I love the shapeless, loose dresses that have been popping up lately. I can do without spanx underneath and those dresses are just so comfortable. Sure they aren’t super flattering, but whatever, I like them. Now, the ones that have been popping up are like oh-my-freakin-guacamole-expensivo, so while I have bought a $400 pair of shoes once (this is full disclosure with a story behind it, and not my proudest moment, but hey! I wear them a lot and they’re my faves), I can’t pay that much for a shapeless dress. 1) It’s shapeless, so it’s not that hard to sew. 2) I’d rather buy nice shoes, than a dress, probably because I sew. I’m sure the dresses that go for that kind of Benjamins are handmade with love in the USA with the finest of fabric (and I’m all for small businesses, so I’m glad people support them), but hey, mine is handmade with love too (in the USA) and with linen, which is nice fabric, and only cost me $20, so that works for me.
I’m pretty happy with how my dress turned out, and seriously after you sew yourself a dress, it feels like you just went shopping without spending any money, especially if you have had the fabric for awhile. I have no pattern for you, but I have this sketch that you can use as a guide to make your own. It’s only two pieces (front and back) and it’s loose, so just use one of your looser dresses as a sizing guide, and I made the cut of the bottom portion more cocoon-like, and I did a wide band at the sleeves. It’s easy, I promise, just try it! My book won’t teach you how to make this dress, but it will teach you enough about sewing that you will eventually be able to make this dress and many more other things.
I also got to be part of Lisa Leonard’s lookbook, so I’m wearing her gold love banner necklace (sorry it’s sold out now). The girls love that I have a necklace with their letters, they declare this one their favorite necklace of mine.
Are you yea or nay on loose shapeless dresses? Would you try and make your own?
on me: dress, handmade by me (duh!). necklace, c/o lisa leonard. shoes, c/o lotta from stockholm. on true: dress, misha lulu. on the rest of the girls: dresses, vintage.
I loveeeeeee these dresses! I’m determined to sew more this year. Especially when I see how great your dresses turn out :).
It’s such a great feeling to sew yourself something. It feels extra resourceful. I vote for you sewing more this year!
Your dress is so pretty and I love your shoes! Simple and chic!
that dress is perfect! not sure if i could pull off this shape, but it looks fab on you!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
RUBYELLEN!!!!!!
It’s so great! That pink is P E R F E C T and so pretty on you.
And these photos are just gorgeous!
Well done – you’ve inspired me to fire up my sewing machine!!
(I couldn’t agree with you more on the super overpriced dresses, kudos to you for making your own!)
i love the dress… the colour, the shape, the length…. b/c of your blog i’m getting myself a sewing maching!!! thanks for the inspiration
Yay!!! I hope you love sewing as much as I do! It’s easier than you think.
Oh I am so so so NAY! But that is because they look terrible on me. I sew a little, and I see how cute these dresses look on you, and I know I could figure it out. But it would just be so unflattering on me. So even though I represent the “nayers” for wearing the dresses, I am still a “yayer” for the look on those of you who can pull them off. No matter what the project, thanks for all your encouragement to sew and create!
Love the color and how it could be dressed up or down. Thanks for sharing!
It is gorgeous and looks perfect on you! You really inspire me to craft/create more, thank you so much for that! if I find an exciting (and cheap) fabric, I may just go for it!
super cute. love the color and shape. i too love shapeless dresses. but cannot sew.
Gorgeous color and so flattering! You really know your craft well. xo
Danica
I know, it’s so special! God is great.
Love how your dress turned out, especially the wide sleeves!
I love this style dress! Yours always look so cute on you! I love to wear them bc I really do think they flatter my shape- a bit of mommy stomach that gets skimmed over and well, legs! I just made one this weekend with this pattern… http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9317-Merchant-Mills-The-Dress-Shirt
I shortened the length and sleeves and took out the front pleat. I also saw this free pattern that could be adapted to something like yours- if someone felt more comfortable starting with a pattern…http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2014/5/4/corinnes-thread-boxy-tee-three-ways.html
I love!
So now you have me totally curious about your splurge shoes! And I think this dress looks great on you. I have never tried a shapeless dress before, but every time you post a picture of one of your creations, I am always inspired to try one.
I say, give it a try! I know, my splurge shoes were so bad, but so good.
Shapeless dress looks great with happy smile. And you have that kind of smile. Love it!
Thank you so much! I used to get really self conscious about my smile because they’re so big and show all my teeth! LOL.
I’m so glad you tried to give us some direction in re-creating one of your dresses for ourselves! I’ve been wishing for that since you starting sharing your home sewn clothes with us:) I’m completely on board with the shapeless, minimal style, and think it’s all about the fabric in these dresses. You are so talented and I am thrilled that your blog has led you to do so much more with your craft, like a book! Congratulations! You deserve it.
xo, Sara
Thank you so much Sara. I’ll try to give similar direction when I share more sewn dress creations. And I totally agree, it’s all about the fabric in simple cut dresses. Linen is my fave to use!
you’ve inspired me to make my own dresses! I will have to blog about it soon. this one is my favorite yet. I would probably never wear a pink dress but I absolutely love this color on you!
Yes, please share it when you do!
Yes sister! This dress is perfection! The shape, the shade of pink- everything! I would like to order one please 😉
I have remade a dress from a long halter to a sleeveless shift dress knee length,. It was fun and cost me nothing except my time. I used a dress that fits me well I’d bought last year as a guide. I’ve lost weight on my top half of my body so I need to resist the shoulder straps but I love the material. It’s white with red flowers and leaves embroiled all over it switch a scalloped hem. Would put up a photo of it if I knew how just to show you. Love yours, very relaxed but pretty too 🙂