Tag Archives: stripes

5

A DRESS OF MANY STRIPES

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striped jersey dress striped jersey dress striped jersey dress, back view

I’m usually not a fan of long-sleeved dresses. To me, they tend to look either juvenile, matronly, or 80s (or all three!). So when I came across a designer dress that was hip and warm I jumped at the chance to replicate it.

striped jersey dress striped jersey dress striped jersey dress

So yes, technically this dress is a knockoff of Wendy Mullin’s Weimar dress. Of course I made some changes to the design: full-length sleeves, a tighter fit in the top, and I rotated the skirt pattern so that the stripes would run vertically (this completely transformed the way the dress looked on me).

I used a thick white and navy jersey I got from JJ Fabrics in the Fashion District (JJ is Fabric Planet’s downtown location). I used 3 yards of material, although I could maybe do it in 2.

I’ve been so happy with this dress. On warmer days (the temperature’s been fluctuating like crazy in LA) I can wear it alone, but for colder days or evenings at the beach it’s great with leggings and a sweater. I’m looking forward to getting lots of use out of this.

striped jersey dress striped jersey dress striped jersey pocket

I drew up a pattern as I made this dress, which is pretty straight-forward. The sleeves and the body of the top are one piece, with two pieces making the front. The skirt is just a 50″ rectangle of fabric sewn into a tube and gathered at the top with elastic, which is then sewn to the body.

I made another dress in a similar fabric for a NOLA friend, and I’m currently working on a plaid version for my boss/buddy in LA, so stay tuned for those.

2

SEWING WITH ALLIA

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I usually don’t make clothes for my niece, figuring that my mom supplies everything she needs. But I recently found myself with some scraps too small to make anything for myself and too cute to trash.

allia striped dress allia striped dress allia striped dress

Based on measurements I made Allia a sundress from my circus stripe fabric. It turned out to be a little tight and short, but it does look great on her, especially since she and I made some leggings together. Allia sewed the leg seams herself on my machine. She also picked out the elastic on the legs and waistband, and said the blue stripe fabric leftover from some tops makes her feel like Alice in Wonderland.

Allia pink glitter skirt Allia pink glitter skirt

Allia pink glitter skirt pocket detail Allia pink glitter skirt waist

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I’d also saved some pink satin with glitter from a superhero costume that was just enough to whip up a skirt. Again, Allia sewed the sides and did about half of the hem before asking me to take over. She also designed the pocket, based on a sewing bandoleer I’m working on for Burning Man. She drew the whole thing out and picked out shiny lycra scraps for each part.

scout headband scout

Allia also put her mad design skillz to work on her loyal friend Scout (she told me once that at nighttime it’s pronounced Scoot). Using a coiled S I had lying on my worktable and a short piece of elastic she made a lovely flapper headband. After Scout’s glamor shots Allia touched up some scratches on her eyes and nose with glossy black paint.

This was Allia’s first time on a machine and my first time sewing with a kid. It was fun to make her designs come to life, but there was an unexpected challenge in being supervised by an 8 year old. She wanted to keep me on task, and kept asking innocent but irksome questions like Are you sure that’s right? and I don’t think that’s the way to do it, as well as giving me pointers such as You should look at my drawing some more before you cut that fabric!

All in all, it was fun and great to see how excited the whole thing made Allia. I’m looking forward to making her a birthday wardrobe from some fuchsia sweater knit I’ve been eying at Fabric Planet!

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TEAL AND GOLD SUNDRESS

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When I got this moderately-stretchy jersey I was planning on making some baggy pants for Burning Man, but upon arriving back in New Orleans realized that most of my clothes were made for the California summer. I needed something loose and flowing to cope with the heat and humidity, so I whipped up this dress right away.

teal and gold sundress teal and gold sundress teal and gold sundress

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As always, this was my own design without any patterns or assists.

The stripes on the fabric are a light gold. It’s not too flashy but does make the dress a little more ritzy.

There was a bit of a challenge keeping this dress from looking frumpy–in order to keep the dress from sticking to my sweaty body I cut it a little on the large side. It took some critical thinking, but now I feel completely chic in this dress. I can tie the belt tight or leave it loose for air flow, so it’s got a bit of versatility. I can’t help but be impressed at how these thin straps always stay right over my bra straps.

teal and gold sundress teal and gold sundress teal and gold sundress

I love the pockets! This was my first time with full, gathered pockets and I think they turned out very well. I wore this dress to a party last night and was able to fit TWO cans of beer in each pocket (I was also wearing roller skates and had kitty whiskers drawn on my face, just to give you the complete picture).

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