3.05.2008

sewing for the mama



OK, you must ignore my white winter legs (my husband affectionately refers to me as "white crayon") - I have not delved into the world of sewing clothing meant for adults until I encountered this great Built by Wendy pattern (Simplicity 3835). And now I am hooked. The idea that I can make a dress that I will actually wear for under $20 is very exciting to me, thrifty mother that I am. Has anyone else made this pattern?

54 comments:

melissa said...

Oh my goodness Lynne! I LOVE that dress! I love the fabric! And the pattern is absolutely perfect! Yes, I think the idea of delving into sewing for oneself is quite alluring. Especially since department store clothes are so, so expensive, and generally of such poor, poor quality. I must get that pattern!

melissa said...

And where did you find that amazing fabric?

nathalie bearden said...

wonderful! make one for me too! think sewing something for me would be a frightening task! you did great! at least your husband does not call you "white as a ghost." imagine if i did not have my year-round brazilian skin tone?!

amy turn sharp said...

I have the pattern
Am just scared (new sewer) You look awesome!

Anonymous said...

Hey white crayon... if my husband hears about that one I'm totally in for it because I make you look like you've just spent a month in Hawaii. Seriously. He affectionately refers to me as being translucent. Ha. But yeah, it's kind of true.

So, I love the dress. It's so very Carol Brady in a good way. But more to the point: truly excellent shoes. Nice choice.

Anonymous said...

Love your dress. I've made the elastic neck top from this pattern many times--as a top, tunic and dress. One of these days I'll get around to making this dress.

Dawn Elizableth said...

Cute dress, very classic. The print caught me off guard. It looks like you knit the dress at first glance.

Melissa said...

so cute! I love the simple shape--very stylish! And where did you get that cool fabric??? That definitely suits the pattern perfectly.

Anonymous said...

P.S. I forgot to mention that I gave you ladies a You Make Me Smile Award over on my blog. I'm so glad I found you guys.

lera said...

LOVE IT!

I have made many 3835 shirts, but not dresses. I have been contemplating them this week ... I was worried about the length. I have very long legs and I wasn't sure if it would look right, even if I lengthened it.

Unknown said...

Lera: lucky you, to have long legs!! maybe you could try it as a tunic, over jeans?

I found this fabric last year on clearance at Ballard Designs, of all places. Who knew?

Unknown said...

can I just say I want this dress? it is fantastic. I love your site - I feel so inspired when i look at the lovely things you two make.

meg said...

The neckline is fantastic! was it difficult?

Anonymous said...

this is perfect lynne! i love the fabric you chose. s great! equally terrific are those shoes!

Anonymous said...

this is perfect lynne! i love the fabric you chose. s great! equally terrific are those shoes!

Meghan said...

It is a wonderful pattern. Every time I see something from this pattern it always catches my eye. Lovely work. I also made one, and am very pleased with it. Hope to make another one soon.

Unknown said...

No! The neckline was not difficult. A little tedious, perhaps, but just a little, and not difficult. If I can make it, anyone can make it!!

Rachael said...

Another gorgeous creation from you very clever girls - it looks fab.

#A5 said...

i love love this pattern. the dress comes together so easily and looks so great. and the shirts- so gratifyingly quick and easy to modify for some fun variations. . .

i love the dress in this fabric- looks great!

and, hi! your blog is so much fun to read and look at.

alexandra said...

Lynne, that is adorable. I knew it was you when I saw those legs. Not bc they are white, but that musculature. ok, do I sound creepy? I am happily married, I swear! To a man! I can't believe you can make that dress for under $20! It looks great. In a very platonic way. :)

Jess said...

I just cut out the shirt from that pattern to wear in Mexico, but I didn't get it done.
That dress is fantastico!

Samantha Caffee said...

It's beautiful! Good job!

Unknown said...

Oh Lynne, that is great! Is that the same fabric you used for your doll clothes? It's very fun. And you've got some great legs there, cousin! I can relate with the whiteness comments. My hub always says the same kinds of things. Darn those naturally-olive-complexion people! :)

Linda said...

I am thrilled to see your very artistic site AND to see a young mom sewing. I used to LOVE to sew...and then just ...got out of the habit. I am hoping to get inspired to do something with some of my granny's old fabrics...if nothing else its just cool to see your creativity blessing your family!

Little Munchkins said...

I have only made the top once so far, and it was way too big. I had to do some shirring at the bust but it was too low IMO. I need to unpick that and do the shirring again.

I have plans to sew that dress in heavier fabric for winter. Just need to work around my long list of things to sew :)

Kelly said...

I've made this pattern a few times and I love it. The fabric you've used is perfect! -kb

Bec said...

