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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

A preppy, happy, springy dress!!

Whew!
It has been off and on sunny this week, but I was too afraid of it passing to start any nice-weather projects.  But yesterday, I made this dress, which I think works for early spring (if I'm staying indoors) as well as spring and summer!
I was fantasizing about a 50's-inspired shirtdress, but cute and well-fitted.  Here are some of my inspirations...
I like the look of these but couldn't find a cute (and young) enough pattern--at least not in my collection.  So I used this pattern, which has waist definition but a cute detail of a high waist and large pleats.
I used the same fabric for both the top and bottom pieces, but did totally different sleeves than any of the ones provided.  I used the long, straight-ish sleeves and gave them cuffs.  I cut them too long for cap sleeves, then hemmed them with a big hem and rolled them back (kept in place with hand-stitching).
I added simple white cotton lace, the cheap an ubiquitous stuff, on the bottom.
I also played around with where to put the tie/bow of the sash... where do you think it should go?
Side tie, side bow, or back?
Just to be funky, I used four mismatch vintage buttons for the closure, and white ric rac at the neck/collar seam!
I have been way into blue/white stripes (which this fabric is, up close), and hoped to channel both JCrew and Anthro with this cutie.
I was afraid, after I cut it out and started sewing, of course, that the blue would make it look like a nurse's uniform!!  But I hope the ric rac and funky buttons make it less uniform-ey...
Unfortunately, it is rainy today, so I will be wearing jeans and long sleeves!

15 comments

  1. Love the dress! Very well done!

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  2. super cute. I'm personally a fan of bows tied in the back :)

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  3. YOU ARE ALMOST TOO TALENTED FOR METO BE A FOLLOWER.

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  4. wow you seriously are so so talented! i love all your stuff i wish i could do that!

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  5. Love the dress! I like the side tie the best.

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  6. Just found your blog randomly! I have that pattern and haven't made anything with it yet. I'm loving your dress though! It's beautiful and the ric rac at the neck is genius! I have to remember to do that! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  7. I just bought this pattern last week and can't wait to make it. Super cute. I like the side tie or side bow the best. I think a tie in the back reminds me of a diner waitress. ;-)

    Way cute!! :-)

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  8. You're right, Mere... I was afraid it might be sort of waitress-ey!

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  9. Cute dress! I like the side tie.

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  10. I love the dress! The tie is cute on the side or on the back. Impressive!

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  11. Really cute! I like the side tie.

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  12. I'm voting for side tie too. So cute, like everything else you do.

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  13. I love that! I used another pattern from that collection, and I found them quite easy. I will have to try it when I get a chance:)

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  14. This is adorable!

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