Noosa Shift Dress by Sew To Grow

Hello!

If you haven't checked out Sew To Grow patterns you really must!  They are great for beginner seamstresses and an enjoyable quick make for those with some experience. 

Today I'm wearing the Noosa Shift Dress with a slight modification.  The pattern comes with flutter sleeves or sleeveless variations.  I made a slight cap sleeve by extending the shoulder about 3cms and I love it!  I also added 5cm just above the waist line (cause I'm tall!).  Oh, and the best part of this pattern is that it comes with the most perfect sized pockets (which, as you know, I usually add in anyway!). 

The fabric I used was a home made table cloth I found at a second hand shop - it's a lovely soft cotton and I couldn't resist the pretty floral. 

This pattern was gifted to me by Sew To Grow but all opinions are my own.

Me Make Remake.

What's a "Me Make Remake" you ask?!

It's when you make something, are not happy with it, never wear it, so you remake it!  Also case in point as to why you should make a muslin (practice version out of cheap fabric) first! 

Original version of the dress

I made this dress 6 months ago and despite loving the fabric, I only wore it once.  The neckline was too open and weird for my shape.  And the sleeves were just a bit too much with this big graphic print.  You can see the original dress here. 


To remake it I simply cut the front bodice out (the dress was also a bit too big so I had plenty of fabric to work with) and cut a new front bodice using New Look pattern 6262.  I chopped off the sleeves, but kept them in case I decide to reattach them come Autumn (perhaps I should just call this the "Indecision Dress"??!).  I finished the sleeve opening with bias tape. 


And Ta da!  A dress I have already worn twice in the past few weeks! 

New and improved dress!

 

Teamed with a cardigan for Church
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

New Look 6262 Dress

Hello!

I have been itching to use more of the beautiful fabric generously gifted to me by Marge Clothing (read more here).  They are so gorgeous I wanted to use them for something special.  When a close friend of my Husband invited us to his 40th birthday luncheon I knew I needed a new dress!

I used New Look pattern 6262 with the following modifications:

I added length to the skirt (standard for me!)
I lowered the neckline by 1.5cm, which may have been a mistake because I then had to take it up at the shoulders by 2.5cm!  I am not amply blessed in the bust department so the front gaped by my shoulders.
I inserted a regular lapped zip, rather than invisible zip.  I use a vintage sewing machine which does not have an invisible zipper foot.

It's an easy to sew pattern and I know I will be using it again.  And again!

Now lets talk fabric!  A good pattern is important, but the fabric makes it truly special!  This dress is lined, or really more of a hack where I sewed 2 layers together and pretended it was one layer.  I have possibly made some experienced seamstresses cringe, however this was the easiest way for me to wrap my brain around making it work.  I don't have much (any!) experience sewing with sheer fabric.

The top layer is a beautiful red and purple sheer and the layer beneath is a lush purple satin.  It feels AMAZING against my skin.  Have you ever put something on and just wanted to roll around in it because it feels so nice?  No?  Just me??!  I suspect this is how I would feel in any of the gorgeous pieces from the Marge RTW line!  The fabrics are incredible and more importantly, ethically sourced!

This fabric would have been gorgeous for evening wear.  However I can't remember the last time I needed evening wear, it was long before I became a Mama!  This is a dress I know I will wear a lot!

If you have special fabric in your fabric stash I say use it, wear it, love it!

Dress New Look Pattern 6262 ; Fabric c/o MARGE Clothing

Necklaces: Tiffany & Co
On Mama duty - fixing Miss 4's hair!



After the party - girls wanted their balloons in the photo too!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I Made It Monday: Chocolate Floral Fit & Flare Dress

I've been posting a lot of midi skirts lately, so to break things up I thought I'd make a dress... with a midi skirt... okay, I admit I have a problem.


I made this dress using New Look Pattern 6824, (the purple dress version) with slight modifications:

1. I shortened the sleeves.
2. I added pockets, because I love pockets!
3. I rounded the square neckline. 

This is a very easy to follow pattern and I love all the options available. 

I'm in the process of finishing another dress from this pattern.  Yep, another midi skirt!!



The gorgeous cotton sateen fabric is from
The Remnant Warehouse. 







Pockets make me happy!





This dress will be perfect styled with my white sandals for summer.



The wind caught my skirt, making me think I should make
a petticoat so my skirt is always this floofy (that's a word today)
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

A dress is the easiest way to look put together.  It's one piece, a no brainer! 

The fit and flare style of dress is universally flattering on all heights and body types, if you don't have one then you need one! 

I know that not everyone sews (yet!) so I want to share some great versions of this style of dress you can buy.  I found these online at Omika and they are a great length for us tall girls and all under $65.00!  To me a midi skirt loses all of its style and elegance if it's too short.



Ivy - Plum
A perfect & classic dress!

Nicole - Turquoise 
How stunning is that lace and those pleats?!

Katy - Cheetah
A subtle touch of animal print, I'm in love!
 

Liberty Dress
A great dress to dress up or down!
 

 

Mabel Midi Skirt

 

Shirt: Lee Cooper / Skirt: Made By Me / Shoes: Target



I just love the detail of this vintage floral fabric!
Photos c/o my wonderful Husband

I cannot get enough of my "Mabel Midi" I've worn it 3 times this week! 

If you missed last Monday's post on how this skirt came to be - check it out here.

Today I've styled it with some casual flats and my favourite Chambray shirt (more about the shirt here).  I think the belt ties the outfit together well while keeping it casual.

I am so in love with this skirt!  I'm sure I'll be sharing many more "Mabel Midi" looks!

Do you have an item of clothing you love to style in different ways?

Winterize A Summer Favourite

Now that winter is upon us in the southern hemisphere it's time to pack up the summer clothes.  I do rotate my wardrobe, but there are some pieces I just can't bring myself to put away.

This stretch floral denim pencil skirt is one of them (made by me). 

Here is how I take it from a summer staple to a piece that works in my winter wardrobe.

My apologies for the iPhone images but life got in the way of taking proper photos!

This is how I usually wear the skirt in summer.  Casual and perfect for running after toddlers.  I do sometimes dress it up with a nice top and dress shoes, but more often than not I'm wearing it as a casual piece.

Skirt: Made By Me / T-shirt: Target / Sneaks: Target /
Earrings: Made By Me / Necklace: Made By Me / Bracelets: Eastern Living

To make it work for winter I add black tights, boots and a black top.  I added a scarf which picks up one of the colours in the skirt and breaks up all that black! 

 

 



Boots: Diana Ferrari (old) / Skirt: Made By Me / Top: Long Tall Sally
Scarf: RM Williams / Earrings: Made By Me



 

For an extra layer of warmth, or to dress it up a bit more I'll add a blazer.  Black of course...I love it and just can't help myself!

Blazer: Cue (old) / Leather Earrings: Made By Me

Ta da!  From summer to winter!

Which pieces do you wear all year round?