What a summer! It’s crazy to me that this is the first project I’ve sewn for myself in almost two months, since the sewing retreat the first week in June. I’ve been so incredibly – and unexpectedly – busy this summer. While I’ve made sure to spend as much time with the kids outside as possible (lots of trips to the outdoor pool, hiking, biking, etc.), I’ve also had to work much more than usual, which has been hard on all of us. I needed something like a beautiful gown to feel better, and this one definitely did the trick!
I’d say the cover photo of Simplicity 8137 is deceiving in that version A did not look nearly as full as it really is. It’s probably because of the way she’s walking, but I was actually worried I would have to add to the width of the skirt to get it to flow. Now I see I definitely don’t need to!
I used some kind of drapey woven from my Grandma’s Stash, which I have used before in this dress. I’m so glad there was exactly enough to make this one because I like it so much better than the other. I also used a light crepe lining fabric from my Grandma’s Stash, so this dress literally cost me only the price of the pattern. I cut and sewed a straight size 10, but once I went to wrap it around me and attach the snaps to the inside, I realized I should have graded it out to a 12 at the waist. Luckily, this is a design you can fit to your body, so I can easily move the snaps wherever I need them. Also, after I wore this out to dinner with my girlfriends, I decided to change the snaps to hooks or something more reliable because the snaps kept popping open!
I got a lovely back shot of the dress, and then this happened:
Stay down, dress. Too much leg!
And what am I holding?! It’s a lovely vintage straw tote bag that we found the last time we stayed in Breckenridge and rode our bikes up to Frisco. We had barely rode into town and were looking for a place to park our bikes to have lunch, and I looked over and saw it at a thrift store and literally gasped and screeched to a halt! It was only $15 and my husband is indulgent, so I took this lovely bag home with me and have used it almost daily since. It’s a nice way to help carry all the extra stuff I end up needing, beyond what goes in my purse.
And this is how I wore it for the 10 mile bike ride back to Breckenridge!
Honestly, this dress got a lot of attention. I think it’s because I hardly ever wear maxi dresses. But when I wear this one, I feel like a Greek goddess.
