A Little White Dress

I posted a sneak peek of this dress--the waistband and cut-out--for a "work in progress" post last week, and clever Melissa thought she spied a white Bonnell dress. In fact, all the parts of the dress that were captured in the picture are from the Bonnell--but only those parts!

When I first saw Dixie DIY's Bonnell dress, I knew I had to have those adorable cut-outs. Unfortunately, my "wearable" muslin was much too large and I decided I didn't totally love the lines of the dress--the high jewel neckline felt awkward combined with the V in back. Vintage patterns almost always pair a V back with a wide bateau neckline, which means that the angle of the back V is wider. Overall, I didn't think it would be worth it to modify that pattern when I have other perfectly good bodices that I could just add side cut outs to using the Bonnell lines and instructions.



But did I do the sensible thing and go with a tried-and-true bodice? Of course not... instead of messing around with the Bonnell, I messed around with a random stash pattern I've had since high school--or rather, my mom has had since I was in high school, since I didn't really sew then! It was horrible, so horrible that I'm actually not quite sure what was wrong with the design. The bodice, sewn as written, was much too long, which could be attributable to Big-4 modesty, except that the bust darts went all the way over my bust?? Either the bust darts were terrible or the length was wrong, but I chopped two inches off the bottom to end up with a neckline that may or may not be lower than intended, and bust dart that are passable if not great. Then, the whole thing ended up being about one size too big anyway. I finished it, but I think I will rip out the zip and take in this dress by 1 to 1 1/2 inches. I should take it out at the sides too, but... cut outs.

This was totally a stash-busting project! I didn't buy anything, not even a zipper. I had just enough of some white sort-of mid-weight something for the bodice, then I used some of my never-ending supply of white eyelet for the skirt and underlined it with some random white stash fabric. I just used the width of the fabric and pleated it at the bodice darts and the edges of the cut outs.

My husband took these pictures in the Walker Art Center's sculpture garden during our whirlwind trip to Minneapolis last weekend. The Walker is one of my favorite museums, so we had to go visit it. Alex took these photos by this cool mirror/glass/two-way glass sort of labyrinth (I just looked it up and it's official name is "Two Way Mirror Punched Steel Hedge Labyrinth" so I wasn't too far off in my description! It's by Dan Graham). It's very neat to see "in motion" as people stroll by: it is difficult to tell which side of the sculpture they are on and then they pop out in unexpected places! The sculpture garden is also the home of Spoonbridge and Cherry, a Minneapolis icon. If you know one thing about Minneapolis, its probably the Mall of America, but Spoonbridge and Cherry is probably #2.

Do you like my earrings? They're little pineapples! I really stuck with the tropical theme I guess :) I really like them but I almost always wear studs, so I always feel very "dressed up" when I wear drop earrings, even simple ones. Does anyone have tips for styling dangly earrings? Help help!

I really like cut-outs, but I know they aren't for everyone--would y'all be interested in an "adding cut-outs" tutorial? Let me know!

dress bodice: wouldn't recommend it but it's Simplicity 4531 | earrings: juicy couture (sold out but they have another pineapple style here!) | shoes: jack rogers | bag: bosom buddy bags

xoxo,

allie

ps: people hate on juicy couture because of their tracksuits (think paris hilton ca. 2005) but i love them--their accessories especially are really cute (i mean just look at those pineapple earrings) and they often have 40% sales which makes everything really reasonable.