Sunday, June 20, 2010

Heart Cut-Out Dress

This has been such a productive week. I finished four dresses, worked out a new pattern, filmed a tutorial, and put in hours here at the resort. I'm feeling a little pressure to get things done since I realized I've been home for over a month--only 2 1/2 months left of summer! Besides, it's harder to get as many things done once friends start arriving. So I'm sticking with my goal of getting a 20 piece collection done this summer ("collection" is used loosely, because I don't necessarily expect the pieces to fit cohesively). Officially, out of dresses for the collection, I have 2 finished. So. 2 down, 18 to go. Once I get more fabric, it'll be easier to do.

Oh, hey! You're probably wondering why I'm chattering so much and not showing you photos! Well, okay. Since you asked nicely.

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I was super inspired by the heart cutout dress in my last Inspiration Wednesday post, and I even hinted to making one, but I didn't know if I'd actually be able to pull it of, having never done the technique before. On my second try, after some brainstorming with my mom, I cracked the code (interfacing, lining, topstitching, and then facings on the neckline). So this is my third go at it, and I think I'm addicted. It's incredibly fun, believe it or not, watching it come together. I kind of want to try a star cutout next.

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I made my own pattern, using the same style as I had on my Audrey Hepburn-inspired dress (with a few fit-minded alterations), copying a vintage sleeve, a built-in rumpled belt, and box pleats on the skirt (which I am obsessed with!). It fits me perfectly, and it's just... perfect! I am so in love with how it turned out, I want to wear it everywhere!

DSC_0028.jpg picture by Addikins

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In summary: This is my ideal summer dress. I can't wait to wear it all over the place.

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11 comments:

  1. Wow! That is incredible. I would be wearing that dress all summer too. My in-laws are bringing me some batik fabric from Indonesia...would you be interested in some?

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  2. Love Love Love it! So pretty. I love the polka dots.

    Thera Joyce

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  3. I love heart cut out dresses and was hoping you'd end up making one! You'll get a sweet heart shaped tan on your back now (hopefully not a sunburn!)

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  4. that is such a sweet dress! and it does fit you perfectly!

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  5. That dress is just beautiful!

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  6. SO ADORABLE! *I felt like this dress deserved all caps :) I love this dress and wish I had the talent/patience to make something like it

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  7. Amber - Thank you! Oh, I would definitely be interested... what price per yard?

    Thera Joyce - Thanks, dear!

    Kyra - Haha, I mentioned how cool getting a heart tanned on my back would be & my mom was like, "Sure, cool until half of it shows when you wear your bridesmaid dress!" Ah, ever the realist. I think it'd still be pretty awesome!

    Jessica - Aw, thanks!

    Claire - Thank you!

    Whitney - Shucks, thank you! I actually made a tutorial on how to do the heart, maybe it'll be useful? (I hopefully will upload it this week.) You can totally use it on any kind of top, as long as it's got facings instead of lining. It's much easier than it looks, you could totally do it!

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  8. Awesome! That's an amazing technique!

    Also, I'm having problems with commenting. Whenever I read a post and want to comment, the comment box doesn't show up unless someone else has commented before. It's probably just my computer, but I thought I'd let you know why I might squish whatever I want to say about multiple posts into one previously commented on post :D

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  9. Oh bummer! I hope it's not my site... because I don't know enough to try to fix it! Also, thank you. :)

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  10. that's a lovely dress! I like the pattern and the heart cut-out. your photos are lovely aswell, looks a bit like when I photograf my own-sewn dresses, haha. I always jump around in my backyard, trying to get that wilderness touch haha.

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  11. I found you on Craftster, and I wanted to tell you thank you SO much for providing that video tutorial on how to make a heart cut-out! You are a genius! I finished a dress using your instructions and wanted to say thank you!!

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I love hearing from people! Feel free to leave thoughts, questions, etc. Thanks, dolls!