Color-Blocked Tracy Reese Dress Revamp

I made this dress 6 weeks ago but wasn't quite happy with it. It was a well drafted pattern and the fit was exactly right, but I didn't feel like the proportions worked well with my body. Thanks to some helpful feedback from my readers, I decided to shorted the cropped overlay by an inch. That wasn't too terribly difficult, but I did have to stitch some things by hand that were previously machine stitched.

After that, though, I still wasn't happy with it, so I chopped 5 inches off the length. Now I love it! Sometimes I give up on things that seem like a ton more work because I completely hate altering, but I'm so glad I persevered this time.

More pictures after the jump and don't forget to tell me what you think!

Mood Sewing Network African Wax Print Roundup + Contest

The African Wax Print challenge for the Mood Sewing Network has wrapped up and I've made a collage of all the awesome garments everyone made:

Mood decided to host a challenge on their Facebook Page. Here's what they had to say about that:

"A few of our Mood Sewing Network bloggers participated in an African print challenge last month where we asked them to create their best look using their choice of one of our prints. They're all so fabulous that we need your help choosing a favorite! We're offering the winner an extra $50 credit, plus a $50 gift card to give away to one of you! So vote now - the one with the most likes and shares on this original post by Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. EST will be our winner!"

Obviously, I would love to win. More fabric? Yes please!! Also I'd be able to gift one of my awesome readers a $50 gift card to Mood, which would be super fun. Click HERE to vote for me. All you have to do is like the picture of my garment. And if you must, click through to vote for one of my fellow MSN contributors. ;)

African Wax Print Maxi Dress

For the month of January, the members of the Mood Sewing Network were given the opportunity to work with an African Wax Print, also know as Ankara fabric. I've never looked too closely at these fabrics. They come in such big quantities, and I've not needed 6 yards of anything for a garment, so I skipped right by them. When asked, though, I thought - why not? It might be fun to work with a new-to-me fabric. I chose the Gold and Dark Navy Waxed Cotton with Gold Metallic Foil, the one with the foil leaves. There is also the same colorway with peace signs in foil instead, if that is more your style. I did a ton of searching through google images and even created a board on my Pinterest account of garments made in this type of fabric. What I really wanted was a jacket and fitted pants combo, but I wasn't sure where I'd wear it, so decided on a maxi dress instead. I got out all my fabric hog patterns to choose from, in order to use as much of the yardage as possible.