dress: self-made // top: Ross // tights: Hue // boots: Clarks // earrings: thrifted

I think I’ve figured out what’s so fun about replicating designs. When you’re designing something original, you can do whatever you want with whatever you have. You get to make all of the choices. When it’s something else that someone else has created, you almost have to be more creative because the resources you have might not be the same as theirs. You have to take what you can find and somehow maneuver it or tweak it to look like something someone else created. I guess this is more valid with fantasy costumes than everyday dresses, but it still gives me a rush when I finish a project and it looks more or less like the original.

I saw this dress on Delightfully Tacky a few weeks ago and it jumped right up to the top of my to-do list. The original is (wait for it, it’s totally shocking!) by Dear Creatures. (No seriously, I’m slightly embarrassed and considering renaming my blog The Dear Creatures Fan Club.) I used Burda 7309 for the bodice and collar, but extended the front piece sideways by a few inches and cut two of them (well, technically four including the lining) in order to create the double-breastedness. Since the Burda collar only has front pieces, I also had to draft a back piece that goes around the neck and connects the two front ones. That took a bit of trial and error. I have no idea what the technical term is for the way I pleated the skirt but I’m going to call it a double box pleat because that’s essentially what I did. There’s also an extra snap button right under the left collar holding that side of the bodice up.

Holy crap though, nine buttons and a zipper does not make this the most practical piece of clothing to get in and out of!

Now I want to make this blouse to wear under it!