Pages

▼

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Polka Dotty Dress

 There may be mounds of snow on the ground still, but I've started looking forward to spring sewing. Or, at least, transitional pieces! This time of year, I love to make dresses that can work on their own in the spring, or with cardigans and tights in the meantime.

So I just whipped up this version of Simplicity 2444. It's the same pattern I used for my "Home Sewing Is Easy" dress, just sleeveless. It's made in this wonderful cotton brocade from B&J, and I jazzed it up with black piping around the neckline, armholes, and waistline.


It pairs perfectly with these heart pumps by Mel. 

I want to go into more detail on the construction, so please stay tuned for another post.

Hair update! I put a coat of Pravana Violet over my last dye job, since it faded badly. I think this shade might be too cool/dark for me? I'm not sure.


P.S. Rosie pic!

at

45 comments:

  1. KamilaFebruary 20, 2014 at 4:42 PM

    beautiful dress, greatings from poland :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 20, 2014 at 5:00 PM

    I absolutely love that dress. You chose a beautiful fabric pattern. I also like the hair color on you. I think it works well with your skin tone. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kristin at SunnySewing.comFebruary 20, 2014 at 5:10 PM

    I actually thought your hair looked better in this color :)
    Yay Puppy!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ShannonFebruary 20, 2014 at 5:20 PM

    Gorgeous dress! I've heard good things about Simplicity 2444 so one of these days I will have to try it. I also like your hair this colour! I think it suits your skin tone.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KaitlynFebruary 20, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    Ah Simplicity 2444, of which I have two finished versions, two on the go, and at least one that I'm dreaming of. Your version looks fantastic

    ReplyDelete
  6. CarleeFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tera NelsonFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:22 PM

    I like it! But then, thats the same color I use, so I am biased! LOVE the frock!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2014 at 6:41 PM

    Isn't this weather incredible? Even though it's been above freezing for a couple of days, there's still so much freaking snow!!

    Love the dress and it definitely is getting me in the mood for spring!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnnaFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:22 PM

    The dress is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  10. lpFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:27 PM

    Great dress! Love it! Also, I always love your hair. You are my hair role model. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 20, 2014 at 8:37 PM

    Oh, I LOVE polka dots!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Old Jail ArtistFebruary 20, 2014 at 10:08 PM

    This is a great dress. You could wear it anywhere. The hair color is cool, too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2014 at 11:15 PM

    My hairstylist does about 30% Special Effects Pimpin' Purple with the Pravana, and that warms up the color nicely. It also fades to magenta instead of silvery! The dress is lovely

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mary DanielsonFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    So gorgeous! I absolutely love the piping detail - it really sets off those polka dots beautifully. Also, your hair color looks fabulous. I like the darker purple on you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. History HeroineFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:21 AM

    Hi Gertie, I love those polka dots, I love Rosie even more - so precious. Also, you are totally rocking the purple hair. Thanks for your very helpful and inspiring blog.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:50 AM

    ...and those shoes!...

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:51 AM

    ...and those shoes!...

    ReplyDelete
  18. My name is Peggy SueFebruary 21, 2014 at 2:29 AM

    Ohhhh this dress is a sweet dream!!! Beautiful!!! Kisssssssssssssssss

    ReplyDelete
  19. johanna@projects by meFebruary 21, 2014 at 3:57 AM

    Love.The.Dots!!! That fabric is amazing and the piping is striking!

    ReplyDelete
  20. NAAN POCENFebruary 21, 2014 at 8:36 AM

    It's a really pretty dress, Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sewing PrincessFebruary 21, 2014 at 8:42 AM

    Love the piping details

    ReplyDelete
  22. Living VintageFebruary 21, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    Very cute. I have a vintage dress that could be its twin piping and all.

    ReplyDelete
  23. BeckyWFebruary 21, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Your dress is adorable!! Love the dots and the piping is a perfect touch!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    I love the piping detail. Not sure if it is the way you are standing, but it looks like there is a lot of extra fabric around the bodice. Was that intentional?

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:28 PM

    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. DanicaFebruary 21, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Hi Gertie!
    I agree with all who mentioned the piping. It makes the dress.

    I have a question about the bust darts. I made a dress recently with those "burrito roll" - if that is what they are actually called - darts. I have to do an SBA to all my patterns, but had real trouble with those darts. I looked around for a decent tutorial for how to do an SBA for them, but couldn't find anything particularly useful. Could you offer one or direct me (or us SBA needing ladies) to somewhere on the web where we could find a good tutorial?
    Thanks again for the blog - love it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Marion Jane IsobelFebruary 21, 2014 at 2:54 PM

    Oh man, this dress is ADORABLE. Polka dots are such a weakness of mine. Looking great!

