Cotton Candied Dress // What I Want in a Dress

At least that's what I like to call my new dress. The pink and the blue colors remind me so much of cotton candy. I'm excited, for soon I think I shall be opening my online shop. With each sewing project I've done, I feel more and more confident that I can sew and sell my cotton frocks. The key is, that I actually wear the things I make -- and feel pretty when I put them on. That's always a big plus. <3 I mean I don't have a pair of jeans I feel nice in. They are all too tight, or too low, or stretch out too easily, or are just plain unflattering. So a big hurrah for another dress I can wear with ease, and feel ladylike in. I know, it doesn't take a pretty dress to be a lady, but it sure helps!

I made this dress to wear to my cousin's graduation party this July. She has all sorts of fun decorations planned and I can't wait to go there in my new pretty dress.  

There is a little old fashioned quilt shop in a small town close to wear I live that I just discovered recently. I went there to buy my fabric for this dress. I couldn't choose a better place to shop. I has shelves and shelves of pretty floral old-fashioned fabric to choose from. I could spend hours of my time in there, not to mention tons of money if I had tons. 

Whenever I go there I get compliments from the ladies that work there. One of them said to me, "Aww! I love it when girls wear dresses like that! I was feeling sad that no one wears things like this anymore, when in you walked!" I was beaming. 

I had to agree with them. It is so hard to find clothes that are becoming, stylish, and well made. Well that's why I started sewing in the first place, I suppose. I couldn't stand the loose flowing t-shirty things that are in style now, or at least the things you can find at big stores. But even dresses that are cute from small indie places don't fit my critique. They are made too cheaply. I suppose I love yards of fabric in my skirts and so it is not the most economical, but is it really too hard to make things with decent cotton? Not that stuff that is so flimsy and see through that nearly everything is made out of now. I rather have say, five well made dresses that I love, than a closet full of things I wear some of the time but don't really like.That is why I sew. And that is why I want to sew dresses for other women and girls. It is just a creative way for me to express myself, and I don't see myself stopping for anything less.

 What I want in a dress

Femininity

Comfort

Modesty

Twirly

Girly

Sturdy

Well Structured

Well Fitted

1950's Inspired

Quilting Quality Cotton

Time and Love poured into sewing it 

On a side note, my hair actually seams long-ish in these pictures. Yay! I've been trying to grow it out for some time now, and I can finally say it is long enough not to call it short anymore. Albeit, it's not long yet either, but it is getting there. My hope is for it to be near or at waist by Christmas. We'll see.

Route 66 Dress -- Part One

Yes, I am in the midst of making a graduation present for my dear friend, Katie of Beautifully Pure. She loves the whole idea of route 66 and old cool cars. So when I found this fabric I knew what she'd be getting as her graduation present from me.

Stay tuned to see pictures of the finished dress in part two!

Road to Romance Dress

The Royal Road to Romance is a book by Richard Halliburton, a young man in the 1920's who gave up a career in order to travel the world. He wanted to climb treacherous mountains, swim oceans, and see distant lands. This dress, therefore, in the spirit of his amazing travel book, is dubbed the Road to Romance Dress. Who knows on what journeys this dress could take you? Anywhere from America, to Europe, to Asia, or on a ship sailing round the world. A train speeding across the country, or a automobile driving fast on the highway.

This dress I made in November and December as a Christmas gift for my sister, who so beautifully poses for these photos. As soon as I saw the fabric at Hobby Lobby, I snatched it up with great plans for it. Now, months later, we finally took some proper pictures of the dress.

Adieu,
Molly

Polka Dot 40's Frock

I did wear my new dress Sunday morning. I am pleased with the over all silhouette of the dress. It looks rather 1940's to me. 

My sister helped pick out the fabric. I was going for a simple print so I could experiment with the pin tucks and puffed sleeves without it being overkill. The zipper went in all right, however I still need to improve in that aspect of my sewing skills. 

 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 
 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

 Picture credit: Anna 

I drafted the skirt pattern and used the sleeves from a 1970's vintage pattern I got at a thrift store for 99 cents. The bodice is from Simplicity 2444 with a few minor changes made in the fitting. The best thing about this dress is that it has got side pockets! Now there is a place to stick my things when I'm out and about and don't wish to carry a purse -- or in my case, when my purse is just too annoying to get in and out of all the time even if I am carrying it.

Till next time,
Molly

The Sister Frocks

Amid sewing, working, and cleaning, I haven't been out to take photos of my new dresses yet. Until today, that is. 

My sister and I spent a couple hours in our bedroom putting on these dresses, applying makeup, and posing in front of our long mirror that hangs on our closet door.

 Then it was off to the park in the freezing cold to take some vintage inspired photos showcasing my two new dresses I sewed.

Until next time,
Molly