New year, new pics... and a dress you haven't seen!
My lovely and talented wedding photographer-turned-friend Becky of Studio 623 Photography took these for me. It was hard to decide between them for what to use for the blog, my Twitter, Pinterest, etc.
Which reminds me, I've got to share the story of the dress with you!
Inspired by some of the romantic/retro-ey lacy things I've seen around stores recently, I went to JoAnn looking for something pretty to make a dress out of, hopefully to wear for the new blog pics. I was totally discouraged by the scratchy laces and too thin or too thick weights they had, until I realized what I needed was a stretch lace.
You've gotta love lace-covered dresses in cute colors...
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| ModCloth |
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| Lace Affair |
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| Fossil |
I didn't find any of the perfect stretch lace at JoAnn, but they did have this super cute stretch net with polka dots woven in! Even better!
I used an old fave pattern for the bodice, Simplicity 2444, and scooped out the neckline. I also made the bodice about 2" shorter than the pattern called for, to make it a little more contemporary and funky.
The skirt is just gathered. What really makes the dress, I think, is the lining--it's a mostly cotton interlock from JoAnn, but it was more expensive than the fashion fabric! Like $12.99 a yard! I had a coupon, of course, so it was okay, but that's more than I usually spend on any fabric, much less lining. But it was so perfect.
I wanted to make it a pullover style, but when I tried that it was a little too loose. So I added a zipper in the center back, which was good because then when I added the brown velvet ribbon belt it was easy to just hand-stitch it in, not worrying about it not stretching over my head.
I love the little brown velvet bow at the waist! And the crocheted lace around the neck and sleeves. The velvet kind of makes it seasonal for winter, right? Haha. I look forward to wearing it to a party this winter or spring! Any recommendations for accessorizing?
Very feminine. I love lace dresses too. I think a pearl necklace would look nice with this dress.
ReplyDeletethat is so pretty!! cant wait to see it on you!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! And I really like the new profile pic. I'm scared of sewing with lace - do you have tips on that? My main concern is the visibility of the seams.
ReplyDeleteStunning new profile pic!
ReplyDeleteI have been head over heals for all of the lace dresses I have been seeing... yours is beautiful!
I think this is one of my favorites! Super cute.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! I've had my eye on a pattern to make a lace dress for a while...I think it will be my first project if I ever get a sewing machine again! I'm used to working with much heavier fabrics, though, so I don't know how it will turn out. I'm seconding Katie's question about any tips to work with lace!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love this dress! you look gorgeous, and check out the bling on your wedding finger!! Loving the blog as always.
ReplyDeleteI just made a lacey dress, too. Yours is so cute!
ReplyDeleteThat is so pretty!! It reminds me of that Stella McCartney dress that I have seen on a couple of celebs. It has a polka dot netting on the sleeves. I am going to have to check out Joann's.
ReplyDeletei hear ya at not finding good lace. i think i'm going to head out and look for that knit though! :) i really love this dress!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to ask in my previous post. Is that Joann fabric online? I don't have a Joann near me :(
ReplyDeleteI love that fabric! Do you think its available for sale on the website?
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!
ReplyDeleteSo cute......
ReplyDeleteLOVE the dress!! Also love the blog :) you give me so much inspiration... I am new to sewing but am having so much fun with it!
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thanks so much, friends!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately JoAnn has pretty crappy selection on their website... I doubt this fabric is available there. Fashion Fabrics Club has a lot of laces: http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/search/search.aspx?page=5&source=searchbox&keywords=lace and they may have a stretch net kind of thing as well...
Oh, and, sounds like I should put together a post about sewing on lace. Will do soon!
ReplyDeletecute!
ReplyDeleteThe brown belt makes the dress - so simple but a big impact. Love the fabric too! Simply lovely.
ReplyDeleteI like the lace overlay type dresses - so pretty. You could have a lot of fun with accesories - short gold necklace, or fun flowery/feathery headband, or long pearls twisted witha chain or ribbon, or long layered gold necklace with beads of color. Go crazy!
ReplyDeleteVery nice dress! I like the new profile pic too!
ReplyDeleteOh wow this dress is stunning and such lovely portraits of you! I'm inspired by this lace dress and the fabulous details you've added. I have red stretch lace I want to create a dress with too!
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeballing the stretch lace at JoAnn's for a while but I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do with it (maybe just a top?). Your fabric is SO pretty though. The dress turned out awesome and you look fantastic in those photos!
ReplyDeleteKayla
Freckles in April
I DID notice the new photo the other day - what fantastic photos - you look stunning!
ReplyDeleteAnd that dress is gorgeous. I really love how you talk us through how you put your projects together, it's so inspiring :)
Beautiful pictures and gorgeous dress! well done
ReplyDeleteYes please put up a post about sewing with lace!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen that fabric at Joann before and I go there like twice a week lol. I'm jealous!
Super cute-- going to have to keep my eye out for stretch lace now!
ReplyDeleteAaw, thanks, ladies! Yes, lots of options for stretch lace... I highly recommend trying it out and will post about sewing on lace someday soon!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress! I am loving a bit of lace at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that dress. It's darling.
ReplyDeleteI'm about a year late to the party, but I was going through the blog looking for lace dress inspiration after buying a bunch of fabric from the swap meet. Coincidentally, I found the exact polka dot fabric for $1/yard! I didn't even notice it until I saw your profile picture enlarged!
ReplyDeleteIt's in the first picture! Tee hee!
http://vintagezest.blogspot.com/2013/01/fabric-shopping-weekend.html