I had a very busy weekend. We took a trip to see Marc’s parents (and to borrow their traveling gear!) I also subbed as the pianist for a few masses, which I played while recovering from a severely bruised wrist (I fell on it while attempting to carry a duffel bag to the car… this does not bode well for our trip.) Last night I finally had time to get started on the project I had planned for the weekend, Vogue 8380. I’m using a stretch cotton sateen from Sawyer Brook (now sold out… I bought the last 2 yards when it went on clearance!) It is perhaps a bit heavy for the pattern, though I think it is one of the recommended fabrics.
I only have to add in the zipper and hem the dress – this project is very simple and straightforward. Last night I based the dress together to try it on, and managed to get myself stuck in the dress. I usually don’t put in zippers to test sizing – I can wriggle my way into almost anything, being quite double jointed. What I forgot was that this dress has an empire waist. I also cut the waistband on the crossgrain, so it doesn’t have any stretch. The dress fits fine, but I had to hobble up to the sewing room and use a seam ripper to get myself out! Hopefully I can finish the dress tonight after my lessons are finished.
I’m trying not to wear the clothes I’m taking on my trip this week, because I don’t want to wash them again (and I will be tired of them after 2 weeks of remixing!) Instead, I got out this dress, which I have neglected since making it.
Dress: made by me, Butterick 5523
Tights: Forever 21
Shoes: MIA
The problem that I have with this dress is that it is long sleeved. I like to layer cardigans and jackets over dresses in the winter, but the rather thick sleeves won’t let me do that. It’s also a solid color, and I almost never wear outfits that don’t have any pattern. I decided to pair it with these tights (I love these tights, and they are on their last legs… time to look for better argyle tights for next year!) Now the dress feels like me, instead of someone else!
Weird thing about these shoes… I had stopped wearing heels for about a year after I broke my toe, and when I went back to wearing them last year I thought these shoes were hideously uncomfortable. Now? I think I’ve grown accustomed to heels again, and they pretty much feel fine! I am still thinking about getting insoles for them, but I have really, really high arches, and adding depth to the bottom of shoes tends to make them bruise the tops of my feet… so probably not.
Green apples - Stitchywitch Creates 
That dress would look really cute with a simple little button up vest. I have a (store bought) dress just like that and I wear it with a vest quite often. I can’t wait to see the new dress all finished up!
I think you look super cute in this dress. The patterned tights are just the right complement. Adorable!
I love the dress. The tights are so cool paired with it. Sorry about your toe; I broke my baby toe once; very agonizing. You look good.
I really like the Butterick – but then I want to make almost everything I see on you! I’ve made the Vogue 8380. Yes, my experience is that the fit of that waistband has to be just right.
I like the dress and how you have styled it. Looks great!
I can’t wait to see your version of the Vogue dress, and your story about having to pick yourself out made me laugh. 🙂 I’ve found that those “hard” leather shoes like that just aren’t for me, I have a “high instep” (which I’m guessing is basically the same as high arches) and I always have to get my shoes stretched so that they fit properly and are comfortable. The hard shoes don’t generally work that way, but if you got them from a specialty shoe store (like Brown’s) they’ll stretch them for you if they can. Might be worth looking into so that you can put insoles in them.
BTW, have fun on your trip!
I really love that dress – and you inspired me to add it to my pattern collection when you made it a while back, although I haven’t made it yet. It looks great with the tights!
I had to de-lurk at last to say that I wore that dress today too! You totally inspired me to get the pattern, and I just finished it last night and wore it to work today. Mine is in the brighter turquoise sophia knit rather than the teal, and your tights are way more fabulous than mine, but still, isn’t it funny that two people across the country both wore the same handmade dress today? 🙂 Oh, and the dress you’re finishing up was the first dress I ever made! It’s a great pattern, and I love your green polka dot fabric!
I was just looking at that Vogue pattern the other day! I’m pregnant (next week I’ll officially be in the third trimester) and I’m trying to find easy things to make that I can just throw on and look adorable in this summer while I’m sleep deprived and out of it. I enjoy the very easy Vogue patterns. I like things as close to instant gratification as possible.
I so admire how many dresses and outfits you seem to have sewn for yourself. I’d love to have such a large self-made wardrobe! Are you doing Me-Made-March?
Wow! I just stumbled on your blog while looking for knitting blogs. I love your style and am totally impressed that you make all these yourself!
You make whipping up a dress sound so easy… well, despite getting stuck in it haha! I love the dress you’re wearing in this picture and you’re right, it looks great with those tights. Unlike you I love long sleeved dresses so this would be perfect for me.
son lindos los vestidos q confeccionas,admiro tu dedicacion a estas manualidades,soy del perú y yo misma confecciono mis vestidos,quisiera ver modelos mas frescos.te digo q todos tus modelos son bellos..y sabes lucir tus modelos.