic that it works for big girls and little girls.
I have actually got this bookmarked from one year ago! I loved it then and now!
I loved it the first time. Thanks for showing us how!
Hi Dana! You met me last week with the intro of me wanting to make dresses for my 3 girlies...I think this dress is the winner for me! I love it. So cute. And perfect for winter. Thanks for bringing it to light. I'll let you know how my sewing attempts turn out. It sounds super do-able. Thanks again!
This is a really cute dress, and it does look pretty easy to make. I think my favorite is the Harvest dress, I wish you'd do a simple how to on the whole dress, not just the sleeves and pockets like you did for SYTYC. :-)
I love this dress! I only know how to sew with a pattern but how far down her leg did you measure for the length? Just adorable!
Hi all! I'm glad you don't mind me reposting. It almost makes me want to make another one for Luce!
Heather,
For the length...just measure from her waist to however long you want the dress to go....probably to her knees. I always add a few extra inches beyond that so I have room to work with if I make a mistake and also for the hem.
AWESOME!!! I'm gonna give it a try totally!! My Lucy needs some more dresses and I might even have some fabric around here that will work for this!
too cute! Thanks for breaking it down, I loved it when you first posted it, but I think I'm still working on sewing without patterns. :)
I always loved it Dana, I think I would love to make something similar for Polina. I have brown corduroy I think it will go go great for this dress. Lucy looks so cute in it! It is her color i think Love it Love it!
I also love the two-piece bodice and can't wait to steal your idea for my two girls. You have great taste! Lucy is darling, too.
This is ADORABLE! Oh, how I wish I had a little girl to sew for...
Yah! I can do this! Thanks for the instructions. I'll add this dress to the list of dresses I want to make from your site!
Simple IS wonderful. I love this dress. Do you make her little simple shirts, or do you buy them? If you buy them, what's your favorite place to get them?
Thank you for the kind comments. :)
Lindsay,
Her shirt is from Target. Cherokee brand puts them out every year and I buy about 4 of them! They are called "The Perfect Tee" (I think). In the summer they make short-sleeved ones, but I like their long-sleeved look better.
I love this one too. Simple and classic!
Mmmm.
I'd like to be the second[?] person to say it is my favorite:
.the square, contrasting buttons.
.the straps starting from the middle of the back bodice.
.the length.
.the amount you gathered the skirt.
.the bodice fit.
a keeper and re-doer-in-a-different-size-and-color-every-year type of dress.
I absolutely LOVE this dress! I am simply going to have to attempt to make it for my little girl because she must must must have it. Thank you so much for the follow-up tips! Hopefully my amateur sewing skills will produce something even half as cute as this dress.
Oh wonderful! I love Target. I wondered if that's what you'd say. Thanks!!!!
I looooooove this dress. seriously, seriously cute. i want to make one!
I love your BLOG. For the longest time I've been convincing myself that I can do what you do (the sewing thing) but by golly you are "sew" good. I love your stuff. And your children are precious! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
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