Updated picture of my yellow floral "tunic"

When I first blogged about this blouse, I had made it to wear during pregnancy. Except it ended up too tight so never got worn then. When I tried it on a month or two ago, I decided the hem was too long. (I always think tunics are cute but never seem to like them on my body.) It then sat in my mending pile for awhile until I finally got around to fixing it. Aren't alterations a pain?

What do you think? I really like the new length, and only have issue with the warmth of polyester fabric during summer months.

Simplicity 2668 - Brown w/ white polka dots baby dress

Surprise! Rachel's and my Easter dresses matched! You might be rolling your eyes or think it's super corny, but I have always wanted to do that if I ever had a daughter. It just seems special to me. And it's not like every dress in her closet has to match mine. She'll probably think it's really un-cool 10 years down the road, but for now it was fun.

Notice her dress has a little bow over the left shoulder just like mine. I did the bottom panel in pink to make it girly and young. I bought some white lacy trim to stitch where the two fabrics come together, but decided against it at the last minute. Also notice the pink bias tape I used to finish the armholes. That was just for fun.

Here's the story on this dress. I procrastinated and finished it up right before midnight on Saturday. Sunday morning rolled around and we weren't running early. (We never are, really.) I figured we would just take pictures after church like we did last year. I wasn't thinking about the fact that Rachel is a baby and her dress would be wrinkled and spit up upon several times, nor that she'd be exhausted when we got home and only interested in going to bed. So here we are a few days later after a fresh washing and pressing, but still looking ever so smart and sassy!

This pose cracks me up. It's a little blurry, but I love how she appears to be dancing.


This was suppose to show you a close up of the bow, but getting a baby to cooperate during a photo shoot is so difficult. I finally gave up.

I still want to get some pictures of us both wearing our matching dresses.

BTW, my Vogue 1176 dress was featured on Vogue's facebook page. I'm not a huge facebook user, but I think the pattern pages are so fun! I've discovered some new talented seamstresses through them.

Vogue 1176 - Michael Kors brown w/ white polka dots dress

This is my Easter dress for 2011. I didn't get one made last year while I was pregnant and was determined to finish it this time around. (And for the record this was completed by Wednesday evening, but I was asked to help out at my church's AWANA club meeting that night, so am just getting around to taking pictures today.)

Gorgeous, right? I LOVE this design. It's simple, sophisticated and a little retro all at the same time. The pattern was a dream and all fit together perfectly. I couldn't wrap my mind around how that front tucked area worked until I actually had the fabric cut out and followed the instructions.

I knew when I first saw this pattern that I wanted it in a polka dot like the envelope dress. Only I couldn't find a polka dot in grown up colors for anything! I looked for months before finally locating a few on Denverfabrics.com. I bought this one and another in navy and white. They were both 100% cotton, but this one was a bit beefier so I went with it. The lining is a silky polyester something or another that I've had forever. It raveled like nobody's business but was thicker then normal lining fabric so was easier to work with.

Since this dress has a full lining, I decided to fit the lining first and eliminate any need to muslin. Then I could just cut the polka dotted fabric out and stitch it up without any issues. The problem was, the main fabric and lining fabric are totally different and did not behave in the same ways. I got the lining to fit like a glove and then had to totally refit the main body fabric to have it tailored to my form. I let this seam out and pulled that one in, over and over, and it is simply an answer to prayer that this thing fits and all the seams lined up. Honestly!

Here at the side is the invisible zipper. I restitched the bottom part below the waist seam several times and finally had to throw it in the dryer on hot to get the fabric to shrink back to normal.

I added the pink shoes for a little pop of color. And also to match Rachel's dress, which you shall see soon.

Oh, I just love this front bow area. SO CUTE! The fact that this is a Michael Kors design just has me brimming with pride. I don't know that many designers, but I certainly know him, and I am tempted to tell people this is one of his dresses without any further information. I won't, but I'm tempted.

Notice how the width of the top pleat is exactly the same as and lines up perfectly with the shoulder strap. This is fantastic drafting, people. This is the kind of detail that makes me happy.

Okay, here are the changes I made:
1. Took in the front bust cup seams 1/4" on the lining, and then had to really pull in the one vertical bust seams on the outer fabric. It is not at all a fitted seam and if you want a good fit you are going to have to adjust yours as well.
2. Shortened the length by 3" and eliminated the back slit. I always eliminate back vents when possible - just my personal preference.
3. Interfaced the neckline facings. Really, this is a must IMO.
4. Cut down the width of both bows by 1 1/4". They looked a tad disproportionately long to my eye.

And since I knew I'd be cold in church, I bought a white cabled cardigan at Target the other day to match. The buttons were plain and casual, so I replaced them with a bit of bling. JoAnn's is currently having a 50% off sale on buttons. I toted all my summer projects there in 3 large shopping bags and stocked up!

I love this dress. Truly. I haven't been this excited about a finished project in a really long time. It fits perfectly and I feel so pretty wearing it. It has restored my confidence and I'm back to loving this hobby once again.