A Dress.

I decided to be frugal and use a pattern I already had to make one of the dresses on my "summer list". I used the peony pattern (my Easter dress) again but did it in a very vintage looking cotton and added pockets and nixed the cumber bun and bought a red belt instead (I had to return it for a smaller belt later). I wanted to create a dress I could wear during the week in my regular life, so it needed to be cool for summer and washable.

Love the vintage inspired cherry fabric. Good one JoAnn's

I happily sewed along very quickly as I had just made this up for Easter and then I tried it on... Oh. My. Word. It was awful! The neckline was so huge I looked like I was in Queen Elizabeth's (the first) Court, or that my head had been shrunk by an evil voodoo doctor. I cried. Then I cut a new neckline and finished it with bias tape, AND... Had a huge bubble in my back. The dress would have fit Quasimodo perfect. I cried again. Then I did some last minute "hail mary" stuff with the shoulders put it away and tried it on in the morning AND... It fit!!! Not only did it fit but it totally had a 1940's silhouette that I adore. I have no idea why the dress worked for Easter and not for Mother's Day. Maybe it had something to do with the different fabrics but I probably won't be making up this pattern again. Love the two I ended up with though.

The second time I wore the dress I threw on an apron to get ready for lunch without thinking much about it. When I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror I thought "Wow I look like I stepped out of a Time Life photo." The pose on the right is my "Homemakers for Victory" pose.

Summer Sewing Challenge!

Hoorah I finally sat down and made my official color palette for my spring/summer sewing. I've already made three items for this season so I had an idea in my head of where I was going, but I want to share it with you all.

My colors for the season are: Cornflower (just got a new pair of flats in the color), Coral (my Easter dress), Periwinkle (which was the color of my bridesmaid dresses about 10 years ago so I must love that color), Mint (I always love green: every season, every year), and Strawberry Red. Obviously this is a wide range but you know me I like my big colored prints for sewing so I think it will all work together beautifully.

A sneak peak of my Easter dress. Do you love
the vintage necklace and bracelet?

I've already made two tops and am planning one more (this one in blue with a peter pan collar). I have three more dresses planned (I already made and wore my Easter dress). One dress, casual in a very 1950's print for every day, to be worn with a wide red belt. A shirtwaist dress in a blue fabric (I'm sort of drafting/putting two patterns together for this one which is a big step for me) for the 4th of July. And if I have time, a silly 1940's inspired frock with dog pockets and some amusing embroidery. I'll also need a very basic skirt to match the tops and a couple pair of shorts to also match the tops.

I am very excited to get started on these projects and if I accomplish all of them I will have a very full closet and most of it will be hand made! I feel good about it since I've already started and because one of the dress patterns I've used before and is very simple. I also love having the palette because when I do shop for rtw clothes I have an idea of what will go and what I'll need so that every purchase fits with what I'm wearing. I end up with so many more options of things to mix and match!

What about you? Do you have any fun summer wardrobe shopping/sewing ahead of you? What are you looking forward to wearing as the weather gets warmer? This is going to be the summer of the dress for me, I can just feel it.