Today the voting is open for the first round of Sewvivor! After you check out my entry, please take a minute to pop over to Family Ever After to cast your vote (for ME:) The voting only open today, so thanks in advance for your support!
I have been so excited to post about my first project, the Summer Chevron Dress. This first week, the challenge was to choose a tutorial from one of the judge’s blogs, and make it our own. When I spotted this
bias cut dress tutorial on Tatertots and Jello, I knew it was just the inspiration I needed to add something to my summer wardrobe that is bright, fun, and chevron (I mean, c’mon!)
I used a favorite tee shirt to trace a pattern for the bodice and dolman sleeve, then I just added a gradual a-line to the skirt. Originally, this was going to be a maxi dress, but the stretch jersey I ordered was a little heavier weight than I had imagined, so I shortened it to knee length after finishing most of the construction. I am really happy with how it turned out (and I still might need to order some lighter weight stripes for a chevron maxi!!)
In the tutorial I used, Michelle does a great job of explaining how she lined up the stripes by looking through the material while she traced her pattern, to ensure they were straight. I followed along, and mine came out exact as well. For someone like me who is a little afraid of trying to line things up correctly, this turned out well! I love how the chevron pattern is continuous around the whole dress, meeting at each of the four main seams.
The details are what sets this dress apart from another. I added rows of shirring at the waist to give it a comfortable shape. Then I created little triangle tabs to gather up the edge of the sleeves. It had to be a triangle to stick with the chevron theme:) The pale blue pockets might just take the cake for my very favorite detail. You know how I like pockets in dresses!
The finished dress is super comfortable (sort of like pajamas…), on-trend, bright, modest, and original. I have already worn it a couple times, and know it will keep coming out more and more as the heat arrives in the DC area. It’s perfect for my busy life chasing the boys and sword fighting with sticks:)
HERE is the full tutorial for this dress, keep an eye out for some fun striped fabric for your own Summer Chevron Dress.
In the meantime (aka, right now:), head over to VOTE so I can SEWVIVE!!
24 Comments
I LOVE this dress! Can’t wait for the tutorial, although I’m still a little wary of sewing with knits. I think the cuteness of this dress will be enough to help me overcome my fear!
Love it! Voted:) Good luck, yours really is great!
Cutest dress ever! Love it and I voted too- good luck I hope you win!
Oh my gosh. If you were selling this dress, I would buy it in every color. I went over to vote, but thought I would honestly vote for the one I liked the best, even if it wasn’t yours. Ummm, no contest. Some cute stuff on there, but yours blew it out of the water. Looking forward to seeing your stuff in the contest!
I LOVE it. I can’t wait for the tutorial. I definitely want to make one!
Crap. I love that dress so much! You are so talented! I voted for you, it was by FAR the best choice! Well done and good luck!
You know you’ve got my vote. I am dying over how cute this dress is!
I absolutely love this dress. How much would you charge to sell it?
I have had a couple inquiries about that, and I’ll have to get back to you. I had a tough time sourcing this fabric (and bought the last of it from the shop where I did finally find it!) If I can get some more, I’d be happy to make a couple to sell:)
just voted… great job!!!
I would have voted for yours regardless- your dress was definitely the best! I need it. I’m plus-size and I can never find anything affordable and cute in my size. If you make any, let me know!
I love this, I voted for you, and I am making this today! Thanks so much for sharing
Good luck! I can’t wait to see yours!
I am dying. This is the cutest dress ever! I LOVE it!! LOVE. IT.
Great job!
Oh my goodness, I WANT this dress, but I want you to make it for me.
Maybe in coral or mint green would be good, as well.
LOVE this dress – can’t wait for your tutorial
Great you’ve made it to the top 8!
I absolutely LOVE this dress! I’m pinning it and maybe sometime I can make one like it! Following you now.
I’m glad you like it! I’ll be posting a tutorial of how to make one next week sometime, so it’ll be easy for you!
xo
I am in love with this great! Great job! I would love to know where you found that great fabric. I’ve had a hard time finding such nice wide stripes. Thanks!
Wide stripes are so hard to find! I finally spotted these on Etsy, and I bought the rest of the seller’s yardage. Etsy is a great resource for printed and striped knits in general, but there are still very few stripes wider than 1″. Let me know if you find some!
xo
Beautiful dress! Great job lining up the stripes and adding pockets. I also like the tabs on the sleeves.
Thank you! It’s totally those details that make it:) I’ll be posting the tutorial on Friday, so check back in! xo
Terrific looking dress. Stunning!
Thanks Heather! This was a fun and easy dress to make!