WELCOME

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!

Soft summer plaid dress

I'm in the summery dress mood! Most recently I doctored up this pattern, McCall's M6350, which I also used for my lighthouse dress, modifying it to feature some gathers in the center of the bust and giving it a waistband for extra play with the plaid.


It has a nice slight point at the center front of the midriff panel, flattering shape, and the sweetheart neckline is nice!  I obviously didn't give it the pleated overlay on either side of the bust on this dress, and I gathered under the bust instead of using darts.

I gave this a fuller, longer skirt than I sometimes do--a little more old-fashioned, romantic, sort of Anthro-ey rather than trendy and short.  Easy to wear!

This fabric, by the way--super nice quality lightweight cotton voile, that my mom got by accident from her wholesale supplier.  They sent it to her by mistake and rather than have her ship it back (it was on super clearance to begin with) they just had her keep it. But she has no use for 15 yards of it--or any of it, actually.  So I took a little off her hands!  Free fabric!

Not bad, for an almost $0 dress!  Now I need somewhere to wear it. ;)

32 comments

  1. Anonymous7/05/2012

    I adored the design of your lighthouse dress so much I picked up the pattern for myself. This dress is adorable as well. I need to get this dress made!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome! Yes, I'm pretty happy with the pattern!

      Delete
  2. It's gorgeous! I love seeing what you've made/modified.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it! Dude, that dress can go anywhere! Picnic, work, you name it. And the perfect material for hot, sticky nights! You just made me add that pattern to my wishlist when the next McCall's sale comes around.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, thanks for the ideas! It is great for summer. Def keep an eye out for those $1 sales!

      Delete
  4. I love it! The fabric is wonderful and the length is perfect! It fits you so well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SO jealous of your dressmaking skills! I need you to come and make me a dress!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very pretty! And the free fabric makes it even better. I love feminine summer dresses, I wish I had more chances to wear them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, still working on that! So far, date nights, family backyard parties, picnics...

      Delete
  7. Anonymous7/05/2012

    Beautiful. I am so in love with your version of this dress, voile is so nice to work with! Another pattern to add to the must-sew list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yes, the fabric is great. And it's a fun pattern!

      Delete
  8. gorgeous! I love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. It looks great. I think I like your version better than McCalls!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Super cute! Pretty sweet that you got the fabric for free, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, wow! I envy your sewing skills! -Marci

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks, folks!! Oh, aren't summer sundresses the best?!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous7/06/2012

    Another dreamy creation. Great work. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ohh I would so love a dress like yours!

    ReplyDelete
  15. You look soo pretty! The dress suits you very well, I’m in love with your style!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for sharing,these dresses are best choice for summer!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fantastic dress, and styled beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  18. These pictures turned out great! I really love how you styled with your adorable skirt. Great shoes too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. It kills me that the plaids on the back don't match. Sorry, but it's too evident!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks for pointing that out! It's silly because I have SO much of that fabric, too, I should have just cut both sides to match! I think I just get stuck in a fabric economy challenge every time I cut. And I honestly hadn't noticed until now! Oooops!!

      Delete
  20. Of course this is the best choice for summer!Love you blog!!<33

    ReplyDelete
  21. THE best dress I've seen on here. It looks very professional. I love the fuller skirt on you. You should try more of these, it gives you a nice silhouette for your shape than straighter skirts. You've convinced me to pick up this pattern and make my own summer plaid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaw, thanks, so sweet of you! I like the full skirt, too. I think I WILL make more like this, thanks for your comment!

      Delete
  22. Question.... so I found this pattern and saw that it called for boning/casing, as well as lining. Did you do that for this dress?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hm, good question. I didn't read the pattern but I imagine the boning/casing would be helpful on a strapless version. I also made a strapless one (posting soon) of a stiffer fabric, though, almost like canvas, and it doesn't need boning. The straps on this dress hold it up just fine, no boning structure needed, but if you're using a soft fabric and no straps, it would be a good idea, as with almost any strapless dress.

      Delete
  23. I didn't notice this pattern before, but its going on the wish list now!

    ReplyDelete

Search

© Create / Enjoy • Theme by Maira G.