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4.17.2010

The Shasta Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple a-line, peasant dress and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.


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I never would have guessed that after the 80's fashion era was FINALLY over,
that I would someday adore a bubble dress! But here it is.
Perfectly simple and flirty!




Cut the sleeves out as directed. For the main dress, lay the pattern on the fold. The neckline and armholes will be cut as directed. The length needs to be extended three inches past the pattern line. Also, extend the hemline in length by 2 inches, like so:





For the lining, cut the neckline 3/4 inch shorter, 1 inch shorter in length and 1 inch narrower in the hemline. (Cutting the neckline shorter cuts down on the bulk of the neckline casing.)



Sew the side seams on the dress and lining. Now gather the main dress at the hemline to match the hemline of the lining. With right sides together, sew the hemlines together.



Turn the dress right side out, pin and baste the armholes together.

Sew the underarm seams of the sleeves, then with right sides together, sew to the dress. Finish as directed in the pattern.





I used a vintage, thrifted sheet for this dress. The whole thing cost about $.62, including elastic, pattern (divided by number of times I have used the pattern) and the sheet (divided by the number of yards total in the sheet).


How's that for thrifty?






40 comments:

Tong said...

So cute!!

Anonymous said...

That's incredible! I will be following very closely this month, can't wait for more beautiful dresses.

Jenny said...

i love that you used thrifted sheets! great idea.

Jessica said...

Oh! I love bubble skirts too! My daughter's Easter dress had one this year - and I I think it cost me a $1.99 cause I bought a zipper ;) It was my first "real" dress. Would love to make her one like this!

Freda said...

That is absolutely adorable!!

Angela C. said...

That's cute! Thanks for the great ideas.

accoupons at gmail dot com

Needled Mom said...

Love the bubble look to it.

Lissy said...

That is the sweetest dress :)

Lacey said...

So so cute! I love that little thing!

Jamie said...

Cute! looking forward to more ideas!

michal said...

it is so cute!

What I read said...

I was waiting to see what you planned to do with those sheets. Very cute.

Marcia W. said...

Lovely dresses. Do continue!

Fowl Single File said...

Such a cute dress, and thanks for including the price breakdown, too. And one more thing - lovely photographs.

Heather said...

I have yet to make any kind of a bubble dress, and you make it look so easy! I just love how your dress turned out, so darling!

Kelly O. said...

if only I looked that cute in a bubble dress!

leigh7911 said...

I haven't been all too sure about bubble dresses/skirts myself, but this one is *really* sweet.

Ange Moore said...

Gorgeous - who would have ever thought that the bubble skirt would make a come back in such a cute way!

Kristin said...

That is such a cute dress!

Tamarynn Leigh said...

I love bubble skirts/dresses!!! This is darling! Thanks so much for linking up!!!

Nancy said...

Love it! My princess definately needs one of these!!

BKicklighter said...

I'm inspired, I tell you! My two year old would look cuter than cute!

Jen said...

Very cute!

Amy said...

I love bubble dresses. Too cute! Thanks.
llpreschool at gmail dot com

sally said...

I love the cuteness of this dress.

Amy said...

I love it! Thanks for the directions! Your blog rocks!
ajh15@hotmail.com

sue said...

I love this bubble dress-super cute

Galimamphigouri said...

It's very cute, I'll do that I think. Thank you!!! I put a link (and a photo with your permission?)on my second blog ( http://galimamphigouric.canalblog.com/archives/2010/04/21/17645435.html ).

Sarah said...

I don't usually love bubble dresses/skirts, but this is soooo cute!

sarah8914 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Oh how I love this! I have some fabulous floral-y sheets that are just waiting to be made into something this sweet!
We have a Friday Fun Finds party (on Fridays, of course)... If you're interested, we'd love it if you'd link up this week!

mel said...

That is stinkin' adorable!! Thanks for the tips!!

Mandy said...

Im new to sewing using patterns and my two little girls would look so sweet in this dress!

Mandy:
mcgill_mandy@hotmail.com

Natalie said...

Who knew bubbles would come back! I am SO enjoying your prolific sewing.

The Sewing Dork said...

Whadda ya mean 62 cents? I am soooo impressed!

Unknown said...

bubbles on babies makes me swoon. So cute!

Peggy said...

Bubble dresses as so cute! Thank you!!

Unknown said...

SO Cute! I have some sheets at home I may end up cutting up for that!

Ana @ Don't Fear the Ripper said...

Love it! It looks so "bubbly"!
acwink@cox.net

Braden and Cheri said...

Hi! I'm new to your blog. So tell me, you have one basic pattern that you simply alter a little here and there to create ALL these different dresses? Or do each have their own pattern? You inspire me! Now, to find a sheet that is cute enough for a dress...

Anonymous said...

I thought the same thing about 80's fashion but am also loving the bubble dresses... ESPECIALLY this one!