You just yawned, didn’t you? I did. It feels like these envelopes get lamer and lamer. Are they trying to show us an absolutely blank palette for us to project our own vision onto? Or are they as bored with their basics as we are? I picked this up because I liked the neckline. I also figured all those seamlines could be fun for contrasting materials. The tech drawing of the dress screams ‘maiden aunt attending guest book at your wedding’. It should come with a carnation wrist corsage.
I felt it screaming for help- I heard its call! “help me! I’m so stinking beige!” Ok, maybe it was just on sale. Maybe I’m just on a princess seam kick. I had this fabulous stretch cotton from fabricmart that needed a friend. Ok, it needed some toning down- if I made a whole dress in this I would look like a kaleidoscope vomited on me. There’s your visual for the day. Ready? The husband was very sweet to take these pics downtown for me this evening as the sun was leaving and he was exhausted from taking pics at a charity mud run.
I gave the side panels a waist seam- I feared a circus tent visual if I just did alternating panels! I’m really pleased with this. As usual I left out the back seam and the zipper- curving the back side seams into the waist to shape it a little and used all those wonderful seams for fit adjustments- the medallion print is a stretch cotton, so it gives a good bit. I love that it was muslin free- I say we rename ‘Princess seams’ to ‘Goddess seams’! They deserve more love and respect. 3 spools of thread died in the seam finishes, but I think I have a new go to summer dress. Here’s a closer look at the sides- with my sweater- crushed sleeve wings- I used a turquoise bias tape doe my sleeve facings and oh, I raised the neckline 1 inch. It was tres colleavagy?!
So what’cha think? Medallions or details of a very ripe petri dish? Hey! I think I see the next Pantone color selection!
OK, I always wanted to do this:
Dress: Me Made
Necklace: Snow white for Disney Couture
Footwear: Converse
(class, right?)
So do you have a pattern wallflower that turned into the belle of the ball for you? I love a pleasant surprise! While writing this I kept thinking about that scene in the Thomas Dolby video where the assistant whips off her glasses, unpins her chignon and she’s suddenly hot! Enjoy:
photo credits: meadhawg, pattern review, pinterest. All images remain the property of their original owners.
Pretty Grievances 
Much better than the pattern photos! What were they thinking!
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Thank you! I’m going to wear this to pieces this summer!
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Fantastic make…love the contrasting fabrics, you really jazzed it up! You know, I almost feel sorry for those models sometimes – trying to fake those smiles as they wear the dowdiest stuff!
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That blonde seems to be their plus size pic victim- I feel bad for her!
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Quite artistic!
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Aw shucks, Ma’am!
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Great dress, perfect shoes and I love the location!
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The shoes were a last minute inspiration!
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Very cute and fun. I especially like it with the sneaks. If I saw you on the street I would think you look like someone I would want to know. It has a sort of apron thing going on, in a good way.
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Oh it does, doesnt it- I kind of like that detail now!
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The waist seams…brilliant idea and love the pizazz you added with those lovely colours!
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you blinded that with ALL KINDS OF SCIENCE.
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I try to use my powers for good….
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Darling, did you notice that someone threw a jellyfish at the door above your head?
Your hair and the sneakers look great with this dress. You did save it from beige hood.
I saved a basic Lekala blouse with Goddess seams from yawns like, Twice. Check out my reviews!
Thanks for the Petri dish chuckle.
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I so wasnt dressed for a jellyfish street fight!
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Whoa, that pattern envelope is FUGLY but your version is so cute! The waist seams in the side panels are a genius touch! Well done, you!
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Ah thank you- it needed gaudying!
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Looks so comfortable. I can definetly imagening this becomming a favorite this summer 🙂
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It is quite light and cozy-
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Now you ahve made me want buttons that looks like petri dishes..
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Oh do it!!!
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I love what you’ve done to this, the colour combo is amazing and it looks stunning on you!
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Thank you- those medallions waited a long time to find a friend
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Love this, those goddess seams are fantastic! I so agree about the pattern envelopes. They should give preview copies to a couple of bloggers (inc. you and me, obviously!) and use their pics.
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Brill! Great seam matching at the sides and the contrast panels are ingenious. I too thought the petri dishes were buttons – too much sewing or one track mind?
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We are ready for the Science fair found items sewing challenge!
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I like the materials you use as it shows how funky you can be with a pattern.
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It was such a blank canvas!
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Lovely dress on you that just shows what can be accomplished with true vision!! It looks perfect with your converse choice too …. And they give great ‘tude to your whole look. What is it with the pattern companies?? Who would make that pattern as is? Astonishing really. Maybe you should write them a letter to demonstrate your before and after! 😉
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I guess they want us to see potential? Or they have given up!
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From this day forth I will forever call fab seaming with colour Goddess seams in you honour. We are not worthy;)
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Lets start a thing, shall we?
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Yes. I have one in the wings as we speak.
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Internet high 5 to you print mixing master. You’re version is most more flattering and more visually interesting. You must make another!
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Its no tiki vixen, but hey, I like it!
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Your version really takes advantage of the construction and shows you off beautifully! 🙂
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Oh thank you!
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You took dull and gave it CPR. Successfully. That pattern will be happy to hold its head up again (Although I hear the model wants to join the witness protection program). Well done 🙂
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This is lovely Anne! And, it fits you SO much better than the pattern envelope versions. It’s one thing to like neutral fabrics, but why wouldn’t they concentrate on making the outfits fit properly? The solid side panels are very flattering. And, I loke that petri dish photo! I want fabric just like it now.
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Spoonflower brings you ‘the infection collection’!
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“like” not “loke”. Although I looked up ‘loke’ and, according to urban dictionary it is a word, so I could have just left it and pretended that I was an urban hipster! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=loke
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Excellent- we’ll work toward ‘lurve’
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“kaleidoscope vomited on me” God you make me laugh – Love your dress and that fabric found a great home with you and friend with that blue. Very nice indeed and yes – I love me a princess seam too. Great petri dishes.
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Thank you!!!
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Ooh, I like yours SO much more than theirs!
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Poor big4- they need stylist help!
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Yay for sewing clothes that are way better than the envelope! You look fantastic and are hilarious as per usual. 🙂 Love the “kaleidoscope vomit” print, and in a different colorway, I’d totally rock fabric that looked like your petrie dish pic–does that make me weird?
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Nope! Totally inspired!
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Pattern pictures look like what my dentists assistant wears. Your version is beautiful. Great colour mixing, really suits you, and fabulous fit.
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Thank you! I had fun with this!
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Like you only the neckline would have made me look twice at that pattern and unlike you, I would have put it back. Now, I have another pattern to take a good hard look at! Beautiful job and I love what you did with the side panels. Looks perfect. Bring on Mickey!
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Im so used to seeing a round neck princess seam combo- this got my attention!
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I love it! So colorful and summery.
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Love your version, the pattern envelope definitely would have passed me by, so thankfully you spotted the potential! Great use of colour & print – as always! 🙂
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Another win in the eternal war of seeing past the envelope nonsense to the potential of a pattern. Love your colour blocking!
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Thank you!!
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Not too “scary” at all! i love the colour combinations you have used!
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