Simplicity 1355 / Create / Enjoy

7.13.2017

Off-white linen stripe cross-over romper. Or, when 3 patterns collide

Since last summer I've been picturing a lovely white striped linen wrap-look dress or romper, worn on a warm summer day with a bit of a breeze, and dappled shade. Well, I finally combined my inspirations and made myself one!

Here are some inspirations I've collected since last year.

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6.21.2017

Blue stripe circle ruffle tie neck sundress

I've participated in Melly Sews's Sundressing series for several years now! I LOVE kicking off summer sundress season with a DIY. This sundress is definitely the summeriest thing I've made this year!

I usually modify old favorite patterns, and this time was no different. I used Simplicity 1355, which I've made several times before (see them all here), with several changes... you'll see below.

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8.02.2016

More gingham! Simple black and white top

I just can't quit you, gingham!!

I've made two fabulous black and white checkered dresses this summer (this ruffled one and this fitted one) and I love them both SO much! They are both on my all-time fave DIYs list! I had some extra fabric from the larger buffalo check one, and have also been loving loose, simple tops this summer... so I made very efficient use of it and whipped up this top!

I used the dress and romper pattern Simplicity 1355 as a starting point. I've used several times before (see them here), even as a top (this striped one from last year) so I knew it would be easy!

I wanted it to be a little shorter than the one I made last year, and slimmer fitting. I also thought a contrasting tie (rather than self-fabric as the pattern calls for) would be cuter with this bold check!

It was so fun to wear with white jeans and my fave comfy espadrilles!

I love it as a summer look, and I think I may need to buy some more gingham (maybe a different color?) for some fall pieces in the next couple months! Until then I will be rocking my white jeans and summery pieces as long as I can!

Pattern: Simplicity 1355 (see my other uses of it here)
Modifications:

Made it as a top (lengthened bodice, but not too much
Made it more tightly fitting
Used a cord instead of making a self-fabric tie
Cut the v-neck deeper and did it on the fold instead of a center front seam

Shop the look below! This is a great time of year to buy espadrilles and they are so comfy and versatile!

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8.18.2015

Blue and white striped simple tie neck top and peach-picking

I woke up Saturday morning with an idea. I'd been loosely thinking about going out to a u-pick farm to pick peaches one of these weekends, but I wasn't sure how long the season was, and I thought it would be fun to make something loose, woven, and cottony for the trip. (I love going out to farms, I wanted to make it special!) I called the farm we go to (Jossy Farms in Hillsboro) and... this was the last weekend for picking peaches, and they weren't open on Sunday.

So, I went to the sewing room, found some pre-washed fabric and a simple pattern (Simplicity 1355, a recent fave), and... an hour and 20 minutes later (!!), I was out the door in my new top!

I wanted something really simple, since I didn't have a lot of time and wanted something light and airy for being out in the hot sun. Two inspirations here.

Source/Source

I used (and modified) Simplicity 1355, which I've used a lot lately. It's a dress and jumpsuit pattern, but I cut basically the top for view C/D, but extended the front and back pieces about 6-8" to make it a top. I thought about doing a dress shirt hem, coming up at the sides, or a slight high-low hem with the front a little shorter, but I wanted to honor the structure of the stripes and keep it symmetrical all around.

I also made the drawstring casing smaller and made the drawstring as narrow as possible. I think it's cuter that way.

The pattern has a seam down the center front and back to accommodate the slits, but I didn't want to mess with the stripes by adding a seam, so I cut a narrow V in the center front and gave it a tiny hem.

I chose to tie mine in the back, which takes a little coordination after you put it on... but preserves the smooth front look.

The armholes have a white bias binding.

A seriously fast sewing project!!

I don't know when the last time I bought a top pattern was (I don't make them often), but I don't like to do pattern-free, either--I usually find garments that are at least loosely based on a pattern are more flattering on me!

The top was perfect for our peach-hunting (hunting because there weren't many left on the trees, really had to look closely!) at Jossy Farms in Hillsboro. How cool is that barn??

We got... some peaches. Most of the really big ones were already on the ground! We got this box, and froze the ripe ones for later.

Shorts: Old Navy. Shoes: Old Navy (similar). Hat: Nordstrom Rack c. 2004! (similar) Belt: Vintage. Top: DIY!

It's the beginning of pear and apple season, though! We got a few too many pears.. not sure what to do with them all! I guess I could can them?? Pear sauce?? We try not to eat too much fruit and save it for special occasions, so I'd like to do something I can use slowly!

I love the top and it's exactly what I wanted for a hot summer day outside!

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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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6.18.2015

Finally, the lavender print halter maxi dress

Not until after I had designed this dress did I realize I was still trying to make the pretty lavender floral Anthropologie maxi halter from last year.

I used Simplicity 1355, which I've used several times, twice in making halter maxi dresses inspired by the original floral one. Last year, after multiple trips to the fabric store, I was never able to find a nice lavender floral fabric or anything remotely similar. So I ended up with this dress and this dress, both of which are great! but pretty different.

Then this year, I found this "famous maker" rayon fabric at JoAnn on sale. It's a great weight and texture, and I envisioned it as a maxi dress! I looked at my maxi dress-friendly patterns, and picked out Simplicity 1355 again. And... now, I realize, it ended up looking pretty similar to the inspiration!

I modified the pattern to give it some sewn-down pleats instead of the front placket opening. It ties in the back now instead. I also gave the skirt two side slits instead of a center front seam and slit.

So here it is worn out to dinner!

It's a great floral and so smooth, drapey, and fun to wear! I love this style for summer outdoor events (last year I wore the aforementioned maxis to two different weddings), and am having fun learning this pattern super well! Simplicity 1355, I recommend it!

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4.16.2015

Dress season is coming. Black and ivory maxi dress!

I don't wear a lot of dresses in the cold weather... so I'm very happy spring and summer are coming and I'll get a chance to wear (and make) pretty dresses! I've only made one dress so far this year, as evidenced by the sad 2015 group in my dresses gallery, so this maxi is a welcome addition and great way to get me back into dress-sewing mode.

I had several yards of this fun ivory and black triangle print knit and I hadn't known what to do with it, but I pulled out Simplicity 1355 (same easy, loose summery pattern I used for this lovely maxi dress I made last September and this romper (one of the other views)). As I did for the maxi I made with it last summer, I lined it (the knit is a little sheer) and so had to tweak the construction and ignore a lot of the instructions, but it worked well and gave me a lined dress that's a comfortable, carefree one-piece outfit.

The back is cute, too.

It's easy to wear and dress up or down, or for spring vs. summer weather!

It's been so nice recently, the edgy jacket over it was only kind of necessary!