I know I have this labeled as a “sundress,” but we’re just gonna go with minidress because… this shit is itty-bitty.
I used McCall’s 2185 to make this up. The fabric is some class of sheer cotton that has the appearance of printed cheesecloth… it’s really interesting. It was actually given to me by the same friend who provided me with that awesome slinky cheetah print – I know you are all totally jealous of this friendship right now (did I mention she is also my Life Partner? Truth.), I’m kind of jealous of myself tbh ;). Anyway, the fabric is super duper see-through so I had to underline the whole thing to keep things (somewhat)modest. I used batiste, and I’m actually kind of pissed right now because I’m not 100% thrilled with the finished dress and woe is me, that was most of what was left of my batiste š¦ BOO.
Anyway, the pattern was fairly easy to work with. It’s a size bigger than what I have been using lately (34 bust instead of my usual 32 bust), so I did pull in the seams an extra 1/2″ or so at the waist because the original look was pretty sack-like and extremely unflattering. Interestingly, the seams at the hip were WAY too tight – despite the fact that this is supposed to be an A-line dress! – and I had to skimp by on 1/4″ seams to make room for my legs. So weird. It’s still not flared enough, but ehh can’t do anything about that.
I also ran out of batiste on the length-wise so the hem is pretty fiddly. I had a good 4″ or so of dress fabric that was not underlined and it looked really awful. I ended up putting a facing of sorts at the hem, using bleached muslin (because I’m not wasting anymore batiste on this dress!), and then flipped it up to meet where the underlining ends. I had to hem the dress twice, but it works I guess. I considered adding a line of ribbon around the bottom of the dress to cover the seams, but they’re not terribly noticeable and I honestly don’t care about this dress anymore anyway. It’ll be good for puttering around the house on weekends – nice and cool for summer – but that’s about it. It’s so short!!
There was supposed to be a self-fabric belt, which I planned on making, but I was having major problems turning it right-side out – the flimsy fabric kept pulling past the sew-in interfacing & I ended up ripping a giant hole in it, ahem, mostly on purpose because I was angry and I wanted to destroy something. Whatever, belt, no one wanted you anyway! I like this turquoise belt better anyway. Isn’t it awesome? God, this belt is so awesome.
You may notice that I did not photoshop my roots in these pictures. Today I just can’t be arsed to care. Any they kind of look like shitty highlights, anyway lol.
I did photoshop a piece of trash out of the background though. Photoshop is awesome!
I know the facing isn’t even at the top of the zipper… NO CARE.
Underlining! And check out the zipper –
Have you ever seen a metal invisible zipper? I hadn’t!
It’s a little too thick for my invisible zipper foot, though, so as you can see, it’s not exactly invisible. Still kinda cool, though š
Oh, here it is without the belt
Boooooo
I guess I can muster up a smile, though.
Kinda bummed that I’m not OMGWTFBBQ about this dress, but ehh life goes on. I think it looks better in the pictures than it does in real life, to be honest š I still had a metric shit ton of this fabric (the original length I was given was over 7 yards and I’d be shocked if I used 1.5 yards on this dress), so I definitely want to make something else with it. I’m thinking the Chantilly. Thoughts?
I also just realized my birthday is in like a month and a half. Ack! Better get started on my Bombshell Birthday Dress š
LLADYBIRD 
So cute! I love your blog, and I am thrilled to hear of a fabric store in TN! I live in Knoxville and there’s nothing – looking forward to making a trek soon!
Ohhh yes, Textile Fabrics is gooood š Try to plan your trek for July; they usually have an annual sale during the whole month where all the fabrics are 40%-50% off š
Awesome! Thanks for the tip! š
The dress might not be what you were envisioning when you started, but I think it is really cute. Love the colors and love the belt.
I think it’s really cute and you can easily pull off a dress that length. But what doesn’t look good on you. The pattern and colours are great and I agree the belt is awesome.
I love it! It is super cute and the belt is awesome. Did you make the belt too? It reminds me of a belt on a Burda pattern I have. I wouldnt mine making something like this but in a maxi length. You look great. Love the blog too!
I wish! I actually bought the belt at a vintage shop in New Orleans a few years ago. I should figure out how to make some, though, because I just love the shape.
The pattern actually comes in maxi-length… and as a pant suit, hehe.
Love the print on this dress, despite your woes with it I still think it’s cute, and yep that belt gota whole lot of awesomeness about it!!
You are so awesome!! Love your blog! I read it everyday – you are never boring and you make sewing and building a closet so fun! Can’t wait to see some sneek peek at the bombshell dress you’re going to do for your birthday this year!
Cute dress (I’m really liking the watercolor-y florals), but that belt is FANTASTIC with it! It totally makes the outfit, if you know what I mean. If you think it’s a little short you could probably rock some turquoise or magenta tights with it for spring. Target has a bunch for like $5 so it might be kinda fun to try if you’re curious… I actually bought a bunch of crazy colors on clearance for $3.50 the other day. Hopefully they hold up ok.
Anyway, that invisible metal zipper is pretty sweet! Where did you find something like that?!
Ooh I can’t wear tights with this dress – not in the summer anyway. It’s already up to 90* here lol š BARE LEGZ ALL SUMMER (and my butt hanging out, oh well). But I’ll probably rock some rainbow legs when it cools down again š
I got the invisible zipper at the flea market last year! I also have them in lavender & mint green š
Ooof, yeah… tights in 90*… couldn’t do that either! Lol. Oh well, I don’t think it’s too short anyway without them š
I must have chilly weather on the brain. It warmed up to the 70s last weekend, then decided to snow yesterday! Boo.
