raspberry sally dress
October 2nd, 2013
******GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED******
Shannon from luv in the mommyhood asked if I’d like to sew up a version of her new pattern, the Sally Dress. How could I say no? It’s a simple dress with no closures, super big pockets, and three variations of sleeve length (zero, short, and elbow). The perfect staple dress, really.
But what fabric to use? I knew I wanted something for winter. I wandered around the fabric shop trying to find the right material: twill was too stiff, flannel was too clingy, suiting was nice, but too expensive. I kept coming back to the corduroy, but my mom jammed me into so many awful corduroy jumpers when I was a kid (sorry, mom) that I just couldn’t do it.
So I left the shop empty handed. I was all set to make a polka dot version out of some homespun fabric I had on hand. When I spotted this huge, raspberry purple, wool skirt in my stash. I picked it up for pennies at the thrift store ages ago. The plan was to make it into a smaller skirt for me, but there was just enough to eek out a Sally Dress from it!
The only thing left from that skirt is the waistband. I used every little bit of fabric that I could!
When I was just about done, there was a brief moment of panic when the lighting made the dress look like a bad waitress uniform (specifically, a Perkins uniform–if you live in the states). When I brought it out of the depths of my basement studio, thankfully, it was a lovely little raspberry jumper again.
If you make the sleeveless version, there is only 1 page of the pattern to print out. One Page! You get to skip all the pdf pattern puzzling, but there is some mental origami that goes into making that bodice. Don’t worry, Shannon holds your hand the whole way. And in the end you have a beautifully lined bodice!
It seemed a shame to waste the (already hemmed, perfectly matched) skirt lining, so I lined the skirt part of the dress as well. Now it swishes and twirls with the best of them!
But sadly, there wasn’t enough fabric to make the awesome pockets on the Sally Dress. I used the last little scraps to make some in seam pockets, but it’s not the same. Still, it’s a great little jumper.
How would you like to win a copy of the Sally Dress pattern? I knew you would.
******GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED******
The winner is #19, Erin! Congratulations!
******GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED******
To enter the giveaway:
* Leave a comment about what fabric you would use for the Sally Dress.
For additional entries:
* follow elsiemarley on Bloglovin, Feedly, or by email. Then leave a comment telling me you did (or already do).
* like elsiemarley on Facebook. Then leave a comment telling me you did (or already do).
* like luvinthemommyhood on Facebook. Then, that’s right, leave a comment telling me you did (or already do).
Giveaway ends Friday October 4 at 9pm (central time). Good Luck!
Don’t forget to follow along with the rest of the Sally Dress pattern tour to see all the different versions of this lovely dress!
* Shannon kindly gave me a copy of the sally dress pattern in exchange for this post. My opinions are, as always, my own.
Probably some thin, swingy corduroy with solid accents for the pockets.
I would love to make this dress with a thin velvet I found!
I follow you via Bloglovin!~
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I have some Anna Maria Horner velveteen that has been waiting for the right pattern. Pick me! Pick me!
I have a vintage sheet that I think would be perfect for the Sally dress.
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A light chambray version for our up-coming summer in Australia would be perfect!
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I love this outfit! The colors work so well together, and the bold solid looks so modern
Cuuuute! I would make one out of plaid flannel…a la lumberjack girly. I HOPE I WIN!!!
LOVE this pattern! My little ones have several plain tops and pairs of leggings, so I’m thinking that a light weight polka dot print would be darling for this!
I have been looking at this dress pops up all over the place today! Which MUST mean I am meant to make one! I would LIKELY use Poppies in Sun! Perfect transition from Summer to Fall!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153782436/organic-poppies-in-sun-mod-basics-2?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=poppies
I would love to use the Koi fabric that I have recently bought to make my neices a dress each for christmas – I know that time will pass quickly, so I’d better get my skates on!