Okay, so it's still tights weather around here. But I love the summery sewing season! Flouncy dresses in cotton florals? I can never get enough!
This is my own pattern, and a very simple one: sleeveless, boatneck bodice with a dirndl-style skirt that's only gathered on the sides.
I wanted to showcase the fabulous cotton floral, which I got at Paron's Fabrics. Paron's had a ton of fabulous prints that were all labeled "Ascher Studios" in the selvage (including the rose fabric of
this dress I made) and they were all so gorgeous; you'll definitely be seeing more of them here. I delved a bit into the history of Ascher, which is a fascinating story for another day.
I took a cue from a ready to wear dress I own and lined the skirt with poly organza. It has a lot more bounce than silk organza, so it makes the skirt incredibly fluffy.
Here I am demonstrating said fluffiness.
And here I am demonstrating my general sauciness.
The bodice is lined with a bleached cotton muslin.
The back neckline dips down a bit.
And here's my new favorite photo of myself, which I plan to supply whenever anyone asks for a picture for a bio or something.
Happy summery sewing!
Looks gorgeous with the matching headband! You are so very clever (and saucy!)
ReplyDeleteLooks so good, hope I'll get brave enough to sew and of course wear such a beautiful dress. You're my sewing-idol.
ReplyDeleteNice Easter from Maggie
love the dress!
ReplyDeleteI love it. That picture is super cool, too. I just need some courage to make a dress for myself.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is super cool, too.
ReplyDeleteKaunis keväinen mekko ilahduttamassa satunnaista turistia!
This is so cute! I've always worried that skirts with the gathering just on the sides would make my hips look even bigger than they already are, but this dress might be worth it...
ReplyDeleteOh my Gosh!! This is so so beautiful!! and It looks so wonderful on you!!
ReplyDeleteOooh! So beautiful! Would you consider doing a Craftsy course on this dress? I'd sign up in a second.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get my sewing mojo back on. I'm counting down the days until I can get my sewing machine out again.
ReplyDeleteIt's darling!
ReplyDeleteI second the motion for a Craftsy course - or maybe developing a line of Gertie patterns? This dress is gorgeous! And I love all your adorable poses :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd be very interested in learning about Ascher fabrics. I got a lovely print last spring and made a Ginger skirt from it (http://gksagenda.blogspot.com/2011/06/weekend-roundup.html) and have been curious about the company ever since. I haven't had much luck finding anything out though.
Such a pretty dress! I'm obsessed with florals lately.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips on lining - I like the idea of using the poly organza for the skirt but softer/more comfortable muslin for the bodice.
Wow! You look great in this dress! Love the fabric!
ReplyDeleteHow does the poly-organza feel against your legs?
ReplyDeleteLove the fluff, but I've trouble even with nice bamberg lining, so I never even considered this option. It looks like a great idea for summerdresses, so maybe I'll just have to try it and deal with the slither-down-you-seat-factor should it occur.
The dress is fabulous, and really showdases the fabric
The dress is delightful!
ReplyDeleteI have just begun wading through your Craftsy class on the Starlet Suit Jacket and am enjoying it immensely. After a preliminary look-through, I have to decide which of my friends gets a new suit!
SO cute, Gertie, I love this. Just the cutest dress so far this spring.
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what a doll! love this miss xo
ReplyDeleteToo pretty! I love floofy summer dresses too - so much fun to wear:)
ReplyDeleteSorry y'all are still stuck in tights weather... it was 90* here yesterday trololol. I already had to turn my a/c on (and I try to keep it off/windows open as long as possible, ugh!). Kind of terrified to see what real summer will bring lol.
it was 70+ degrees here yesterday and I woke to 3-4 inches of snow and still coming... so i will be pulling tights back out--sandals will remain at home. This dress is lovely! I just ordered some fun florals myself and some eyelet with a fun green for underneath--i think this dress would be perfect for the eyelet/green combo!!!! Thanks for all of your inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteToo cute! Fluttery floaty dresses are the most lovely and *comfy* thing in summer. I sometimes wonder why men haven't caught on to this.
ReplyDeleteBut I really have to stop reading your blog during the day, makes me want to run away from my computer to my sewing machine and I have too much work to do!
You are such an inspiration Gertie :) Time for summery floral dress!!! Hehe...
ReplyDeleteif ever you name this pattern for marketing, you should dub it the Dress Of General Sauciness. that's too good.
ReplyDeletei'm just about to post this dress's twin over here. i would call it the Dress Of General Sluttiness, because unlike its lowbacked sis, west coast gal has no back...
Can't wait to make my very own. To all creative and talented people live in Brooklyn NY?
ReplyDeleteDid you use a pattern or did you draft it yourself? I love the boat-neck line and how it dips in the back and I'd like to make something similar. Please share!
