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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!

Inspired by you! A simple, swingy-skirted dress.

Update: See what I did to this dress here!

In this Sewing Circle post a while back, Stephanie asked me for help finding a pattern for this ASOS dress. I think we did a pretty good job helping her find something, but it got me inspired!



I love the combination of wintery fabric with short, swingy skirt shape.  And retro bodice style, sort of, but totally contemporary!  Then I started seeing similar dresses around... love the shape and idea!



So fun, right?!

So for the bodice, I just went with a pattern I had and knew my size in, Simplicity 2444, and cut down the neckline.  The skirt was just a free-form circle skirt.


I wanted a heavy knit, and used this warm brown double-knit my mom had, although I gave it a woven lining so it's not really stretchy.  I liked the exposed zipper idea of the original ASOS, but I didn't have any appropriate zippers.  Actually, all I had was a black zipper... oops.  It's fine, right?  It's an invisible one anyways so the black toggle at the top is the most that it really shows.


The skirt's a little short, but it's definitely a wear-tights-with-me-please kind of dress, anyway.  Especially in winter!  After the jump: what it looks like on...



I love the swingy circle skirt!  Gotta make more dresses with circle skirts come summer.


What's your vision for a dress like this?

22 comments

  1. It looks lovely!

    I can draft half-decent circle skirts but I'm really scared of sewing a bodice. You make it sound effortlessly easy!

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  2. So cute. I love the color!

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  3. Anonymous2/01/2012

    I love it but I would make it a little longer. I don't have the gams for a dress that short.

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  4. So cute! If my machine wasn't at Montavilla right now, I'd be making one! The shape of that is basically my "standard," which I've made several variations on. Always the same skirt and basic bodice, but changes to the sleeves and neckline. I love them in cute floral prints and micro lengths (with shorts underneath) during summer; last year I made a sleeveless one in green seersucker for Timbers gamedays. I have one with short sleeves in a fauxboius-printed red taffeta my mother-in-law generously gave me in the works, though now I'm thinking longer sleeves might make it even cuter and more vintage-looking. As soon as I get my machine back, though, I'm copying yours; the double knit with opaque tights, flats, and a cute scarf would be perfect for late winter/early spring!

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  5. It came out really cute,love the color! You could probably throw a cute belt on with it too.

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  6. So cute! I am seeing these all over lately, and loving them...now I just need to find a bodice pattern I like so I can make one too! Whoo!

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  7. Wow, I've never seen darts on the bodice like that. Does it fit better than a dress with just two darts?

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    1. Sometimes--it just gives it a little more shape, and allows for a rounder bust shape because one dart ends at the bottom of the boob curve and another ends on the side. This pattern does have interesting diagonally pointing darts, though.

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  8. I love it! have you done a tutorial already on making a circle skirt?

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    1. Thanks! I haven't, but there are some out there... check out Kathleen's on Grosgrain! http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/05/mamas-gonna-buy-you-mockingbird.html

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  9. Way to go sweets! I love the examples and your creation is right on the money! Can you send some of your magical sewing abilities my way please? My new sewing machine is gathering dust! xx Natalie

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  10. I love it! Looks fun to wear.

    I have to ask about your hair care. Is it naturally curly? Do you put product in it? It always looks so wonderful and perfect. I'm quite jealous, I think!

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    1. Thanks! I don't do much to my hair; it's naturally curly and curls pretty easily. I don't put anything in it. Wish I could be more help!

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  11. Thanks so much, ladies!!

    It is a bit short... definitely one to wear with tights!

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  12. I made a couple circle skirt dresses this year and I always have issues with the slightest bit of wind...definitely tights!

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  13. I LOVE the darts on the bodice. What a great dress!

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    1. Yeah they're super cute--it's such a great, basic pattern otherwise, too, I now have like 5 dresses with those darts! But, they're flattering! Make the waist look smaller, I think ;)

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  14. This is so cute! One of my favorite things you've posted lately.

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  15. Jennie3/06/2012

    How did you cut down the neckline and did you lengthen the sleeves on the pattern? Thanks!

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    1. I cut the neckline down when I cut out the lining, just guessing where I wanted it to be and adding about 1/2" for seam allowance. Just freehand! Then I cut out the fashion fabric the same size.

      I actually shortened the sleeves to the length I wanted, because the pattern also has a long-sleeved option! Just by measuring my arm and then the pattern.

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  16. I love this dress. The darts are really unusual, but they go really well with the whole dress! Thanks for sharing, this inspired me a lot!

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