Sunday 22 June 2008

Mama needs a new dress

A few weeks ago at church one of my former young women, now all grown up, had on the cutest dress her mom had sewn for her. Her reply to my compliment was, "You should borrow the pattern from my mom!"
/

Honestly, that was so sweet and generous. Lena didn't care at all if I sewed myself the same dress. She said: "Hey, it'll be a different fabric, they won't be the same." When I talked to her mom, my friend, and I found out it was a Burda pattern I was hesitant to try it. I grew up in an anti Burda home, but my friend assured me that Burda has long since started including seam allowances in their patterns and there was nothing to fear. In fact, she told me, because Burda is European the styles are much more fashionable than the domestic patterns.

.

I had this fabric in my 'stash' so all I needed was a $1.67 for a zipper and voila - my new dress. I even had this shell necklace which I didn't realize would 'go' when I first started sewing.

(Ignore the scrunched up neckline from the self-portrait arm, really the neck is perfectly round. The only thing I would change about this pattern is do the neckline not quite so wide. It works, but I'd bring it in a little if I were to sew it again. Oh, and how do you like the soccer sunburn? And do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your chest without taking a picture of your chest?)

I love, love the pleat detail around the neck. As a bonus the facing is just bias tape cut from the same fabric - I don't ever want to do a full facing ever again.
(Reading Anne of Green Gables aloud to Carmen and Chloe - it is the 100th anniversary of this book - get out there and read it!)

Sorry, no standing picture, but seriously! Go make yourself this dress!

16 comments:

jenny said...

Darling! I made Taylor a burda dress years ago. They really do have great patterns.

Price Cream Parlor said...

Cute fabric! I love that you just whipped up that cute dress in no time!

Marie said...

Very pretty! I would love to have a dress for under $2. And the shell necklace looks great with it. Barbara the fashion plate.

Amy said...

You couldn't look cuter! Love the dress. And love the chuckle I got from your "do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your chest without taking a picture of your chest?" line. You're pretty dang amazing!

Laurie said...

I haven't sewed a dress for myself in 20 years, but that may change now.... Cute!

Denise said...

Yeah, I just whip up cute little numbers like that for myself all the time. *snort*

That is one cute dress! I only wish I had the talent to make one for myself. Very impressive!

Hilary said...

You look adorable. Very pretty dress! I'm impressed at your skillz!!

Mandy said...

Cute, cute dress!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure if I sewed myself that dress that it would not look like that dress. Super cute on you!

I had to laugh at your "anti-Burda" home line. We were anti-caterpillars at my house, but not much else.

Ortensia Norton said...

I just might.
My sewing class was Anti-burda. SO funny to hear these great folk lores that live on.
I just about died today when only TWO of my students knew who Anne was. Time for some Canadian culture for them. I might break my rule of no movies in the last week and make them watch Anne. I bought the whole set at Costco.

Ortensia Norton said...

love the fabric BTW. Oh, I think you should make a matching one for JAclyn:-)

nic said...

So adorable! The dress is cute and the fabric is beautiful. Well done.

Tiffany said...

I love the dress--and what a perfect match for your necklace! I haven't sewn a dress in a long time--a few skirts, pj pants, home decor. I actually have some fabric waiting for me...gotta get going on that!

100 years for Anne? Wonderful! So funny that I know Anne is Canadian but I don't think of her as living in a different country. I know that makes no sense. ?

Bond Girl 007 said...

oh my, you look darling. i love how well it suits you. i am in awe...i have only sown sarong skirs and it was years ago...i must be out of the loop as i have no idea what burda is...but it looks beautiful. congratulations. what an accomplishment. now that is talent--i loved how you said, all i need is 1.67!

Jill said...

I'm seriously impressed!

Bren's Life said...

Wow you are amazing. I can't even sew a straigh line, let alone a dress with a zipper...
You look Fabulous!