I’m somewhat at a loss. I had planned what I wanted to say, but nothing went as planned, right down to these very pictures I’m sharing. And really I just want to have a little temper tantrum and kick my feet and scream. But, since I’m a big girl (but really mostly just because I don’t want to wake the baby) I fixed myself a cup of relaxing tea, put on some classical guitar music and took a great many deep breaths instead.
How my dress came about: Someone was giving away a couple of vintage floral sheets. I snapped them up telling the lady how I make dresses out of this sort of thing, while Steve simultaneously talked about all of the other fabric I already have in a pointed sort of way. I/we all have been having a really rough couple of months (years/life). On a whim I decided for sanity’s sake to do something completely frivolous to break up the funk. It was a two part plan: Find a way to go out alone for a few hours with my husband on his birthday and make a new dress to wear for said occation. I figured this huge swath of free fabric was my one chance to indulge my dramatic side in making a really, really full skirt. I can be wearing the dress, grab a fistful of fabric on each side, raise my hands up over my head, and still be completely covered. The skirt is that full. I completed the dress exactly two weeks after his birthday.
How her dress came about: She made several comments about wanting a dress made with the “beaufufull” flowers. I made several frazzled, distracted comments about wanting to pair that fabric with an old pattern I had, but not being sure when I would find the time. Elijah looked at the pattern, looked at the fabric, looked at his sister, and went and made her a dress.
For my dress I paired the Princess Bodice and the Box Pleat Circle Skirt patterns from Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book: A Modern Guide to Sewing Fabulous Vintage Styles, with an improvised, home-made crinoline for underneath. Seraphina’s dress is McCall’s 3809 from 1972 I think.
I think I owe it to myself to say that that dress was a whole lot of work. Obviously, it is rightfully going to be over-shadowed by toddler cuteness and brotherly love. It looks simple, but it. was. a. lot. of. work. And I thought I should at least do myself the honor of recognizing that.
And it was all really in vein because I can’t think where I would possibly wear it. If anyone is planning on hosting a fancy garden party, do give us a call.
I love those dresses, especially yours. Wear it to go on a walk with your husband, to the beach and to the grocery store. It’s too nice to hide away for special events. It looks like the fabric will forgive a few stains. If it’s comfortable, then wear it!
Your dress is lovely and suits you. I hope you find an excuse to wear it.
Your son completely amazes me. He is an awesome sewer at such a young age.
Both are amazing! I’ve pinned dresses made of sheets just like that on Pinterest and I’ve dropped over them in real life at craft sales but can’t bring myself to pay the prices they ask (although they are fair because it is a ton of work). I’ve made many pants and skirts from retro sheets but they were very simple and never as classy as your dress. Absolutely gorgeous. I hope you feel gorgeous when you put it on. And I second the above comment – wear it anywhere and everywhere. It deserves to be see.
Beautiful. I second the motion to wear it to the grocery store – don’t keep that wonderful dress in the closet!
One word regarding that dress of yours ~ gorgeous!!! And I can’t believe your son made your daughter’s dress!
Awesome. All of it! Your dress fits perfectly – so flattering
And So sweet of Elijah to sew for his little sister – she must have been over the moon. And of course Miss Seraphina is adorable as usual 
I’m at the point in my life where I make clothes that I like and wear them where I daRn well want to. I don’t give a hoot what other people think anymore. You and Violet Seraphina look wonderful in your dresses! Elijah is a wonderful, compassionate and talented young man!
Elijah is such a wonderful big brother! And wear that dress all the time. Everywhere. Beautiful is always in style