ReplyDeleteI have a RTW dress (purchased two summers ago) in the exact same fabric! I love when that happens. Lovely work :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Loved the lining tips. I too want to know how the poly organza feels against the legs.
ReplyDeleteI checked out the post for "coming up roses" dress. Did you post the tutorial for the shirred back? I'm very interested in learning how to convert a pattern. I never know how much extra material to use.
ReplyDeleteSo adorable!!! Love it!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for showing the inside. :)
ReplyDeleteThis came out great! I'm in love with it! Thanks for the tip on the organza too, will be using that on my next creation!
ReplyDeleteCat
www.catgotdressed.blogspot.com
I don't know how you do it Gertie - such energy and creativeness!
ReplyDeleteI love the fresh floral print - is it satinised?
Love the gathers on the skirt! I've been agonizing over what to do for an end-of-bolt bit of lawn fabric I bought recently. I wanted to do a dress with a circle skirt, but don't have enough fabric. I wanted it to be flouncy but am not a huge fan of full gathered skirts. This half-gathering is perfect!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress and cheeky fave pic lol
ReplyDeleteOooo, I love the poly organza underlining. Does this affect how you will launder the dress? Have you ever used organdy for an underlining?
ReplyDeleteReally cute and you are fun to read.
ReplyDeleteI love it! You're so inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress. I love florals! Great tips on the lining. It is so smart to use the softer muslin for the bodice lining. That picture is so much fun! I think you've captured your personality.
ReplyDeleteLook at that fabric! I am so envious of your talents. AND you are the cutest little thing ever and look so amazing in all your stuff. I love/want your life.
ReplyDeleteThis is so, so cute! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love!!! You look gorgeous in your new summer dress!
ReplyDeleteDelicious! I love the idea of lining the skirt with organza, I will definitely be borrowing that idea.
ReplyDeletethis is exactly the model I have in mind for a material that I bought recently; I have a dress that I can use to make the bodice pattern, but this type of skirt is something tricky for me – is it possible that you take some more pictures and share some tips for creating the pattern, please? Your reward will be even bigger admiration from my side :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your dress it looks gorgeous and so well made! Fabulous print too! XxxX http://thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteMy sewing muse! Love it.
ReplyDeleteLove the dress and the print, perfect for spring!
ReplyDeleteOoo lining using organza I will have to give that go and I think I have the perfect material in mind to use it with, thanks.
You definately, at some point, need a pattern line of your own and sign me up for the imaginary class too!! Oh, and a 'how to pick the proper fabric for the project' book as well! Haha! Thank you for.being so generous with all your awesome knowledge!!
ReplyDeleteI made my first skirt last night. Very simple one length cut in half and sewn down both sides so the selvedge was the bottom hem and a simple casing for some wide elastic. Only problem is I think I used too much material should have cut it down sure I look 3 sizes bigger in it than out of it!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous fabric!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to hear the Ascher story - I bought a pixellated rose print at Mood when I was in NY last year (which you can see here http://buttontreelane.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/2011-christmas-frock.html) And noticed it was Ascher, which I'd never heard of. Tried googling about this company but didn't get very far.
I'm so jealous that such a light and pretty fabric suits you so well!!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is so flippin' cute!
ReplyDeleteLove the print. I never would have thought to line the skirt in poly organza. Great, great tip!
ReplyDeleteI will definately be lining a dress with poly organza soon. I sew for a little girl who loves fluffy dresses so trust me when I say I have a ton of the stuff leftover in my stash from previous little girl frou frou dresses.
ReplyDeletewow it's a gorgeous flirty dress
ReplyDeleteSuprisinly i'm working on a similar dress wand im really having a hard time with it the thing is : i attached the outter bodice and outter skirt right?i did the same with linings then i sewed thelinings on the dress then i fliped but the results were very unstasifaying
the thing is i dont know how to attach them like you did with you dress speciallysercure it in waist
can you tell me how you attached them it please?
Oh, how I long for sewing for summer! I already started making spring / summer pieces and cheer up myself with floral prints as well :)
ReplyDeletehttp://sewingyourstyle.tumblr.com
This is so cute! I've always worried that skirts with the gathering just on the sides would make my hips look even bigger than they already are, but this dress might be worth it...
ReplyDeletehi there
ReplyDeleteive been hesitating to get your online bombshell dress class. i love it!!! but i'm a very new sewer.
i recently started following your blog. i just have to say you are the cutest thing out there!
and also, i aspire to grow up to sew like you ;)
http://masinski-kutak.blogspot.com
ReplyDeletewelcome :)
Is this the same dress that appears in the Fall 2012 issue of Stitch Magazine?
ReplyDeletethank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought poly organza was a no-no. It's like I needed permission to use it or something (shaking my head).
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