Pink and white summery dress with shirring

Pink and white summery dress with shirring

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• 7.07.2011

With all the wedding stuff I've been doing, it's been a little tough to sew for myself... but of course I still need cute summer stuff!!

A while back I cut out a bunch of dresses for myself, several using this, my old standby favorite pattern.  It's out of print but the idea is pretty basic--strapless, princess-seamed bodice and whatever skirt you darn well please.

I used a lovely cotton lawn that my mom had extra of.  It's almost sheer, very nice quality, thinner and crisper than a quilting print.  I cut out the bodice of a sturdy white twill as the lining, and actually boned it a little, just on the sides, to keep it up better.  I cut the front and back pieces out larger than I thought I'd need, and on the bias, and then gathered and shirred them over the lining.  I tacked it all down by hand since I didn't want the seams showing on this one.  Sometimes I don't care, but it's nice on this to have the anchor stitches hidden.

For the skirt I didn't use a pattern--it's just a bias-cut skirt to the length I wanted, scooped a little at the top for the waist.

Here's a close-up on the bodice.  To finish the top of the dress I used bias tape and hand-sewed it down, too, so it's a little thicker than it would be if I just sewed right side to wrong side.

It is super easy to wear and doesn't feel like it's falling down at all!!  Part of that could be that it won't fit if I gain 5 pounds, though... it's quite snug.  But in a good way.

I miss sewing for myself more!  Especially when it's summer, and time to wear cute dresses!  Have you made any great ones recently?