SOCIAL MEDIA

23 September 2013

An Almost-Tragic Tale of The Perfect Dress


Can you believe Angel took this picture? It looks like...artistic or something...

"This dress is so perfect, it's like it was made for me!"

Well duh, because it was made for me, by me. This is my 2nd attempt at sewing a dress for myself, and it almost ended in tragic disaster.

Because I bought the wrong pattern--I bought the pattern that only included the larger set of sizes, not the size I needed.
 
We live 40 minutes from the sewing store...there was no way I was going back to buy the right pattern, even if it only cost $1....so I just decided--I'm smart, right? If I just cut all these pattern pieces smaller on every side, they'll be the same shape and the right proportions and my dress will fit, right? 

I have a feeling that my haphazard way of shrinking a pattern is not really the right way to go about it, but my some miracle, it worked! Throughout the project, I was never sure that all the pieces would fit together the way they were supposed to....but now, I have a dress! The sash was not part of the pattern, but such a dress simply cries out for an unnaturally large turquoise bow, in my opinion.

Also, this dress was started a long time ago....like June, I think. It would have been finished a long time ago, but then my sewing room had a hole in the wall and then I was overseas for a month. Excuses, excuses. I'm glad I finished it, just in time for Skirtember!
ChatterBlossom said...

That is impressive chick! And I agree that it very much needs a friendly turquoise bow! Love!
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom

Moonofsilver said...

I love that dress! And you are right, it did totally need a bow! Wow, I like the piping on it too!

Blond Duck said...

You can't even tell you made it--so professional. I'm impressed! It's gorgeous!!! I think a bow would be adorable!

Kim @ Pages and Pekoe said...

That is so cute! And you are very talented to have made that! I'd be lucky if I could hem my pants haha! The bow is like the icing on the cake, an who really wants cake without icing?!

Cramer Coffee and Jesus said...

Nice! Way to go :) and that bow is perfect for that dress. And $1??? Wowsers. I want to learn how to sew, maybe one day I can make my kiddos clothes, that would be nice!

Why Girls Are Weird said...

That dress is SO cute, I love the colors!

Elizabeth said...

Wow, it came out so nice! Sewing is no easy task, I've vowed never to do it again, for my sanity and the safety of everyone around me. The sewing machine was nearly thrown out the window during my many previous attempts.

Veronica Lee Burns said...

dang girl! you rock! that is some impressive sewing skills

Unknown said...

I bow down in awe! I can hardly (seriously, just barely) sew a straight line, let alone figure out how to use a pattern. You are amazing. And the dress looks fab! I love the little circles--a fun spin on polka dots!

Anna said...

I'm seriously impressed! I have a half finished apron in the closet that I've been meaning to finish... that's about the extent of my sewing abilities. Love the fabric you chose!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous dress, I can't believe you made it yourself - that is awesome!

Kate | Diaries of an Essex Girl

Erica said...

So pretty perfect! I miss my sewing machine so much - I usually stuck to making bags though, because they don't need to fit me ;) :D

Lenya said...

Wow Rachel, you never stop to surprise me. You can sew?! I am impressed. the dress is awesome. Love the color, the pattern, love everything about it. Even the bow, although I am usually not a great friend of big bows. But it suits you.
have a lovely day
Lenya

Angi said...

You are quite the seamstress!!! I have a sewing machine and zero patience...I've had fabric to make an apron for over a year now and haven't even pulled out the pattern.

Anonymous said...

A great dress! Love the pattern and the style. You did very well modifying the pattern yourself. Had I done that, I would have messed it up for sure. In fact, I have done that, and yup, messed it up completely!!

Unknown said...

Dang, I'm super impressed that you were able to alter the pattern and make your own dress. It really looks great.

Mrs C said...

Cute! Cute! Cute! The colors are fabulous! Thanks for dropping by my blog :)

GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES (a fashion and life-style blog)
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

Susannah said...

That dress seems to just sum up your whole personality. :-) How awesome that you were able to figure out how to shrink down the pattern to fit you properly! :-)

Rachel Sayumi Porter said...

you are amazing!!! I LOVE The blue bow, it's sooo pretty!! I'm in a sewing class right now, and it's kickin my butt!! I swear my fabric attacks me haha.

Inge Jane said...

Wow great job! I don't know if I could ever make a whole dress, I'm impressed! And this fabric is just so YOU.

Inge Jane said...

Wow great job! I don't know if I could ever make a whole dress, I'm impressed! And this fabric is just so YOU.

Inge Jane said...

Wow great job! I don't know if I could ever make a whole dress, I'm impressed! And this fabric is just so YOU.

Maria- CityLaundry said...

this dress so fun!
you did a great job! :)

lovely blog, i'm so happy i came across it!
-maria
xox

City Laundry
Twitter | Instagram

Kaitlyn Hoffman said...

Great job! We love bows in our household. My 7 year just got her FIRST sewing machine yesterday for her birthday.

kaitlyn
Three SIsters and us

bluehuewonderland said...

Fun to hear the story about this cute dress. I like the fabric and bow add so much in this beautiful color. The dress looks lovely on you!

blue hue wonderland

Kim @ Kimberley's Quests said...

The dress and the shoes look so lovely together! The blue bow just takes it over the edge- well done!!!

Chantal said...

That is way cute!! Thanks for joining us!

Anonymous said...

Wow it came out really well! Great job!

Olga Rani said...

What a beautiful dress! So lovely print and that amazing bow and the tights are chosen in right colours.

Unknown said...

This dress is so pretty! I have no idea how to sew and hope one day I will. These colors are so fun and I really like the white piping seam.

Alice
www.happinessatmidlife.com

Saxon @ Lets Drink Coffee, Darling said...

You have great handiwork in this dress...it looks perfect! And yes...it is SO you! :)
And I'm over here "haha"ing about your comment about how artistic that picture Angel took was. I usually have to resort to self timer because I'm pretty sure Tyler thinks it is weird when he has to take pictures of me for my blog. haha

Amanda English said...

So fun and colorful! Loving this!

Diary of a Brown Eyed Girl said...

You are so talented! So colorful!
Would love for you to come check out my blog too when you get a chance!!

Suzanne said...

Oh my! This is so dang CUTE! And I can't believe you sewed it yourself! Great job. If I had done this it would all be lopsided with only one arm hole. You've got to be proud of yourself.

I just adore the fabric you chose and the bow really makes it, if you ask me : )

bisous
Suzanne

Lauren @ Style Elixir said...

Cutest look!

Thank you for linking up with Style Sessions!

Lauren xx
www.stylelixir.com

Zion said...

Great job. I wish I could sew!

Unknown said...

This drss does look great on you, such a fun color!
Ginny

Anonymous said...

I'm so impressed that you sewed it yourself! I think the white piping(?) detail totally makes the dress!

Shon said...

Yikes, glad it all worked out! The dress is fabulous on!

Vicki said...

That dress is gorgeous! I'm glad it all worked out ok with shrinking the pattern and everything!

~Vicki
decked out in ruffles

Priscilla - The Wheelchair Mommy said...

I ADORE that bow!

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

You made this?? I adore this so much!

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

I love that last pic! So pretty!!