I had bought some denim fabric last summer and meant to make myself a denim dress then, but just never got around to it. Last Saturday was kind of a hang out day at home, and I asked Ben if it was alright if I snuck away to do some sewing, so he and the girls hung out outside doing garden stuff, and I holed myself up in my work room until I had cranked out a dress for myself. I really loved this and this pin and wanted something similar to those, and sketched out some pattern ideas and styles.
I kind of played around with patterns (I pretty much make my own), and after some tweaking here and there (and trying it on and off after I sew every seam), I finally had it. I got kind of off on the sleeve seams, but Ben says I’m the only who notices. I think I’ve got this pattern down now as I made another dress similar to it with black linen fabric, and my sleeve seams are spot on. When I get time, I’ll pick up more denim fabric to make another, and slightly change it up, but will make sure the seam sleeves are spot on too. I’m a perfectionist.
It’s just a simple shift dress, so it’s not terribly difficult to figure out. I had wanted a denim dress Madewell had last summer (this one), but it looked so simple that I couldn’t get myself to spend $100 on a dress that I could make myself. Now, shoes, I can’t make those, and I’ve been known to be a little splurgy when it comes to my footwear, but that’s a story for another day. If I sew my own clothes, it kind of balances out right?! I love being able to sew my own clothes, it’s so satisfying.
I tell you, if you can sew a straight line, you can sew anything! I don’t know if this is super fast or not, but it took me about 3 – 4 hours to make this dress. Have you ever sewn a dress for yourself? It really is such a good feeling!
p.s. my shoes are these from lotta from stockholm and i totally love them!
I absolutely love this? What sort of difficulty level would you put this dress on? As a rookie seamstress I would love to try a project like this, but I’m somewhat discouraged!
I’d say start by kind of studying the clothes you have in your closet. Look at the curves and the lines and it helps you break down the simplicity of sewing your own clothes. When you think of it as curves and lines, it makes it less intimidating than thinking of it as a dress! What’s the most difficult thing you have sewn thus far?
*!
I think you are under selling your sewing skills…this dress is amazing!
I would love to know the pattern.
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
Even prettier than the original dress!!!
I just asked for a sewing machine for my birthday. Here’s hoping I can teach myself to make pretty things like this! 🙂
That dress is darling! If only I knew how to sew selves? whenever I even think of making a dress with selves my head spins : )
Beautiful dress. I think it is better than the madewell version. I just really like the sleeve length of yours.
So perfect! Good job!!! I find it so satisfying to sew any clothes but I am too much of a coward to try something for me…Clothes for my babies sand their babies have been my limit so far:)
Don’t! You could totally do it!!!
that dress is gorgeous! great job. i wish i could get into sewing!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
So adorable! Great pattern making, I would love to see more of your me mades!
You should share the pattern, this dress is so cute.
I wish I had time when I made my own clothes to really map out a pattern for everyone, but I get in the zone when it comes to clothes sewing and patterns are the last thing I want to do! My mind is thinking “I want to get this dress cranked out!”
cute dress! i love your work. I have the same theory – if i can make it, i dont buy it. and then spend $$$ on really nice shoes! like those Orla Kiely for Clarks shoes! omg i had to save up for those!
Yes! Shoes are my weakness. And those Orla Kiely ones for Clarks are divine!!!
This is inspiring! I have trouble talking myself into sitting down for hours at a time to work on things like this, but your dress turned out great and makes me want to try harder to find time for my sewing machine!
It’s so gratifying to make your own clothes! Don’t let the intimidation scare you!
Love this! You’ve inspired me to have a go at making my own clothes again, it’s something I did a little when I was in my teens (although we didn’t have a sewing machine and doing it all by hand kind of took the shine off..) and have been wanting to pick up again. Love the shoes too :0)
Yay! Share what you end up making!!!