    ReplyDelete
  28. MarnieFebruary 21, 2014 at 4:05 PM

    I absolutely love this hair color (admittedly, purple is my favorite color) and my first thought before reading the post, was that I like it even more than the pink, for whatever that's worth. The dress is cute cute cute, too.

    ReplyDelete
  29. KellyFebruary 21, 2014 at 6:11 PM

    really nice dress but AWESOME hair. Keep them both

    ReplyDelete
  30. MaggieFebruary 21, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    Yikes what happened to the lovely pink? I just turned 69 last month, so pretty sure I am outside your usual demographic, but having said that I sew along with all your lovely patterns tutorials. You have to remember I lived the 1950's and 60's and wore the clothes when they were originally available. I can't tell you how much I enjoy all your creative energy.
    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  31. VickiFebruary 22, 2014 at 1:58 AM

    Love your pink hair. I think the violet doesn't do you justice.
    Love the dress it is gorgeous, I really love the piping. I just turned 50 and like Maggie am not your usual demographic but have followed you for years because your sewing is wonderful and you inspire me.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2014 at 3:36 AM

    Another over-60er here! Love your blog, and really like your polkadot dress. And those shoes are divine! I think you're very brave to experiment so much with your hair; I like the pink more than the violet. Cheers from New Zealand. Anne-Marie

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2014 at 5:49 AM

    Gorgeous dress Gertie!

    ReplyDelete
  34. sew.mad5February 22, 2014 at 8:40 AM

    Love the dress and your hair looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  35. SusanFebruary 22, 2014 at 11:31 PM

    Lovely dress, it flatters you. Congratulations on that wonderful spread in Vogue Patterns Magazine. Your work is a real inspiration. I was lucky to be picked for the "what are you sewing section" last fall in Vogue.

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownFebruary 23, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    the dress is great and your hair is even better, really suits you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Badass Disabled MumFebruary 23, 2014 at 4:31 PM

    Gorgeous dress, love retro look and polka dots and the hair suits

    Forget-me-Knot
    Louisa
    http://knottednelly.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  38. CynthiaFebruary 23, 2014 at 6:05 PM

    I love the dress! It looks terrific on you. I looked at the line drawings on the Simplicity website and I love the tucks at the waist which would flatter me more than gathers. I tend to make dresses I can wear with tights and cardigans in the winter or alone in the spring and summer. Our weather is so changeable, and I like multi-season clothes. Rosie is adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  39. uglybeatFebruary 23, 2014 at 6:07 PM

    Love it! I have made about 8 dresses from this pattern...it's perfect for teaching piano lessons! I use bias tape to do the edges of the neck and sleeves so I don't have to deal with icky facings. I like the piping even better though! Maybe I'll try that next!!! Cute pup. Like the violet, though I do prefer the pink too. Reminds me of pink ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    I'm another of your over-50 fans and enjoy your perspective on sewing and style. Just picked up this pattern and am wondering how much of a fba I'll have to make on it...and how... Guess it's muslin time! Carol

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    This is such a cute dress! I love the fabric and, of course, the piping. That said, I've noticed that Simplicity patterns tend to have wide, somewhat boxy bodices, regardless of the garment style. I mostly use my own slopers these days, but I'll admit that I was motivated to create them after struggling, yet again, to perfect the fit on a Simplicity pattern - and I have a broad-ish upper body. Not comically so, but enough to, in theory, appreciate a wider bodice pattern. Gertie, you're posing with your hands on your hips and shoulders slightly raised, which helps mask what appears to be extra ease along the side bodice seams. It also looks like there may be some gaping along the neckline. Are the photos tricking my eyes, or are these issues there? Has anyone else struggled with Simplicity patterns? Gertie, is this garment a comfortable fit?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Lelie // A Bouquet of ButtonsFebruary 27, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    You dress is gorgeous!! I'm making a navy dress with white polka dots. Polka dots rule!

    ReplyDelete
  43. FrancescaFebruary 28, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    I love the hair colour, but the pink suited you better. Maybe it's too cool or dark, or both.

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    The shoes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Second Hand RoseMarch 6, 2014 at 6:39 AM

    Oh my god this is one of the best looks I have seen in a long time! Firstly the dress is adorable, your shoes are amazing and OMG I am so in love with your hair! I've always wanted my hair like this, it's beautiful! XxxX http:thesecondhandrose.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie