DIY Midi Dresses

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Hi there, Happy Friday 🌸🌸 Today's update is about two new dresses that I made to wear on special outings. The sleeveless orange midi dress was made in October and the long-sleeved dress was made at the beginning of this month.  Both patterns were self-drafted, and the dresses had ruffles at the bottom tier. And to complete the look, I added a removable bow and pinned it to the neckline.  For the sleeveless midi dress, I used a linen blend fabric a souvenir from my trip to Bangkok and the fabric was enjoyable to sew. As usual, the sewing process started with pinning and sewing the darts and then attached the facings to the front and back pieces right sides together. I pinned it around and then sewed it, but I left a few centimeters open to sew the shoulder lines. I love this method, the finished facing looks clean and neat. I closed the opening area with hand sewing. I gathered the bottom tiers and then sewed them to...

Simplicity New Look Top 6225 View B

Hello everyone,
I have been so quiet for a while because I was busy with some stuff that distracted me for updating the blog. But in between my busy hours I am still sewing, making two muslins for my BurdaStyle jacket, tracing a new pattern and preparing a Halloween costume for my boy.
And today, I wanted to show you my two new lace tops. One in strong blue and another one in strong pink. Both of the fabric are from stash that waiting for the right pattern to make.
 
This will be my first experiment of using Simplicity pattern. In my opinion, the instructions were easy to follow but the size is too big for me, I am petite. So, I have to make some adjustment.

I bought four sewing  magazines two months ago when I visited Portugal, one of them is in Spanish language called MODA de Pasarela. I checked the magazine when I arrived home and I noticed that the content of the magazine is all from Simplicity pattern. Well, I am very happy to have a chance to try Simplicity pattern.
My first choice went to Simplicity New Look Top 6225 view B, you can see the pattern detail here.


Project descriptions:
The top has scoop neck and raglan short sleeve. It looks cute to wear as everyday wear but still feel girly, especially if using lace fabric. I also think that the top will match well with A-line skirt or skinny jeans as the model in the pattern envelope wearing.

Materials:
Both of the fabric are lace in strong blue and strong pink color, bias tape in same color for the neckline and same color of threads.

Pattern and adjustments:
For the pattern, I used Simplicity New Look Top 6225 view B size 34. As the original pattern from the magazine come in minimum size 36/38, I have to draw a new line of size 34 by myself.
image source from simplicity.com
And some adjustments according to my preference:
  • I raised the neckline 2 cm
  • The bust dart is so low and almost reaching my waist, so I have to move it more to the upper area - 8 cm under my armpit
  • The sleeve is a little bit too big and too long, so I have to reduce the amount of the sleeve 4 cm and cut the length 3 cm. Finished with sleeve allowance 3 cm for the first top and 1.5 cm for the second top.
  • The top length is too long, so I have to cut it 7 cm. Finished with hem allowance 3 cm for the second top.
The sewing process were easy and fast. But I messed up with my first top, I cut the top length too short. I reduced it 11 cm instead of 7 cm. So, I have to cut the same fabric again and make a band for the hemline.
The neckline finished with a bias tape which is very easy and fast to sew and the result is nice.

The funny thing is, I made the two top exactly the same way and the same type of fabric. But the result weren't the same, the blue one has wider neckline than the pink one :)

Here are more pictures for you guys to see the top detail,
Full front and back views of me wearing the blue lace top


The closer look of the neckline, raglan short sleeve and the bust dart

The closer look of the hem line, which I messed up and in the end I added a band on it :)

Two more pictures of the top in the dress form, front and back views


And the last two pictures of the pink lace top, front and back views. I didn't wear it, so there is no picture of me wearing this top.

 
Happy sewing and have a great Friday to you all!

Comments

  1. Hi Hana, you did a great job on the alterations...especially adding in the job of grading down a size. I love the lace and bright color together.

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  2. Both are lovely tops! Very pretty. Great job grading it to fit you.

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  3. So pretty! I love both the tops, too!

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  4. Absolute.y love theses tops they are so pretty and feminine. The blue looks lovely on you.

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  5. I have found darts to be quite low on some patterns - New Look patterns have low darts, and they are part of the Simplicity group now. Still you did a great job of altering everything - it's not surprising you made a mistake with the hem, I do that too when I have too many things to remember about cutting the pattern in my head. Adding a hem band is a really good save, and quite unnoticeable. These are such pretty tops Hana, and suit you :)

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    1. It was a good experiment to try New Look pattern, even I have to deal with alteration.
      Thank you for a lovely comment :)

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  6. Hana, both are lovely. I've made a plum dress with a lace overlay and found it fun to do something different. Your choices are very interesting!

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    1. Thank you, Dorothy. I always think that lace fabric is symbol of feminine and girly. I'll pop over to see your new dress :)

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  7. I really love the added band on the blue lace top Hana! Not only a great save, but it's a lovely design feature! Your colour choices are beautiful! I sew Simplicity patterns quite a bit, but they are getting much harder to find locally.

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    1. Thank you, Sue. I was fear that the band will be bulky but I am lucky that the lace fabric behaved well.
      Here in my place is no way to find sewing magazines or patterns, the only chance to buy them when I am travelling :)

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  8. The lace really elevates these tops. I love the blue one with jeans -- looks like a million dollars!

    Well done!

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