Creativity | Sewing

Asian-inspired cross-front button-front dress

October 20, 2009

line-drawing

A sewing forum I frequent is having a pattern contest this month, so I thought I would join in.  I only have to make it in one size, so that takes a lot of work out of it.  I made this dress a few times this spring, so it was something I already made before.  It works well as a jumper in the wintertime to put over a long-sleeved t-shirt and leggings.  I am still working on the actual pattern, so I will post it when it is completed.  I have until October 31st to get it completed.

For the sample dress I decided to use some Asian looking fabrics, since it is kind of a dress with Asian flare to it.  The fabric I’ve had for several years, with the exception of the geisha lady applique.  I bought it this spring at some point.  I really like it, but it just doesn’t look like it will work for clothing.  I will probably end up using the different geishas as appliques.  The ribbon around the middle is kind of hard to get the full effect.  It is chock full of beading and little “jewels”, so it gives the dress a bit of bling.

Click here for tutorial

geishadress

2009-10-18_4152

2009-10-18_4137

On a side note…do you see those cute brown fuzzy boots she is wearing in the first two pictures?  Do you know how HARD I had to work to get her to wear them???  Geez…she is an opinioned little princess.  I bet if they were pink she would wear them!

Oh, I also have another one that I’ve made out of it…PINK DUIPONI SILK!  Oh yes, holiday dress is almost done!  The fabric shop by me had their silk remnants on sale, so I got 2 yards of the yummy pink fabric for about $4-$5/yard.  I am going to make a nice white knit dress and leggings to go underneath with white fuzzy minkee at the collar, cuff and hem.  Total cuteness!

BUT first, the little man needs some pants.  I also have 3 friends that had babies recently, so I need to get some baby blankets done.  Stuff to do, stuff to do…

20 Comments

  1. Very cute dress, the boots are adorable. My 2nd born daughter was just like that and knew what she wanted (still does). It would take hours to get her dressed in the morning!

  2. Well, you know if we were voting you’d win in an instant. That dress is so adorable. I can’t believe that you even created the pattern.

    The girls are so funny. Something that you’d think was just adorable, like the boots, they don’t like. My V is like Anya. Most things have to be obviously pretty and pink. And sparkly. And shiny. Or have ruffles. Or be a dress.

  3. I don’t know…I find it hard to look at the dress when the model is so adorable! I blame you for my recent rush of sewing madness however. Today I was trying a mock up of the BA’s bridesmaidy dress thing and I had a whole drawer of patterns open and I was rummaging through them and I felt like I was in heaven. A whole drawer full of possibilities 😀
    So do you have to draft the pattern for the competition? I kneel before you. I was trying to figure out how to cut the full circle dress part for the BA’s dress and I have already stuffed up one old sheet!! 😀 Off to buy some calico tomorrow.
    Oh and ….pink silk dupion…mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

  4. Oh Stacy, I love the design on the fabric. And the boots are so perfect with the dress. ITs too bad you had to fight with her on it. The shot with her looking back at you and smiling is so sweet. She’s such a doll. Good luck in the contest!

  5. Yeah. I can’t wait to see the pattern. I would love to try it. The dress is so adorable and I absolutely love the fabric. I am glad she put on the boots even if it was temporary. They are super cute!! There is always something on the to do list.

  7. Cute, cute, cute! I’ll be pulling for you to win – you totally will if the judges have any sense. 🙂 those boots are totally adorable, too!

  8. So adorable! Coming from a gal who gets nervous about sewing a straight line…all I can do is admire both your imagination and creativity and, of course, your skill! Good luck with the contest and I can’t wait to see all the fun projects on the horizon!

  9. Thanks everyone! I was really happy with how the dress turned out and that she actually WORE IT. It wasn’t pink so I just couldn’t be sure. 😉

  10. Oh…that last photo is just gorgeous. I mean the girl is already gorgeous, and has a gorgeous dress on – but then that shot? Mmmm….it is delish!

    I can’t wait to see the holiday dress!

  11. I love it !!! And I love the boots. My Alia is the same way … she wants to wear what SHE wants to wear and nothing else !! Kids !! 🙂

  13. This is DARLING! And that last shot of her… you can just TELL that girl has a mind of her own (wonder where she gets that?)

    I love her expressions, even when she’s trying to hide a smile. And that girl looks good in everything. Even brown un-princessy boots 🙂

    I cannot wait to see the holiday dress!

    And man… if Mr. Daddy would only let us try for another one, and then I could spend my blog time begging and cajoling for a baby gift from a certain talented crafty friend 😉

    Have a great day – hope everyone is healthy again soon!

  15. The fabric is awesome. Good luck in the contest.
    I thought having boys I would never have to deal with an opinionated little person about what they wear…I was wrong. I fight everyday with Francesco over what pants, what jacket, what sneakers he is going to wear.

  20. Pingback: The Land of K.A. » Random sewing and stuff I got done

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