Monday, June 10, 2013

Umbrella Sundress


I've been eyeing up this fun beach umbrella fabric ever since Fabricland got it in. It's a quilting cotton, which I am usually hesitant to use, but this one is just so well suited to a summer dress. I was originally thinking about a romper perhaps, but this sweetheart sundress from Gertie's Book for Better Sewing will get so much use this Summer. 

The book only has the pattern pieces for the bodice, the skirt you draft yourself. It's just a drindl skirt, 2 rectangles sewn together and gathered.  I also shirred the back, a technique from the book and I absolutely love it. Shirring is sewing rows and rows and rows of elastic thread to the back bodice pieces. It's kind of tedious, but watching it shrink up under the steam of the iron is SEW FUN.  It gives the bodice such a snug fit. I'm totally addicted now. The straps and front accent are a red and white polka dot voile cotton fabric. I also added my favorite thing RICK RACK, to the hem, 2 rows of it of course. It's not just any Rick Rack it's a white and navy stripe, so adorable. 

One of the things I love about Gertie's book and patterns, is that somehow they just magically fit me, with no alterations. It makes sewing her dresses like 100% faster. I'm already working on 2 more versions! All three have different skirts. Remember the Marc Jacobs fabric I had in my stash? I'm going to make a tiki dress with it. And remember this disaster of a dress?! I'm making this bodice to go with the circle skirt! So get ready to see a lot of this bodice. 

The pictures were taken on the bay side of the Jersey Shore, (hence some of the rubble on the beach) This part of the island seemed beautiful and untouched, while only a short walk away houses are knocked off their foundation or burnt to the ground. It is still very sad to see, not the usually busy weekend with everyone outside, on the beach or riding bikes. 

My Mom and I took a ride down this past Saturday to see what we may have left in the shore house, and managed to take these pretty pictures. My family's house unfortunately has to come down so hopefully I will be wearing this dress next year at the restored shore! I am picturing myself lounging on the deck with  a drink...ahhhh. 










22 comments:

  1. I agree the fabric is perfect for this dress. I found similar fit ease with Gertie's book. I used the sundress bodice piece and hardly had to fit it. The shirtwaist pattern, on the other hand, I couldn't get to fit me before I completely mangled the shoulder/sleeve area.

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    1. Yes I loved your sweetheart sundress! the shoulders on the shirtdress were a bit deep on me... if that makes sense, so next time I will shorten them.

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  2. Quilting cottons can make lovely fitted sundresses, and I'm so glad you went for it! That print is perfect. How lucky that the fit is so good for you, sewing is sure quick and fun when you don't have to puzzle over alterations!

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    1. Yes! it's so fun, I'm already half way thru my second version!

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  3. Back shirring is the BEST. This came out so cute!

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    1. Thank you!! I'm so obsessed with shirring now

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  4. I love this retro style umbrella fabric! And the stripes fabric matches it perfectly. Looks so cute on you, lovely summer dress!

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  5. Oh gosh, that's cute! You are really working your way through this book! Are you planning to make every pattern? If so, how cool!

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    1. I'm not doing it intentionally! It just seems to work out that way.

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  6. This is just a gorgeous dress! And the backdrop of the sea in the pictures sets it off perfectly...J

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  7. What a perfect beachy dress. Love the rick rack on the hem!

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    1. Thank you... I want to add rick rack to everything

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  8. Hi Erika, would you mind sharing where you found this umbrella print fabric?

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  9. aw your dress is adorable. i'm so sorry to hear about your house. lots of fun memories there. hope you can rebuild it bigger and better for next year!

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  10. This dress is fabulous! You are very talented. And the pattern is perfection.

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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  11. I love your dress! Perfect for summer and the umbrella print is adorable. I've been meaning to pick up Gertie's book and now I think I'll go ahead and order it so I can make one for myself!

    -Melissa

    http://scavengerhunttheblog.blogspot.com

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