a spring wrap dress

Hey Hey! happy "Sewing Saturday.  Spring is here! At least it seems to be...the weather has been nuts the past several weeks with the fluctuating temperatures! What better way to welcome the warm, spring sunshine than donning a pretty, flowy, floral wrap dress! I found this lightweight, stretch fabric in a beautiful blush pink at Joann's and thought it would make the perfect dress. I'm short and also have a short torso so finding a ready-made wrap dress that hits my waist in the right spot is difficult but I knew if I made my own I'd be able to solve that problem with no trouble. I only bought 2 yards and it really wasn't enough fabric for my comfort! I had to piece together scraps for the facings and the sash to make it work - that was after shortening the pattern pieces for the skirt, sleeves, and bodice. I always feel like patterns overestimate how much fabric you need but I really shorted myself this time haha. I used this Butterick pattern bought at Joann's for less than $2. The dress came together very easily and quickly. I've had the dress done for a while but needed to hand-stitch on the hook and eyes and tack down the facings...hand sewing is not my favorite and I usually put it off forever. Can't wait to wear it out and about!

favorite things friday

Hello all! Here are a few of my favorite things lately. As much as I love wearing my boots and sweaters, I can't wait to start dressing in florals and lightweight dresses again! #isitspringyet :) Don't you think this floral phone case is darling?! Have a fantastic weekend! 
sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

crisp white & floral diy skirt

Are you tired of seeing this floral print fabric yet?! :) I just love it! Anything floral paired with a crisp white button-up shirt is a classic combination, in my opinion! I brought out an additional pop of color by wearing a green, beaded necklace, while keeping my other accessories (heels and clutch) toned down in neutral colors. *To see how I made a DIY clutch out of the remaining floral fabric see here!  Happy thrifted Thursday! :)

outfit details:

skirt/repurposed from thrifted dress, clutch/thrifted, button-up shirt & nude pumps/JCP, necklace/old-can't remember where from unfortunately, nails/Essie 'orange, it's obvious!', lipstick/Rimmel London 'In Vogue'

a thrifting confession & a before and after

 Confession: Sometimes, I like to buy frumpy, old, and ugly dresses from the thrift store...just for the fabric! Especially the ones in larger sizes with full skirts, and a lot of pleats (yay more fabric for the same low price!) I also enjoy that crazy look the  clerk gives me at checkout--she thinks I'm actually going to wear the dress as-is! :) Anyways, check out this gem of a dress I found the other day! The dress style, with box pleats, knife pleats, smocking at the waist, a button-up and zippered back closure, and the best part, shoulder pads, is ridiculously ugly. But, oh the fabric! It was a floral print, and in pink, yep I fell for it! Snatched it right up and placed in in my cart, I did! The fabric is 100% rayon..which I've never sewn with before, but it's a new favorite! It's really lightweight, but not sheer (so I don't have to wear a slip, or make a lining!), and it drapes really nicely! The best part is that I up-cycled a garment and didn't have to buy brand new fabric from a store! I deconstructed the dress, ironed out the fabric, and had enough for a skirt!--even reused the original dress zipper in the skirt. The pattern actually calls for an invisible zipper, but I didn't want to buy a new one. I also had enough fabric left for another project...more on that later ;) I used Simplicity's Cynthia Rowley 2512 pattern, and made version C. I love the wrap effect and the sweet little ruffle on the front left side! :) Have a great weekend!