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Thursday, December 13, 2012

ModCloth Look, DIY Price: Stylish Holiday Dress Making



I'm happy to share a new dress I just finished for the holidays.  Big confession though: I didn't make it because I was feeling super crafty, or wanted to get all handmade this year. It's because I'm a total cheapskate.  I love fabulous, vintage style dresses on sites like ModCloth, but the prices are just crazy.  No way am I going to pay around $100 for a whimsical Christmas dress, no matter how much I want it!  My solution: Make my own on the cheap.


I snagged the ideal pattern, Simplicity 4070 (at a mere 99 cents on sale), a few yards of the adorable O Tinsel Tree Snowy Houses fabric (by Pink Light Design for Robert Kaufman) and a zipper, all for under $30.  I used some leftover muslin for the lining.
I chose view A of the pattern, but used quilting cotton instead of the recommended silk/satins. And since I was using a directional print, it took a bit of careful layout planning to cut the bodice pieces so the houses would line up in the right rows, but I think it worked out just right.
I also ignored most of the assembly directions.  They recommended stitching the lining to the bodice and skirt pieces before sewing them together so you'd end up with all the raw edges right in the middle of the dress.  I like my lining to be the real deal - without raw edges anywhere.  So I left the shoulder seams to do last and sewed up the dress and the linings separately.  Then I connected them at the neck and armholes and at the shoulder seams with this technique (the video explains it all really well).  I also made the belt separate from the dress so it's removable.  I love the extra detail it adds:
And the pleats of the skirt portion give it such a nice shape in front and back:
This was one of those rare instances when the dress I envisioned really came to life in both style and fit.  I am really looking forward to wearing it for Christmas and will definitely be using this pattern to make more cute dresses on the cheap.  Take that Mod Cloth prices!

I'm also sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES.
Click HERE to check them out!
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57 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 13, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    It's perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BeccaDecember 13, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    This dress is adorable! You can help but be in a cheery mood while wearing something like that. I've done the same thing after spotting items on ModCloth. Take that ModCloth prices is right! :)

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    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 13, 2012 at 10:22 AM

      That's exactly how I feel Becca! Now I'm feeling a bit more confident, I'm planning to do more of this kind of thing, so look for more ideas for we thrifty girls in the new year;)

      Delete
  3. Missy ShayDecember 13, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    I love it! The fabric is great too! I think this is a pattern I was looking at, is the dress black on the pattern?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 13, 2012 at 10:16 AM

      It's this one Missy: http://www.simplicity.com/p-2091-missmiss-petite-special-occasion-dresses.aspx
      Except use a coupon or wait for a sale so you don't have to pay $10 for it!

      Delete
  4. BeccaDecember 13, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    How absolutely adorable! Nice job! I really like ModCloth dresses and you imitated theirs well. :)

    ahumblebumble.blogspot.com

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  5. the cape on the cornerDecember 13, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    that' like the perfect holiday housewife look, lol. super cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 1:24 PM

      LOL. I'm definitely not the perfect housewife, but at least now I can fake it look wise;)

      Delete
  6. CharityDecember 13, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    It's so cute! I probably would never have put that pattern and that fabric together, but you really pulled it off. I'm with you on the finished edges... if I'm going to line something, it needs to be completely finished inside. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 2:10 PM

      Thanks Charity and I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that!

      Delete
  7. Yona WilliamsDecember 13, 2012 at 6:51 PM

    This dress is too cute for words. Love the bow.

    I'm stopping by from Katherine's Corner blog hop.

    Happy Favorite Things Thursday!

    http://artpark78.com/blog1/i-made-my-2012-holiday-wreath/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 4:53 PM

      Aw thanks - I agree on the bow - it's funny how something so simple adds so much.

      Delete
  8. DoniDecember 13, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    That's just so cute! You're all ready for the holidays now! I can see your crafty attention to the details...perfect! Thank you so much for joining us for Pearls and Lace Thursday!
    Blessings,
    Doni

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 5:40 PM

      Thank you so much Doni. It's a real first for me to be ready this early, so I'm pretty proud!

      Delete
  9. Katherines CornerDecember 14, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    this is so retro chic, I love the bow , love it, truly! Thank you for sharing your lovely post at the hop xo

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    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 5:41 PM

      I'm glad you like it Katherine - I love retro too as you can see;)

      Delete
  10. UnknownDecember 14, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    Adorable! I think I might just have to go make myself one now. I'm super into modcloth's dress with the winter scene at the bottom; maybe I can find some fabric online to make it.
    P.S. I'm coming by way of 504 Main's link party, and am totally pinning this post.
    Grace @ Craftadon.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 14, 2012 at 1:13 PM

      That's one of the dresses that inspired me Grace! It looked so cute, but when I saw it on someone it kind of had a converted tablecloth look I knew I couldn't pull off in real life. I'm definitely going to do a dress with a back like that one though - the circle opening with the tie is gorgeous. Keep an eye out for it in a post in 2013!

