Yellow and Grey Maxi Dress

I made possibly the most comfortable dress last week--a jersey knit maxi dress.  Seriously.  I want to live in this dress. For the rest of my life.

I started with an XXL long sleeved striped grey t-shirt from Target on clearance for a few bucks.  I considered using it to make a dress for Olivia but decided to be selfish and use it all for me!

ME! ME! ME! ...Ahem. 

First I removed the sleeves (sorry I don't have any pictures of the process. I always forget that part).  Then using an exisiting t-shirt as a guide, I folded the striped shirt in half and cut and sewed the sides to make it fit.  Using another old t-shirt, I removed a cap sleeve and used that as a guide to make new sleeves.  Oh, and I cut the sleeves from the bottom of the shirt since it was already hemmed.  I'm all for making my life easier.

The yellow jersey was purchased for a few bucks (wish I could remember how much) at a local fabric store that was closing.  I basically measured my waist and mutiplied that number by 1.5 and cut my jersey that wide. I left the length reeeeeeaaaally long so I could cut it and hem it later to be the perfect length.

I stitched up the long sides of the jersey together and gathered the waist.  Then I attached the skirt to my striped shirt (which I had now cut off to be shorter.) Make sure you use a stretch stitch when sewing with knits or you won't be able to stretch it.  And that, my friend, does not make for a comfortable dress...or anything for that matter.

Anyway, after I attached the skirt, I decided it needed a little more.  So I added a sash. The sash is mostly attached but can be adjusted a little (it's not totally straight in the pictures...grrr). 

Then I decided it needed even more still.  So I added ruffly flowers. Everything is better with ruffly flowers. 

There. Better. Did I mention I want to live in this dress?

Oh. And I think it's time for a haircut. Ponytails everyday? Yup.

Happy sewing!

Two-tiered Yellow Skirt

I found a top at Goodwill that was made from a fun yellow floral.  I didn't like it as a top (not to mention it was an extra large) so I turned it into a skirt.
See all this yummy yellow goodness?

I took it apart and put it back together by adding another layer of white fabric underneath.  It needed to be lined anyway plus I wanted it longer. The felt flower is one I made awhile back and is just pinned onto the sash part of the skirt.  I can easily remove it if my mood calls for more simplicity. (I happen to really like adding a flower to my outfits though!)

 I also added a little bit of elastic in the back to make it easier to put on.  I love it!

I know summer's almost over, but yellow makes me happy.  So I will definitely be sporting my sunny yellow two-tiered skirt well into the cold season. :o)

By the way, my eight-year-old daughter took all the pics of me.  A photographer in the making perhaps?

Happy sewing!

Pillowcase Dress from a Woman's Blouse

I thrifted this woman's blouse for about $3.50. It didn't fit me but I loved the fabric and the colors (red and grey are one of my favorite color combinations). And I loved the pleated detail on the front. I bought it thinking I would cut it up to make a skirt for Olivia but changed my mind. I decided to make a simple pillowcase dress instead.

Here's the before and after.

Coincidentally, that little flower clip she's wearing, that just so happens to match this new little dress perfectly and that had been in my Etsy shop for months with no interest was purchased the same day I finished the dress. :o)  Oh well!

To see the a tutorial on how I made it, go here!
Happy sewing!