For only $2, someone was getting rid of this Rubbermaid bin (which is worth $2 even without the contents!) stuffed with lovely fabric. The woman who was getting rid of the box obviously had similar taste to mine, as she had many yellow and blue fabrics. There were spools of thread, elastic, and other odds and ends, as well as an old apron and a vintage Better Homes & Gardens sewing book that has many old tips and ideas, similar to the popular old Better Homes & Gardens red & white cookbook from the 1950's. It was a great blessing! 
I finished several sewing/monogramming projects recently. I monogrammed an apron as part of a gift for a friend's upcoming engagement party, monogrammed cloth napkins for Stephen and my future home, and completed a new summer skirt. I will post pictures of the skirt soon.An upcoming sewing project is my "going away dress" to wear after the wedding reception (when Stephen and I are leaving as our guests throw rice). I found the following picture in a bridal magazine and love the classy, traditional look of the dress, but would never consider paying the almost $600 to purchase it.
I would like to find a pattern for an extremely similar dress, so I can make a much less expensive version. When I was looking for a pattern for the sundress I made last summer, I mentioned it here and received several ideas and ended up using one of the patterns suggested. So, I am writing all of this and posting the picture in case anyone may be familiar with a pattern for a dress similar to this one. I had to take a picture of the magazine page, so it is kind of blurry and low quality, but I hope the detail is fairly distinguishable. I would greatly appreciate any pattern ideas or advice you may have!
17 comments:
What a great find! There are many sewing projects I want to accomplish this year. I love your "going away dress" idea! The dress is so lovely!! Can't wait to see the finished result and good luck with sewing it!
No helpful suggestions on a pattern, but I did think of this- I have this dress from Land's End (http://www.landsend.com/pp/OriginalBeltedShirtDress~201099_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BLA&CM_MERCH=IDX_00002__0000000130&origin=index) and the shape looks similar to the one in the photo. It might be helpful for trying to find a pattern, or as other inspiration.
I love the blue and yellow fabric! I just love those colors together...along with anything blue and white. :)
Thanks for the sweet note...will write back soon. Have a lovely weekend.
it looks like it might be a spaghetti-strap dress with a bolero-type jacket on top that knots at the front...
For my going away dress I made a spaghetti-strap dress and made a bolero for it... the bolero looked different from the one in the picture here, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find one like that... I'll look around and let you know :)
I found some patterns you might like - here's the bolero-type jacket I was thinking of: http://www.simplicity.com/p-2353-misses-jackets.aspx (the red one with the collar and 3/4 length sleeves is like the one in your picture), and here's a dress you could do - although there are many such dresses around: http://www.simplicity.com/p-2556-misses-dresses.aspx If you want it to be longer, you could extend it... or find a longer pattern :)
hope this helps!!
Many of the dress patterns on this site are similar, the prices are reasonable and they have pages and pages of them to look through.
http://www.rustyzipper.com/womens/patterns/dresses
I'm sure you could find something there.
Well, I dreamt that I found the perfect pattern for you....but that doesn't help much! :) I love the material your Mom bought for you! :) -Rachel
I have been reading through your blog and am so impressed with you. My daughter does not read yet, but she loves looking at your pictures you post.
You said in this post, about your guest throwing ride. When we were planing Sarah's wedding I think all the Church's said we could not throw rice.:( We ended up throwing bird seed. From weddings I have been too and from Sarah's wedding, I have heard that the bride and groom get rice/bird seed all over them! One of the weddings I was at, the Bride got it all down her dress and they both got it in their ears!! They also said it kinda hurt. ;)
I have heard people/seen people throw rose petals,blow bubbles, have your guest ring little hand bells, or wave sparklers if it's dark. Anyway, just some ideas. :)
Hey I found that same sewing book at a thrift store last year for a dollar!! :)
It looks to me like the pattern is a shirt dress and the tie is sewn in the side seem to tie in front? I don't see a bolero here, it looks like one dress to me.
I think a simple shirt dress with the ties sewn in the side would give you the look you are going for.
What great garage sale finds!
I LOVE the dress! I wish I had some patterns to offer!! And I cannot wait to see your recent finished sewing projects! :)
Much love Meredith!!! :)
~Elizabeth
Thank you all sooo much! Your ideas are very helpful.
I was the wedding hostess at a medium sized church in our town and we didn't allow rice but we encouraged bird seed or bubbles. The rice was hard for the rector to sweep while the sea gulls and pigeons feasted on the seed.
Good luck finding your pattern. I am sure your dress will be lovely!
When I saw this, I thought of a dress from the 50s that I have of my great grandmothers, so I looked for vintage patterns.
This one is very similar. It looks like the one you pictured maybe buttens or fastens down the front, while this pattern is a type of wrap around, I think. The collar is a little bit different, and you would need to lengthen it. And it's on sale right now!
http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v2401-products-249.php?page_id=850
That is all I saw for now, but I'm sure there are more out there. I'll keep an eye out.
It's definitely tailored like a shirt dress, so I think the vintage Vogue pattern posted by Anna above is probably the closest option, but here are some others:
Look at the actual photo for a more modern take: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v2401-products-249.php?page_id=850
The 3/4 sleeve option would be nice: http://www.simplicity.com/p-2042-misses-dresses.aspx -Also, I find Simplicity patterns are easier than Vogue/Butterick/McCalls
Not exactly the same, but I LOVE this dress: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8353-products-5823.php?page_id=857
Separates pattern, but with a similar look. I think the 3/4 length sleeve with the longer skirt would have the same feel as the above dress, and look REALLY classic, especially with a pretty brooch or clasp closure: http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v7963-products-624.php?page_id=861
Anna and Melissa, thanks so much! I am thinking I will likely go with one of the patterns you suggested. They are very similar to the original dress. Thanks for taking the time to search for me!
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