A new dress design

November 11, 2014


I am excited to show you a new dress design I am working on. This is the first prototype and it only needs a few modifications to make it just as I want it. 



The dress features an open and piped 'eton' collar with small accent shirt buttons. An eton collar is a little like a peter pan collar but it sits up more where the collar and neckline meet. I made mine so that the collar fronts intentionally do not meet. Between the collar fronts, the bodice is drawn together with an elastic casing (at top) followed by rows of shirring. The skirt is gathered in the centre front and has accent rectangular piped pockets.  This version has extended sleeves.  There will also be long sleeves for those of you approaching winter!  Below you will see the back features another elastic casing to give some more shape to the dress. This will be one option for the back, and there will also be the option of a thin tie back.



Emily is fairly short so I intend the finished dress to sit just on the knee.




Have you noticed there are no closures? The elasticised neckline means you can pull the dress straight over the head.  Easy to wear and comfortable to play in! The bodice front and back are lined. 

These are the small modifications I have made so far to the pattern I am drafting.  I have raised the bodice line by 2cm as I want it to sit higher - this will elongate the pockets. On future dresses I will cut the elastic in the top bodice casing shorter so it draws the neckline in a bit more.  I have extended the line of the extended sleeve to make it a little more pronounced.


This fabric is thrifted - a vintage bed sheet! The ochre piping is made from store bought bias binding.



The lining is a Michael Miller spot I have had for a while (I don't remember the name). 



Do you like it? I am waiting on some cotton and steel fabric from Miss Matatabi to make up my next dress. Can't wait!!

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20 comments

  1. Little CumquatNovember 11, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    This dress is beautiful. Love the mix of contemporary style with a vintage trimming flair. Great choice of fabric as well. Can't wait for this pattern x

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  2. JoanNovember 11, 2014 at 9:58 PM

    This is really cute!

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  3. Jenya @ While she was sleepingNovember 11, 2014 at 10:01 PM

    I do like it Suz :) No closures means certain independent little monkeys can get dressed themselves! I also love the extended sleeves. Emily is gorgeous :) She looks so much like her oldest sister! Those eyes!!

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  4. Victoria As-it-SeamsNovember 11, 2014 at 10:21 PM

    Lovely - and haven't seen anything like it. Am a big fan of collars, and also no closures is great. Missy keeps asking to wear t-shirts now, and I think this is because she can put them on herself, so anything that I can kind of 'pretend is a t-shirt' is a good idea. And that leads me on to my suggestion, I'd like to see this as a blouse/tunic, ie add sleeves, drop the skirt. Am really aware that Missy doesn't need more dresses, but is becoming a leggings/jeans girl. This could look really cute with a pair of skinnies...

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    Replies
    1. SuzNovember 11, 2014 at 11:09 PM

      Thank you Victoria! And I like your Idea of omitting the front seam and having a tunic option!

      Delete
  5. InspinrationNovember 11, 2014 at 10:33 PM

    Oh I love it, I love it, I love al of it!! I am a big fan of no button or zippers, I love those pockets and the collar also looks amazing.

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  6. Mie BrindleNovember 11, 2014 at 10:36 PM

    I absolutely LOVE it! Can't wait to make it!!! Wonderful to see something new and different.

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  7. UnknownNovember 11, 2014 at 10:43 PM

    That is a very cute dress on a very cute wee girl.

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  8. FatimaNovember 11, 2014 at 10:49 PM

    You did it again Suz! What an original dress!! I see a classic dress that has absolutly nothing boring about it! I ADORE the rows of shirring in the front!
    Kiss
    Rita

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  9. Renee // nearest the pinNovember 11, 2014 at 11:00 PM

    You are the best vintage sheet finder I know Suz - LOVE this fabric! I also love the dress design, so nice to see something really different, but still retains all the Sewpony Vintage vibes we love :)

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    Replies
    1. SuzNovember 11, 2014 at 11:07 PM

      Thank you renee:) I am a regular op shop scout!

      Delete
  10. LeentjeNovember 11, 2014 at 11:03 PM

    I love, love , love it! It has such beautiful details! I'm curious to see the long-sleeved version as well.

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  11. AnnikaNovember 11, 2014 at 11:21 PM

    wow, suz: You're on fire. You're producing patterns like a champ ;)
    love the design.

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  12. AlbumineNovember 12, 2014 at 2:07 AM

    I love this dress and no closure system is a great idea, especially to dress two toddlers!

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  13. AnonymousNovember 12, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    Love it- the collar is adorable! Thank you for the long sleeves-- we are chilly here(Cleveland,Ohio in the US) many months of the year-- and sometimes it's nice not to have to find a matching shirt or cardigan to cover arms in a sleeveless dress!-- Sarah

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  14. Amy Seven-StitchesNovember 12, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    The dress looks fantastic. I love that little ones can just pull it on. I look forward to seeing the final product after all the tweaks.

    The lining is simply called Pindots. I have a habit of hoarding the white on red colourway as it goes brilliantly in almost any type of quilt.

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  15. ElsNovember 12, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Love it! Very cute!

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  16. MartaNovember 13, 2014 at 10:37 AM

    Lovely and unique design Suz! The collar is gorgeous and do is the fabric you picked for this dress!

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  17. KahloNovember 14, 2014 at 12:24 AM

    I absolutely adore this dress! Can't wait to make one myself!

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