Aww! I think it’s totally cute, actually, with and without the awesome belt. I had a similar experience last summer with a 1970s McCall’s A-line dress pattern being way snug on the bottom. Although that might’ve been because I was trying to use a 32″-bust pattern, not my usual 34.
I found some vintage metal invisible zips at the thrift store, but I’ve never seen them new. Unfortunately, I seem to be just as good at wrecking the metal ones as the plastic ones.
Hopefully a little bit of time and space away from the construction will help you feel better—some of my faves end up being things with totally crap construction or that were a huge pain to make—once I have a bit of time away from them to forget the trauma…
Love the belt – it would look cute the other way round with the button at the back too!
You know, I actually tried that but it doesn’t work too well since the back is elastic. WAH haha.
You’re right – that belt is uh. mazing. I was kinda hoping it was one of the ‘made’ parts so I could ask where you got that pattern. š The dress is ridiculously cute, too. Only a bit on the short side, but totally worth it! š
I love it! Both the dress and the belt! Wouldn’t that be great if you could provide us a tutorial on sewing that belt as well, huh? š
Cheers!
http://sewingyourstyle.tumblr.com
It looks great in the pictures. I assumed from the belted pictures that would be the only way to style, but I think un-belted it looked great, too! I hope you get some wear out of it.
That belt is fantastic! It really makes the whole outfit!
I just read today (you probably did too!) that Colette is coming out with new patterns on April 10! Maybe something there will be right for this fabric? I like the Chantilly for it, though… fewer seams will help that big print shine.
I hear you on sewing with the power of rage. I have seam ripped big holes in my projects before because I was too angry to be properly careful with the fabrics. I say OH WELL to you, stupid project (not you… to them. The projects).
Oh yes, I am PUMPED about the new patterns!! Gonna hold off buying the Chantilly until I can get a sneaky peaky at what is coming out. I can’t wait to see them!
Be 100% thrilled – that dress looks great on you…!
Chris
PS Much thanks for that post you did on working with knits. It has helped me a lot…
Uber cute dress. Love that belt
As always you look fantastic Lauren! Now I get the first three quarters of OMGWTFBBQ but what is BBQ? Is it like barbecue? Or is it something else entirely? I’m not down with the kids and the acronyms. Help me!
It is barbecue š Internet acronyms never make sense to me, but they always make me lol & I love a good lol HAHAHA
Right – I’m there now – I get it!
Uh oh – my bombshell dress is for my HS reunion coming up. Can’t wait to see your version.
This is adorable! And yes, it’s short, but in a cute go-go dancer way, not in a “Real Housewives” kind of way. I likes it, great colors, and that metal invisible zipper is so cool. I hate how flimsy most invisible zippers are, this is great.
Love this! I’ve got the pattern at home too. In fact, I’d thought about using the long version as my wedding dress until I pulled it out, layed it on the fabric and saw that someone had (shame) cut the long dress short and threw away the long pieces. I might have to still make it. š
Funny you should mention metal invisible zippers, I just used one – got it in perfectly, overlocked it in to the seam and then broke the pull on it š¦
I have no idea why you dont like your dress, I think you look adorable!
wait. really? you rock the hell out of this wee dress. the color, hemline, everything. and although i adore the superpowered belt…
it looks even better on you without it…
i want to write some abbreviation here akin to I KNOW I’M BLOWING YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW but i don’t know how to abrrevitalk.
I like the dress, it def looks better with the awesome belt and it doesn’t look like the pattern drawing, illustrators fail! The print is really cute and I it would look great as a Chantilly, you could do contrast neck and waist bands to avoid the pesky interfacing-belt-hole moment again!
Man oh man! You have been churning out outfits like crazy lately. Love it! This dress is super cute, and that belt is too die for. Belts are my favorite accessory, and I’m green with envy right now! Where did you get it?
I actually found the belt at a vintage shop in New Orleans a few years ago… I wish I had them in every color, though! I love belts too & this one is by far my favorite one ever haha š
Yeah, that’s not A-line! I kinda love a v-neck dress with a seam down the front. Might remind me of some J Crew dresses. The belt is perfect! It’s on the short side, but I think it looks good on you.
You were made to rock mini dresses. You look great
You look super cute– you can definitely pull off a mini dress! And that belt is amazing! You’re right– that fabric would look great as a Chantilly!
I disagree and agree: I think the dress is quite cute – a pretty print and a simple, classy shape, but I agree about the belt, it is really awesome, and makes the outfit.
I think it looks great! I’m amazed at how many impromptu alterations you made while sewing but it works! And I have never seen a invincible zipper with metal teeth. Kind of cool! I learn something new everyday!
The fabric would make an adorable chantilly! Its a fun floral. I think the dress is cute – I’d totally where it out, but then again I’m all about flashing the goods about on the street. Eh – keeps things interesting…Haha!
I’m also amazed at your on the spot problem solving – always making it work…
I think the dress is cute as!!! Even if you didn’t like it, I think it turned out well and u look so sweet in it š
Yep it is cute and with the belt even better. Glad the same fabric belt didn’t work out, and you enjoyed some cathartic anger letting too! LOL.
So cute! I like your belt but I have to put my two cents in and say I think it’s cuter without… like a little playsuit š It’s a win-win though cause it’s two totally different looks with and without, and both are adorable š
I think this is really cute.. with the hemline and the belt it looks sort of 60’s mod to me. I could be biased because I love the color of that belt to death. š
I just used an invisible zipper with metal teeth to finish a pair of clovers. I felt like it should belong in a museum – it was in its original packaging with a price tag of $0.45. After one wearing and one washing the zipper is now trashed.
Weird! You’d think the metal ones would be way more sturdy than the plastic & nylon ones.