I’m always admiring the handmade clothes I see on other blogs, so I decided to make myself a dress. I used Hope Chest by Josephine Kimberling for Blend Fabrics, because after seeing her post, I needed a dress similar to the third one shown here. However, I wanted something a little simpler and with fewer pieces, so the Rebecca Shift seemed like a perfect fit.
It turned out! In spite of my little serger troubles, my Rebecca Dress came out great. Like Sara’s second dress I added a fuller skirt to mine. I measured the bottom of a skirt that I liked the fullness of, and then used that for the width of my piece {for my dress, the skirt was two pieces cut to 31″ wide x 21 1/2″ long}. Then, I just gathered the rectangles and attached them to the band.
I also decided I didn’t really like the idea of the zipper in the back, so, since I had such success with the invisible side zipper on my Sew Serendipity Blouse, I followed those directions to put my zipper in the side {if you don’t have Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt and intend to make any garments, I highly recommend it as a perfect starting place!}.
I was really impressed with the ease of assembling the pdf pattern {I had previously thought I’d never make a dress pdf pattern as the one I had downloaded before required me to tape lots of pieces together and then cut the pattern out, this dress was much simpler!}.
I thought it was sized true to size, or maybe a bit on the loose side. I measured myself and the measurements seemed a tiny bit close for the size I normally wear, so I was worried it would be too small. But, if I make it again, I think I will make one size smaller.
I also thought it was a bit rough that the seam allowances were 1/4″, since I finished my seams with the serger, I didn’t have much of a problem, but when I zig zag I like to have a bit more fabric on the inside so it doesn’t get all bunched up.
That being said, I really think anyone could make this dress! It is simple, fun, and yields a quick result. Oh, and I wore it already too, and everyone seemed to love it. So, pick out some fabric and make one!
About Jennie
A mother-daugher {best friends} team who love to spend our days together {long distance} sewing, quilting, designing, drinking coffee, chatting, and chasing our little ones!
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Very cute dress. Well done. It looks nice on you.
Karen M recently posted..Today’s Progress
Looks great but I bet everything looks great on you
Cute! Love it!!
I really love the fabric you chose, and the dress looks super nice on you. Great job!
Lovely dress, Jennie. You are beautiful.
Well done!
Cindy Sharp recently posted..Wachet Auf! pt 2
First of all, you look beautiful in that dress! And secondly, the dress turned out lovely.
Oh, and I love your shoes!!!
Michelle @ needle and nest recently posted..We weren’t planning a home birth…
What a beautiful dress, great fabric choices!
Linh recently posted..Salt Water by Tula Pink – On Sale!
Absolutely lovely!
A lovely dress for a lovely lady. =)
Your dress looks fabulous! The prints and colour are perfect on you!
Suz recently posted..I don’t think I showed you these….
Lovely dress and it really suits you! I like the combination of different prints and the colours too….and you do make a lovely model!
Helen x
Helen Philipps recently posted..Tis The Season…
Beautiful dress Jennie! It also fits you perfectly. I’m glad it worked out in the end.
Jenelle recently posted..WIP Wednesday {December Makes}
Looks great. I am hoping to finish mine up soon. I like how you added a fuller skirt. I would have liked a fuller skirt. However, since this is my first try at garment making I am going with the pattern Thanks for sharing! Checking out the blouse you suggested.
Jenniffier recently posted..An Instagram Work in Progress Wednesday
Sensational!!! Simply put!!!
It turned out great, Jennie!
Chrissy recently posted..Granny Gone Wrong
The dress is beautiful – especially on you Jennie!
Mary on Lake Pulaski recently posted..More gifts…don’t look if you are family!!
Lovely dress and I agree that the zipper should go to the side as it would have disrupted the look to the back, good choice. The fabric you picked is beautiful as well and looks fabulous on you, well done.