It’s only fitting that I am a secretary and I’m naughty and I made this stellar little dress for myself. It is. This is Simplicity 2724. It caught my eye because I had this little English girl’s suggestion running through my head. We’ve talked about the quilty-ness of quilty fabrics and I had 4 yards of Heather Bailey Nicey Jane to use. By the way, I still have 3 yards and a little bit. Ms. Zoe is quite right, quite right. I’m thrilled with the break up of a colorful cotton print paired with this subtle herringbone. Not only that, but the only thing I bought for this project was the zipper as I was completely determined to use only items from my stash. I was so happy about that. I’m in serious need of destashing.
So do you realize that this is a dress? Yeah. It. Is. I think that was the greatest part about the pattern. I needed an easy breezy albeit sexy outfit for working in. And you know, I always have problems with my blouse staying tucked into a skirt. This pattern fixes that problem. Oh and did you notice that you didn’t notice the zipper? It’s on the side and I did a lapped handpicked zipper again which I will be doing a tutorial on very soon.
This is the pattern for the mocked up muslin I showed you yesterday and along with the shoulder adjustment I had to nip and tuck the skirt portion. It fits like a glove. A glove I’m telling you. I also added a lining to the skirt because I almost feel naked without one. It just makes everything so much nicer and professional. One more liberty I took was to eliminate the facing in the sleeve. I think you have to be careful with “facing” everything. It’s a hard call to know what should be faced and what shouldn’t and I felt the sleeve would do better trimmed in self bias tape. I’m giving this pattern high marks because it has great design options and is easy to wear and it looks great!
I know what you’re thinking too. You’re thinking “why did she make this when she has her Perfect Spring Dress to finish?” I’m telling you, I don’t know. But I promise that I will be good and stay focused this weekend.
Cheerio,
Sunni
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- Red Vixen Dress
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful! I’ve had this pattern in the back of my mind (and stash) for a little while now, I’m definitely going to do the faux shirt/skirt thing
Wow, that’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that before. I love the fabrics you’ve used and can’t wait for the zipper tutorial.
Very very lovely! I love the print of the faux blouse! I just have to ask though, are you wearing red or orange pumps? I never would have thought to combine them with this outfit but from what I can see, it works beautifully! Love, love, love it! Great job, now get to work on your perfect spring dress!!
Cute cute cute! Like many others, I’m sure, I have this pattern in my stash. Thanks for the inspiration to pull it out!
Oh Sunni! That is such a great look! The spring punchy floral looks so pretty with the brown skirt! I never would have guessed it was a dress!
I can’t wait to see your tutorial! I have only been sewing since January, and I have learned so much from blog tutorials.
Have a fantastic day! Can’t wait to see your spring dress! It will look beautiful!
I’m so glad you asked! I’m wearing orange pumps. I have this thing with colored shoes and I just think hey, they should go with everything! And so I wear them with everything and think they’ll probably match up in some way. Thank you! And my Perfect Spring Dress is next up!
Genius and Amazing are words which spring immediately to mind.
Oh I love it! I didn’t see the “oh this is not two-piece” at all! This really solves the-shirt-out-of-the-skirt problem. And it does fit like a glove, I’m utterly impressed… I have the same problem as you (broad and short back), and that just kills my spirit sometimes. So thanks for the tutorial (and the reminder of why it is so smart, not to say necessary, to start with a muslin…)
Love it!
This is my new favorite blog. I’m a college student just starting to sew my own clothes. This is great!
I just found your blog recently and have been loving all your photos. This dress is wonderful! Now I’m pondering what fabrics I have in my stash that I could combine for this pattern….
That is gorgeous. I love the mix up of fabrics. I would love it if you could do a lapped zipper tutorial – I really admired the one you did for your red vixen-y dress, and would love to see how one is put together.
Just found your blog, can’t believe I haven’t come across it before! I love this dress and your photos/poses are great!
Yeah so now I wanna make this too… would make for some chic office wear.
Oh yes! Please do. I can’t wait to see what other people come up with.
It’s coming soon! Zippers are my weakest sewing technique. But this lapped one has solved all my problems. I love it!
Miss Sunni,
Received your lovely Easter Egg kit today – no foolin’!
Thank you for the sweet gift – I can’t wait to make it this week and relive those happy-childhood-Easter-basket memories.
I love your dress! Love, love, love the vfabric choices and belt.
Happy Birthday Sunni-Sunday, and Happy Easter, too.
Hygs,
Lynne
etsy.com.ratherbesewing
I love this! Tucking my shirt into a skirt over and over to keep my look polished is one that that I think needs to go. I will definately have to give this pattern a go. Great colors. Not at all too printy with the brown. Beautiful!
Gorgeous dress! I absolutely love that it’s a DRESS and not a skirt + blouse combo. You’ll never have to tuck and re-tuck your blouse again!
I agree that you shouldn’t face everything.. especially in sheer fabric, or lightweight fabric. It will just weigh down your project, or show through.
Look forward to your zipper tutorial as well!
Hi,
I just discovered your blog and love it. Beautiful dress! I will be checking back for the zipper tutorial, since I’m lame at zippers.
Jen
http://ahappycircus.blogspot.com/
So glad it got to you in time and I’m so glad you like it.
Me too! This is the best zipper technique too! It will be up soon!
you = gorgeous! that dress fits you like a glove. so so awesome! but now I request shoe shots in your fo posts. I see a bit of your heels but I want to see more!
First I wish you a happy birthday with a few delays! My computer had some issues and I couldn’t come here for several days… Anyway, your dress is just amazing! You’re very very talented!!! It fits you like a glove and you look very pretty in it! I want one for myself!!!
You look stunning! I’m in love with this version of the pattern. I’m all the more enthousiastic because it happens to be the last pattern i bought. And now i’m really inspired!
I’m not familiar with simplicity and i’m tryig to figure out in which size i should cut the fabric. Our figures are quite alike : would you mind telling me which size you selected?
thanks!
Amélie (Lyon,France)
Cute and naughty all in one! I love it! How do you think the blouse part of the dress would work on a large bust (being that you have tried it on…)?