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.
One of the first things i made for my daughter after she was born was a jumper out of an old (but not worn) maternity dress i had when i was pregnant with her. At this point I am sewing for my 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. She loves leggings and tops and i would make her one out of very soft fine wale cordoroy…every child has to have at least one cordoroy jumper!!!
Honestly? I would probably let my daughter choose any fabric she wanted from my ridiculously large fabric stash. So I’m guessing it would be riotous with color, and likely cotton. Love this pattern!
Already like Elsie Marley on Facebook.
Now like luvinthemommyhood on Facebook.
call me crazy, but i love corduroy. i’d love to make it up in a soft cord for my two girls!
I would use a grey wool, maybe from a vintage mens suit. Paired with bright leggings and fun winter boots for a chic fall look!
I would use an old Gap floral skirt I wore in college (back when the Gap used nice fabrics) that doesn’t fit me anymore but would be adorable on my little one!
I love your Sally Dress and I love that you upcycled the skirt to use. Some of my favorite fabrics have been from upcycled clothing. <3
oooo, i love the color! Perfect for all seasons and great for layering!
I would make a version in khaki voile so my little girl could wear it as a school uniform. She’d love the pockets and I LOVE the idea of no buttons or zipper! Lazy momma!
i have a pretty yellow flowered that would look great!
i follow you with feedly ~!
i like you on facebook!
i like luvinthemommyhood on facebook
I love the briar rose line!
I would probably use a blue or a grey–my daughter has mostly pinks already :)
I’d use a fine wale (or no wale!) corduroy, sorry! For a summery version, something with linen.
I follow you on feedly.
I like you on facebook.
I liked luvinthemommyhood on facebook.
I’m dying to sew something with Fireflies in Coral from Teagan White’s Fort Firefly collection for Birch! (I’m being super-specific, but I’ve seriously been loving that fabric since it arrived in my local shop). The Sally dress seems perfect! Though, I might need to use that fabric myself, and then we’d be all matchy-matchy….
Hey, I follow Elsie Marley using Feedly!
And I like you on Facebook as Hamster and the Bee!
Lovely dress and lovely choice of fabric! I’d love to sew a version in a soft dark brown wool I picked up at a flea market and a pumpkin- orange lining.
Love your blog xxx
Lovely dress and lovely choice of fabric! I’d love to sew a version in a soft brown wool I picked up at a flea market and a pumpkin-orange lining.
Love your blog xxx