Tag Archives: finished sewing project

Tiny princess

Tiny princess
I just wanted to pop in from all the Christmas/holiday/preparation/craziness to show you guys what is probably the cutest thing I’ve ever made. I’m dying. If you follow me on Instagram then you’ve already seen some sneak peeks.

I can’t remember how I got roped into making this. I’m pretty sure it was because my mom was telling me about my cousin’s two year old daughter who to wear anything not pink and my mom wanting to buy her a princess dress to bring when we visit them in Taiwan (For which we’re leaving tomorrow. Did I mention that? Because that’s happening. I should pack.) and I said “I bet I can make a cuter one for cheaper.” I’m pretty sure I won that, since this dress cost me all of $8.

I started off with this sketch. I knew I wanted pink with a contrast front panel, a flouncy overskirt, and giant puffy sleeves. And tons of embellishments. I made some adjustments but it pretty much came together exactly how I imagined it.

Tiny princess

My aunt sent me a list of measurements, which I used to just sort of eyeball the pattern pieces. This was difficult because a) the measurements were in centimeters, and b) she sent them back in May and tiny humans grow alarmingly fast. I added about 2″ to most of the measurements and ended up putting in shirring in the back and elastic along the back of the waistband to help with fit. And so it’ll hopefully fit her for more than five minutes.

Tiny princess

The other annoying thing is this fabric is such a terrible poly that it was constantly unraveling into fluffy piles everywhere. The fact that I screwed up the skirt and had to unpick the entire thing meant I was leaving fluffy piles of pink all over sewing club. On the bright side, Laney donated a gorgeous little flower patch that I stitched onto the center front. I was originally going to do another bow but I figured a bow on each puffed sleeve was enough and this looks much more polished. Tehe.

Tiny princess

So yeah, fingers crossed it fits her! And merry holidays everyone!

 

Who’s that girl?

You know that awesome feeling when you make a goal for yourself and you actually do it?

New Girl red dress
dress: self-made // capelet: Apostrophe (thrifted) // boots: Nine West (thrifted) // tights: F21

It feels pretty good.

New Girl red dress

I have a confession. I’ve been in love with Zooey Deschanel ever since I saw her in Bridge to Terabithia (which has always made me bawl like an infant, by the way), and when I got my Bon Look glasses a few months ago, my roommate asked me why on earth I didn’t watch New Girl. I didn’t really have an answer, so the next Tuesday, I snuggled on the couch with her and it was pretty much the best half hour ever.

New Girl red dress
New Girl red dress

Are you shocked that I was immediately inspired to make a dress from the show?

New Girl red dress

I used pretty basic pattern frankensteining for this one. I used Simplicity 1873 for the pleated skirt and then used Burda 7309 for the bodice and Burda 7739 for the sleeves, which I elongated to make them end just above the elbow. The dress itself is made of red cotton sateen and is super soft with a tiny bit of stretch. I might be wearing this on Valentine’s Day for whatever Boyfriend has planned that he refuses to divulge.

New Girl red dress

New Girl red dress

Still need to work on the lack of photo editing skills. We’ll get there.

Boots

Happy Monday, guys!

Floral pretties

I’m not sure why or when this started but I’ve been obsessed with florals lately. Obsessed.

I’m also slightly obsessed with this pattern! I love the cap sleeves and the amount of gathering in the skirt is perfect for surreptitious twirls.

DSC_0711
dress: self-made (02/2011 #101 by Burda Style Magazine), belt & headband: F21, shoes: Modcloth

Edit: Here’s a photo of the back!

DSC_0708

PS lookit my new sandals! I bought them as a yay-you’re-done-with-year-one-of-grad-school gift to myself. Sadly, I think they might be going back because my feet are super wide and they just don’t look that great on me. Boo.

Look, unflattering feet!

DSC_0700

It’s ok though, it’s possible that I have a pair of sandals from Lotta from Stockholm on their way to me..

Darling Ranges #1

Nothing like posting sewing projects completely out of order..

Here’s my first Darling Ranges dress!

Darling Ranges #1
dress: self-made (Darling Ranges by Megan Nielsen), headband: F21, shoes: Seychelles Ampersand

This is probably the least well put-together version of this dress that I’ve made but it’s one of my favorites. The chiffon was an absolute nightmare to work with but I like the end effect. Plus I was figuring out the pattern as I went along so there’s small iffy bits, especially along the placket and neckline.

Darling Ranges #1

I went entirely according to the pattern on this one but the waistline is a touch too high for my freakishly long torso so I lowered it by two inches on all of the other ones. It kind of works with the chiffon though, kind of a babydoll dress effect.

Plus now I have something to wear with my Seychelles. 🙂

Darling Ranges #2

Darling Ranges #2 detail

I know, I know. I have yet to post pictures of Darling Ranges #1. I only finished making the back ties last night and wore it for the first time. Have I mentioned how much I love this pattern?? I ended up making another one today, that’s how much. Meet Darling Ranges #2!

Darling Ranges #2
dress: self-made (Darling Ranges by Megan Nielsen), shoes: Nine West (thrifted)

I made a few changes to this one, but nothing huge. I added about two inches to the waist, and then made the skirt hit about 1/2″ lower than the other one.

Darling Ranges #2

I scored a huge stash of gorgeous prints when I went fabric shopping with my friend’s mom last week. This coral-y red print was my favorite of the bunch, and I also picked up a gorgeous pale spring green version of the same print. I think that one’s going to be Darling Ranges #3. Ooh maybe a sleeveless version!

Darling Ranges #2

No, but seriously. If you don’t own this pattern go buy it. Immediately. And then make at least four versions of it. Do it. Now.