Wednesday, June 26, 2013

fresh off the clothesline...

Is this TOO Betty Draper, Frauline Maria or Ellie Mae? Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I'm not sure if I care that it does channel some old fashioned goodness.

I am having a summer romance with vintage sheets and dresses. And it's going to continue.

because I've never felt more feminine or flirty

and that's a good thing.

When the working world around me does "business casual" in tank tops and capris, I'm wearing dresses.


I love making a dress for the cost of a pattern and an old flat sheet. This one cost $2.  And by the way, why haven't I thought of old sheets for making muslins?

This is a pure experiment. I used the bodice of a Simplicity Cynthia Rowley dress  and then added a gathered skirt with inseam pockets.

Does anyone else find CR patterns run small? I had to cut an 18 with a full bust adjustment. AND I had to add a generous 1 1/2" to the length of the bodice.


I've gotten lots of feedback on this dress. Many of those same ladies have asked me to make one for them.


Then I tell them it would be $80 and they look at me like I have three heads.  Yet they will gladly pay me $20 to hem a dress for them.  I've gotten lots of positive feedback from the facebook sewing group about pricing and they all agree that $80 is a steal. Do you sew for profit?

So I guess they'll continue to buy their fast fashion dresses that ten thousand other people are wearing.

And I get to be the only one with this cutie. And I will be happy wearing it.

27 comments:

  1. Wow, so cute. I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

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  2. That dress is so pretty, I love it! I like how you paired it with the denim jacket - very cute. I've been asked to sew for others but I keep saying no - mostly because I know that they cannot compensate for my time and labor. They seem to think it's going to be "cheaper" than shopping at a discount clothing store.

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  3. I love the dress! I get the old "will you make me one", but I also get a lot of "you should sell these at the farmer's market or on etsy!" Then I have to explain that between my full time job, mortgage to pay, materials to buy, master's degree to pay off, etc. That I couldn't afford to pay myself minimum wage and would die homeless and alone. They always seem so taken aback!

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  4. I love your dress! How vintagey cute! I use old sheets for muslins all the time.

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  5. Your pretty dress is a great sew, and brilliant idea using the floral sheets. Non-sewers continue to under-estimate the time, and skill, involved in making a made-to-measure garment just for them! I avoid as much as possible, hate doing it, and never make a profit on the deal.. sometimes even getting paid for the thread, zip, etc. is difficult. In fact, with one friend, I never wear something I have made when seeing her - just in case :)

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  6. Super cute dress, Lynne, you look amazing (as always). I am not sure I would sew for hire. I never seem to have enough time for my sewing. I do think $80 was fair and maybe even too low.

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  7. It is rather fun - I will have to try making one myself - no-one wears pretty things anymore - the world has become corporatised.

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  8. It's soooo pretty! I'm trying to build up confidence in my own sewing, before I tackle a fitted bodice, but it's really inspirational for me, and giving me something to aim for, to see you and other sewing bloggers with such pretty dresses.

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  9. Oh yes! Feminine indeed. I like it best with the blue cardigan.

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  10. Yes, I too am having a summer romance with dresses. My husband looked at me the other day and said "Are you channeling Donna Reed?". I laughed because I was wearing V 8876 with a belt. It totally changed it from an artsy dress to a 50s look. Your dress in the soft florals is pretty, light, summery and frugal!

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  11. You look absolutely gorgeous! Love that dress on you.

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  12. Beautiful dress! I like it with both the cardi and the denim jacket. You style it so well. My daughter and I both wear dresses more these days, she even more than me, but I'm working on it. We don't want this crazy world we live in to rob us of our femininity!

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  13. Stunning! You have a knack for styling yourself. I can't wait to see your next sheet dress. g

    ps - I think your pricing is right on the money. $20 for a hem and $80 for a new dress. I might pay you for that.

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  14. Completely put together. Where's the glass of lemonade? You look adorable. Great job.

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  15. Very pretty. I like the fabric...oops - sheet ;D m.

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  16. Great summer dress and great styling! $80 is a bargain for a custom fitted dress - have you seen the prices on etsy?

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  17. That is such a great dress, especially with the blue cardi. It looks fabulous on you!

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  18. Pretty dress and it screams summer fun and love it topped with the denim jacket.

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  19. LOVE the dress! It looks great with the jean jacket :-)

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  20. I love this on you! Especially with the pale blue cardigan. I've been out of town, but just got back and have the jacket pattern from you, along with the cosmetic bag! Thank you so much. As soon as payday hits, I will be on the lookout for the right fabric so I can get started.

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  21. I love this dress. So pretty. I am going on a hunt for vintage sheets:)

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  22. You look beautiful in that dress. Love the cardigan with it!

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