That looks fantastic. I have made the dress but using the elastic top instead of the yoke bit, as it has been really hot here (subtropical Australia) and I needed some light airy dresses. But now we are coming into winter, I am keen to make the dress with the yoke and long sleeves, and do it in a heavier fabric (I used linen for the light dresses). You can see my attempts doing the Summer versions on Flickr if you like - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8481423@N07/2275572227/

By the way, this is a great blog. Very inspiring. Thanks!!!

Unknown said...

Very chic and cool fabric. Funnily enough I have been browsing the Built by Wendy patterns earlier this week and had earmarked this one, I think I will definitely give it a go now that I have seen your great version.

vintagechica said...

No, I haven't made that one yet...yet....and now after your recommendation, I think I will. Easter is coming up you know?

Joslyn said...

Lynne...you are totally so chic! that fabric was also on the cover of domino a while back on a couch, and i have to say it is perfect, perfect, perfect as a dress!

that's it. i'm learning to sew.

melissa said...

I totally laughed at Alexandra's comment on your legs. I would recognize those legs anywhere too. Your family is definitely known for having nice defined legs. Growing up in a house of four sisters and a mom who all have beautiful legs, I have a husband (your brother) who LOVES a nice pair of legs!

tammy said...

I noticed the dress on Sunday and thought it looked great! Keep inspiring those of us with little or no talent...for sewing that is!!!

Rubyellen said...

Wow that is fabulous! I have books and patterns to make something for myself, but that task seems too daunting and I never get to it! Making a dress for myself is scary!!! But yours makes it looks so easy and beautiful! I love the different looks with the shoes... and I love the shoes!

Linnea said...

This is the next pattern I want to make for myself! I am working right now on my first one but it is already addicting!
Yours came out great! I love the fabric! I would buy that if I saw it in the store!

Hilary said...

I LOVE your dress! I am going to go find Simplicity 3835 right now!

misschris said...

Perfect. I sew with reckless abondon for my girls, but always shy away for myself. This though? Seems doable.

And funny that someone mentioned Carol Brady, because we were watching the Brady Bunch last night by DVR and I was loving her dress. Ha.

Anonymous said...

This is a beauty! You should submit it to the Built By Us flickr pool (and you can see everyone else's variations too). http://www.flickr.com/groups/builtbyus/pool/

I made this out of a soft printed corduroy, and wear it to death. I can't wait to make a spring version!

Lauren said...

love the neckline and the adorable red shoes.... and the nice toned legs!

xo

Abby said...

you are really rocking that dress.... you and the dress look awesome.... well done. luv the boots and the red shoes....
great post.

Audrey and the Boys said...

Lynne-
I love this dress and think I will make it for myself. I love that you made it for under $20. Did it feel much more time consuming to make something adult sized rather than child sized?

Unknown said...

audrey - no, it actually felt like it came together quicker because it was bigger, if that makes sense... it was easier to stick all of the pieces together!

Leslie said...

Love that fabric. I think I might have that pattern also

Bethany said...

I think that dress is too fabulous!!! I love your red heels too! And you have perfect legs... your husband probably thinks so also! I wish I could really sew because the thrill of creating something like this is what I've wished for.

esther (chinny chin chin) said...

super cute dress. lovely with the shoes. also superfly with the boots. on the scooter no less. you go.

Unknown said...

What a hot mama you are. Oh, and a talented one at that!

Anonymous said...

so cute!

Anonymous said...

i just made a shirt with it this week, a bit worried that a dress would be too short, or look silly being the length i need it. you have inspired me to make this my easter dress pattern. it is so simple and flattering!!

April said...

oh the dress is GORGEOUS! I love 'sewing for the mama'; us mama's need somethin' pretty once in awhile too! Um, and how cute is that scooter?? Love it!

Stephanie said...

The fabric really makes that dress. I wish I had your sewing skills oh man. Look how fabulous you look in this dress!

Anonymous said...

This is gorgeous! So high fashion. And the shoes look perfect with it, too. :)

Joanna Goddard said...

adorable dress! (and you have great legs.)

Wendy said...

I just finished making a tunic out of that pattern. I liked the ties on the sleeves of the minidress, but my minidress days are LOOOONG gone. So I cut it to hip length and deemed it a tunic. The only trouble I had was with the neck facing. I decided to machine sew it and I should know that never ends nicely for me. I ripped it out and slipstitched it by hand. I'm hoping to get some good photos to post next week.

I love the fabric you picked and now I'm thinking I might need to make it again in a longer version. I can just as easily add length as cut it off...

Anonymous said...

LOVE it!

BTW: my legs are even whiter then yours so don't worry.

lisa said...

only just found your blog through sew, mama, sew and i love it!! gives me so many ideas. just stresses me out a bit as i am going back to work in three weeks!! how will i find the time?

anyways. ive made the dress but with the elastics at the top. ive made it twice and i love it. you can see one of them here: http://lyckoskatt.blogspot.com/2008/05/en-klnning-till-mig.html

thanks so much for ALL the inspiration youre both given me!!