      Delete
  11. Crystelle BoutiqueDecember 14, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    That is just the most adorable dress, and the cutest fabric. Not to mention: that model: lovely!

    hugs x
    Crystelle

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tea Cottage PrettiesDecember 15, 2012 at 3:37 AM

    I love your beautiful dress!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Pam @Threading My WayDecember 15, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    A very flattering, feminine style of dress, Cheryl!!! My mother used to wear dresses in this style, but with a plain belt, in the 50s and 60s. If you had shown me the pattern and the fabric before sewing, I would have said, 'No way.' But it totally works!!! A fabulous dress!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam @Threading My WayDecember 15, 2012 at 8:21 AM

      I featured your holiday dress today, Cheryl...
      http://threadingmyway.blogspot.com/2012/12/threading-your-way-features_16.html

      Delete
    2. Sew Can DoDecember 16, 2012 at 2:59 PM

      I love those retro looks. I figured it would be fab or a total flop, so I was prepared to wear my same-old boring Christmas stuff if I had to. I'm so glad I took a chance and it's great to here so much approval on it:)

      Delete
  14. FlyAwayHomeDecember 15, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    What a perfect holiday dress. It is absolutley adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  15. KlaudiaDecember 15, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Ohh, it`s so great...so very wonderful dress!

    Liebe Grüße Klaudia

    ReplyDelete
  16. FerrellGraph-xDecember 15, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Well aren't you sassy! Love it! Fun!
    Kindest regards,
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 16, 2012 at 2:56 PM

      After years of "playing it safe" I've learned to embrace my inner sassiness! Glad others enjoy it too:)

      Delete
  17. Sarah AJDecember 15, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    That is ridiculously cute! So adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  18. MarielDecember 16, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Very cute! I'd love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Saturday - Tuesday) at 'Or so she says ...' We've also got an exciting giveaway going on now that includes a chance to win a BlendTec. Hope to see you there! www.oneshetwoshe.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. MandyDecember 16, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    I love this! I'm usually not a pattern kinda girl. But this IS the perfect vintage looking dress. Love the fabric!
    Just stropping over from Threading My Way.

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousDecember 17, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Where can I find the pattern for this pretty dress? I like it very much

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 17, 2012 at 1:15 PM

      The pattern is Simplicity 4070. You can get it on their site or in most fabric stores.

      Delete
  21. LizDecember 17, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    I really LOVE this dress! Great pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bonny @ thedomesticatedprincess.comDecember 18, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    You did an awesome job! It's adorable and looks so crisp and polished, as nice as anything from a store if not better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoDecember 19, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      Aw, Bonny that's the ultimate compliment thank you!!

      Delete
  23. Maria-Isabel @ Agape Love DesignsDecember 19, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    wow I LOVE it. Ive been eying many of the cute dresses on modcloth too! Wish I could afford them, or new how to sew my own like you! LOVE this!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. SuzanneDecember 19, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    This dress is adorable! I would love to be able to sew like that.

    Bisous
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownDecember 19, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Very cute! I love that fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Rose :: Fine CraftDecember 19, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    Well, stop calling yourself a cheapskate: this is a million dollar dress! Thank you for linking it up at http://www.finecraftguild.com .

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownDecember 20, 2012 at 12:00 AM

    wow this is incredible! The perfect christmas dress!

    ReplyDelete
  28. JillDecember 20, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    What a beautiful dress Cheryl! It looks fabulous on you! :)
    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Susie @BowdabraDecember 20, 2012 at 11:38 PM

    We love your creative idea and appreciate you taking the time to share it with us in the Crafty Showcase. Stop back in to see who gets featured on Friday.

    Merry Christmas,
    Susie, Sandy, Sarah & the Bowdabra Designers
    http://www.bowdabrablog.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. AngieOuellette-TowerDecember 21, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing at Wednesday’s Adorned From Above Blog Hop!
    Debi @ adornedfromabove.com
    Angie @ godsgrowinggarden.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. CarolynDecember 21, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    Just to let you know I featured your wonderful project today. Stop by and grab a featured button.
    Happy Holidays! http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-inspiration-board-link-party_21.html

    ReplyDelete
  32. Retro-CoutureDecember 27, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    wow what a beautifull dress you made!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. JamieDecember 27, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    Just found your blog searching this pattern. Your dress is FABULOUS! Love it! So happy to find your blog :)

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  34. Schulz FamilyJanuary 2, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    Visiting from creative itch. This is so amazing. I love the dress. Cheers Karen www.madewithmytwohands.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJanuary 3, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Words cannot express how much I adore this!

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  36. All Things FeeJanuary 6, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Oh my word. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownMarch 20, 2013 at 11:23 PM

    I love it! I want to make dresses now!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Sew Can DoJuly 31, 2013 at 6:42 PM

    What a great surprise Amy. It makes me feel so famous!

    ReplyDelete
  39. BeccaAugust 30, 2013 at 6:04 PM

    Hey Cheryl! Just wanted to let you know you gave me the inspiration, and with my mom's help, I created my own Modcloth inspired dress: http://ahumblebumble.blogspot.com/2013/08/diy-modcloth-inspired-dress.html Thanks. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoAugust 31, 2013 at 10:36 AM

      That is wonderful to hear Becca! I'll be checking it out!!

      Delete
  40. lorrwillJune 25, 2016 at 2:44 PM

    Brilliant. I am blown away that you took an evening dress pattern and not only made a day dress from it, but a gorgeous one at that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sew Can DoJuly 20, 2016 at 5:15 PM

      Aw thanks! You've reminded me I need to make more like this:)

      Delete

Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)