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.
I follow you on feedly!
I have this nice blue birdy “Tweet Tweet” cotton fabric in my stash that seems to scream: “Make me into a Sally dress. Pleeeeeeaaaaase!!!” (Honestly, how can you say no to a fabric that desperate?) ;-)
I have a light blue cotton tablecloth that was my grandmothers that would be perfect. I have already made shorts out of it but there is plenty more fabric! Thanks Alison
love the simplicity of the lines…. would like to try in velour and add 3/4 sleeves for the holidays…
thanx for the opportunity….
s cree
follow on feedly, bloglovin & newsblur….
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That raspberry is yummy! Love it. And I would love to make a couple of Sally dresses for my granddaughters. I follow you on feedly.
I’m thinking about a Marimekko remnant for this jumper! I follow elsiemarley and luvinthemommyhood on facebook. : )
I would love to win this pattern! I have a couple different plaids in my stash- one that would be great for christmastime. Thanks for the chance!
I will use a solid fabric. And love your version.
I follow you via email
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I follow Shannon via FB
I have the perfect fabric for this! I was just at Mood in NYC and got a gorgeous silk panel print. I think it would be perfect for the skirt with a solid color for the top. Love the pattern!
I’m thinking just a plain ole cotton fabric would make it a wonderful everyday kind of dress… sleeveless or short sleeves of course so a sweater could be layered in cool months and still have the ability to stretch out the wear for warm weather.
[…] a few updates for this Friday morning. The Sally Dress pattern giveaway ends tonight! Make sure to put your name in the […]
I would love to make a dress for my daughter in a nice Liberty fabric I have.
I follow you on Bloglovin <3
I follow you on FB
I follow luvinthemommyhood on FB too (from now on)
I would use a nice cotton or maybe try it in a knit.
I already follow you on bloglovin’ :)
We live in Florida, so cotton!
I already follow you on the old reader