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| Daughter Annie modeling the shift dress I made for her using Simplicity 2584. |
Annie says the girls at her college are big on wearing dresses once the weather turns nice. So when she was home for this past Easter weekend I whipped up this little shift dress for her, using that same Cynthia Rowley pattern I keep turning to for her and me.
Isn't this a great print? It reminds me of the sundresses I wore when I was a teenager in Palos Verdes Estates, CA, and New Orleans in the seventies. The brown and orange flowers in it definitely give this print a retro vibe. I got the fabric at Prime Fabrics on W. 35th Street, and I did a lot of playing around with placement of the large flowers before I cut the pattern out. By this I mean it's no accident that big pink rose is near the waist—placement of it here helps create some waist definition in a dress that's basically a rectangle.
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| I did a bodice-only lining in orange cotton for a fun contrast. |
Bottom line: A fun and easy dress to make, and Annie likes it very much. (She says her friends at college are very envious she has a mom who can make custom outfits for her.)
Must go to bed early tonight so I can get up in the wee hours to watch the Royal Wedding. Keep calm and carry on!
38 comments:
Super cute, I love the print
Super cute, love the shape and the fabric. so similar to that vintage dress I posted about last week. great look for spring.
OMG, you're a native So Cal girl! My husband grew up around there and we still are back in that area to visit his parents often. Love that you're really a local. ;)
That dress is fabulous!
Adorable! I can hear them now..."I wish MY mom could sew something for me'eee!"
Your placement of the print is perfect...thanks for the inspiration!
The dress is so cute and the print so cheerful.
I remember wearing dresses like that when I was young.
My daughter rolls her eyes when I ask if she'd like me to make her a dress.
very cute dress and so smart of you to think about giving the dress waist definition with the flower placement.
love the fabric! you are making the most of the pattern and every garment has its own personality!
Super cute and fun.
It turned out fantastic. I love seeing how many variations you've come up with out of just one pattern. We really don't need that many, do we?
Very pretty! Definitely retro! It's very Lily Pulitzer.
Her friends should be envious! I love it. The retro print, the orange lining, and the scalloped edge at the neck are all fantastic. It reminds me of the simple sheaths my mom would make out of Key West fabrics in the early 70s. I think they were knock off of Lily dresses.
Really cute! And I'm glad to hear college girls are in to wearing dresses. Hopefully dressing femininely is making a comeback.
Gorgeous! I do love a mega-print. :-) Yes, early to bed tonight.
Yes, early to bed tonight, girls . . . much festivities tomorrow before the dawn's early light! Check out Cidell's link for Earl Grey martinis . . . I think I may indulge in one while Kate walks down the aisle (at 5 a.m. East Coast time).
Love the bold floral print! Your daughter looks great in this:)
What a cute dress! Lucky Annie :)
What a great print, perfect for a shift dress! I love your print placement, it works really well.
Darling dress, Meg, and I lovvvve that print!
I have decided to get up and watch the festivities too! Won't happen again in my lifetime so its a must do.
This is just too cute. Perfect placement of that pink flower. And the orange lining, so nice.
GORGEOUS dress......just sent this link to D1.....
The fabric certainly makes a statement! Looks great on her and is beautifully made. Loved the comment about making it tighter - had a very familiar ring.
What a great print. You are so right: the strategic placement of the print does add waste definition. Smart thinkin'!
I meant to comment on your tunic below - the combination of fabrics with the gold trim works so well. I'm dubbing you the Queen of Trim. Seriously, when I approach a project, I need to think "WWLD?" - what would Lindsay do? I find your trim choices so inspiring.
Great fabric,great dress!!! I love the lining and the detail at the neckline.
Oh I love it, the print and especially the surprise facing color. Tell Annie I'm stealing that design!
Love the print, it is gorgeous!
Its a great dress and I see why Annie likes it so much!
Very pretty! I like the perfect print placement.
I LOVE the placement! It's so flattering / visually arresting on the waist.
I can see that you need to be careful with print placement, you did a perfect job, it looks great - modern and retro at the same time somehow. Nice to hear dresses are popular with young girls again. Enjoy the royal wedding!
Great dress! And her friends are envious? Way to go mom!
Love the dress - the fabric is adorable and that teeny trim!!
I am so envious of that fabric. It's the perfect find for that dress!
That really is superb fabric....I hope you got extra for yourself even if you don't use it for a while, Meg. I have to say flower placement is hard, hard, hard. I have a dress with a tiger lily that ended up at the waist when I really wanted it higher up.
It's lovely! And I like the way you used the print to give the illusion of shapeliness-- I wouldn't have thought of that!
Lovely! I was just thinking this afternoon that I need to start sewing myself up some skirts and dresses now that spring is here. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh how did I miss this come through my blog reader! This is positively darling! I love the print! Oh my goodness - its so fabulous! My eyes have been filled with shift dress stars lately and this just completely fits the bill! Lovely!
xoxo,
Sunni
This is one of the cutest things I've ever seen. I NEED this fabric.
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