What I Made: A Vintage Inspired Dress

Just before Memorial Day weekend,  I whipped up a bathing suit using the top pattern to the Madalynne X Simplicity 8437 and the bottom pattern to the Noelle. Unfortunately, it ended up raining and we didn’t get to go to the beach as Ryan and I planned. This weekend, we made plans to go to Brigantine. Again, I whipped up something to make, and again, it rained out. Ugh!  When we finally go to the beach however, I’m going to have one killer bathing suit and dress to wear.

This all started 2 weeks ago on Memorial Day weekend. Rained out, Ryan and I were looking for something to do. Enter thrift shopping. Philly has some great thrift stores, so we hopped in the car and started driving around. We stopped into Two Percent to Glory and I immediately spotted a bright, checkered apron dress. I tried it on – swoon! The price tag was WAY too high for my budget, but the owner, Sarah, was super sweet and let me take the dress and rub off the pattern (side note – I won’t be offering this as a PDF pattern). I purchased the fabric and trims at a local Jo-Ann’s and whipped it up in a few days. Even though it is sheer, I chose a seersucker fabric because the dress is a lot of fabric. The bottom ruffle is 100+ inches wide! So I didn’t want a heavy fabric that would weigh it down. Plus, I plan to wear pants underneath, so I won’t be giving anyone a peep show.

I didn’t get to wear it to the beach, but I did get to wear it a street festival on Saturday. I wore it with a pair of black leggings and the ready made Barrett bralette in white. Very comfortable and I received a ton of comments on it.

I recently moved my home sewing and office space, and I’ve been doing a ton more personal sewing. So I hope this is the first of many things I make to build up a me-made summer wardrobe.

Click here to shop the Barrett bralette