Versatile denim ruffle off-the-shoulder top

8.18.2016

Versatile denim ruffle off-the-shoulder top

I just love the off-the-shoulder trend!! I've worn this top quite a few times, particularly after shortening it, and it was so fun and easy to make, so I made another! This time out of a lightweight denim and with a very different proportion to the ruffle!

I used McCall's M6558 for the ruffle and super basic loose bodice with armholes, but it's pretty basic and obviously mine doesn't look like any of the options on the pattern! I tweaked it a lot. (See below for details.)

I seriously debated between wearing it with white jeans or cut-offs or black jeans. I went with black to be more sleek ;) but it would work so well with either!

If you're inspired... pin from this post to save for later!

Pattern: McCall's M6558
Modifications:

• Extended the bodice of view A rather than giving it an elastic waist and skirt
• Made the ruffle 2/3 as long
• Cut the armholes a little higher since I knew from wearing this top that sometimes I want to pull the ruffle down a little lower than the armholes will allow without some bra showage!

And if you don't feel like sewing... now is a great time of year to buy fun, lightweight tops! Here are some similar ones at great prices!

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A versatile denim shift dress with organic cotton lace!

8.07.2015

A versatile denim shift dress with organic cotton lace!

I did it again. A shift dress, my favorite plain pattern, neutrals/basic fabrics. Several of my recent dresses have been white, denim, or black... and I've used Simplicity 2584 for 3 dresses this year!

This dress was inspired by a few much more elaborate denim and chambray and lace dresses... how pretty are these??

Source/Source/Source

That's a lot of insertion lace and embroidery!

I thought about doing something similar when I had a chance to try some organic cotton naturally colored lace from Organic Cotton Plus, but I was so overwhelmed by all the designs and options that I just had to go with something simple. I know that things are always nicer when you take the time to do them right... so I sewed these rows of lace on by hand (small stitches on top, large on the underside, in a consistent pattern).

I used used Simplicity 2584 without the neck slit and with the sleeves, though I cut everything a little longer and looser than the pattern called for. I wanted something very relaxed and comfy!

How cool is this lace?!

It's unlined, with a bias binding at the neck. The fabric is a lightweight denim (see more about denim vs. chambray here).

With the hot days and things to do, the shift dress, top bun, and sandals was kind of my uniform last weekend.

Necklace: F21. Tote bag: Target (similar/similar). Gladiator sandals: Report (similar)

I do love neutrals and classic, simple lines!

Thanks to Organic Cotton Plus for the lace!

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Dark denim versatile romper

7.16.2015

Dark denim versatile romper

The romper cannot be avoided these days.

I made this romper last summer, and shared this roundup of romper patterns earlier this summer. Around that time, reading one of my magazines, I came across this page and was inspired by these chic, fitted, interesting denim rompers. (I love denim in many forms!)

I also love the Anthropologie McGuire Sailor Romper in dark denim.

So, I found some nice lightweight dark denim and made my own!

I combined the simple tank dress top of McCall's M6744 (except I gave it an open button placket at the back so I could step into it) and the romper shorts of Simplicity 1355, a versatile dress/jumpsuit/romper pattern I've used several times even just this year (see all my uses of Simplicity 1355 here).

It's so fun to wear out on a hot day!

I had fun doing the top stitching and shapes of the pockets, a lot like the Anthropologie one.

Necklace: Jules Smith, c/o Favery. Purse: Old Navy (similar/similar/similar). Sandals: Old Navy (similar/similar). 

I highly encourage making yourself a romper this summer!

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Comfy lightweight denim ruffle top

5.01.2015

Comfy lightweight denim ruffle top

Notice a trend in my recent sewing? I love denim. I've been wearing a lot of it (mixed denim jackets and jeans, even!) and have now made two dresses (1, 2) and this top out of this perfect lightweight denim from one of the apparel collections at JoAnn. And I made this lightweight pinstripe denim dress the other week!

A long time ago I shared how to make a peplum top out of any dress pattern. Important stuff, people. This top uses method #2: a simple short gathered skirt attached at the waist of the bodice, in place of the skirt-length real skirt.

Except, to create a looser top, I didn't put in the darts on this Simplicity 1873 bodice, and I cut it out a size too big. (I chose this pattern because it does have a substantial bust dart in the side seam, which I did add for shaping. It is a very versatile pattern--see all my uses of it here!)

As a dress pattern, it's meant to be lined, but this denim is perfect for an unlined finish so I used single fold bias tape and trimmed away some excess seam allowance around the neckline and arm openings to give the same finished dimensions with a bias binding.

Loose = no zipper! Easy to sew and wear!

Of course it goes great with white jeans! (Who can wait till after Memorial Day to wear them!?!??!) I layered it under a boxy lightweight coat.

Jacket: J.Crew via Goodwill. Jeans: Lucky Brand via Goodwill. Purse: Nine West (similar). Shoes: Target old. Top: DIY!

Now bring on more warm weather like we've been having!

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Contrast stripe easy denim shift dress

4.23.2015

Contrast stripe easy denim shift dress

Three things.

1. It's been warm here, like really warm. 83 degrees. I'm making dresses again!
2. Denim dresses are great. So easy to wear, playful, carefree, neutral so they go with everything. Last year I made this looser one and this classic sundress shape one.
3. This latest dress project was inspired by this striped linen sheath dress by Lou & Grey by LOFT, long sold out. It came out last summer but these images have popped up here and there this year, and with the warm-but-not-scorching weather, I thought a comfy short-sleeved sheath dress would be perfect for the season. But, I don't have striped linen, and what you find in stores is often a little too lightweight for a dress. I did have pinstripe denim!

Source/Source

I used a fave basic pattern, Simplicity 2584, and cut it short and used the skirt panels from Burda 6853 (which I also used on this dress). I cut a pocket freehand.

I wanted to cut it against the grain for the main body and cut the skirt with the grain (stripes up and down), but I either forgot or didn't have enough fabric. (Cutting out is the hard part!)

It's really just fun to sew on a sturdy, medium-weight fabric like this denim. It's crisp and does just what you tell it to as you sew and press.

Loose enough, it pulls over the head! No zipper!

Very comfy! It was great to wear out to dinner Sunday evening!

Bag: Nine West (similar). Necklace: Old Navy. Hat: F21 (similar). Sandals: Target (they come in wide online!). Dress: DIY!

Hooray for upcoming dress season!

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Little denim dress, where have you been all my life?

7.14.2014

Little denim dress, where have you been all my life?

Update: Worn here!

Is the "Little Denim Dress" a thing? I think maybe it should be.

I bought extra of this denim when I made this dress, because I loved it so much and it was 50% off the clearance price, and boy, am I glad I did! I realized I've been needing a strappy dress that's playful and not at all dressy, to wear on hot days when I want something super easy to throw on but don't want to look dressed up in a dress.

I used my old standby strapless dress pattern, McCalls M5849, which is out of print, but is a very basic princess seam pattern. I use it a lot. I added medium-width straps, and I thought a pleated skirt sounded good. Something a little different. I also added some pleats down the center front, since I liked them so much on my first denim dress!

One big difference between this and my other dresses with my fave strapless pattern is I did this one unlined. The denim is lightweight, but still sturdy enough to keep most of its shape in the bodice.

To keep the raw edges from fraying, I pinked the edges. I used a bias binding at the top edge rather than a facing or lining to keep it in place. It worked out great! Here's an inside view.

It's like playclothes! I know we'll have much more hot weather, so many more chances to wear this new dress! The Little Denim Dress - I highly recommend it!

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