What can I say? The sewing bug bit me this morning and now I can share this with everyone.
Can you tell she’s excited about it too?
My inspiration? Anthropologie why of course!
This dress was up on their website a little while ago and I stored it in my “inspiration” folder. It was one of those “I will find some way to create a similar look.” My daughter ended up benefiting from this one. I might have tried a dress for myself, but I am discourage at the moment at making adult clothing after a FAIL last week (don’t worry, I won’t be discouraged for long….I just need to use real patterns for myself I think). I decided to give it the name Lunar Bow though because I think the bow looks kind of like a lunar moth.
I made the little version out of knit material. It’s just so much easier to make things with. And of course, way more comfortable.
To make a little dress yourself, find a t-shirt or knit shirt and a piece of coordinating knit for the bow.
You can either use a pattern you have for the dress or make your own (like we did for the Ruffles Behind Dress). I just grabbed a dress from my daughter’s closet, pushed the sleeves in, and cut it out- making sure to leave seam allowance.
But, before cutting, I cut the shirt in half to line up the neck (it was really scooped in the front).
I then made my own sleeves, using the sleeves from the dress to get an idea. This is how they looked.
Now measure to create a piece for the front. It will be rectangular looking. I just guessed with the length, but I say it’s better to make it too long and then trim the bottom to where you like it.
Hand baste and gather down the middle some. I just went as far down until I was happy with how it looked.
Then pin to the top middle of the front piece of the dress.
Take another rectangular piece and fold the sides in. Fold the bottom half under and place right at the end of where you basted. Then fold the top underneath the top of the bow. Pin in place.
Then pin the bottom down. I pinned where I would be sewing.
Sew the middle bow part in place and sew across the middle bottom.
Then I placed the front and back piece of the dress right sides facing and sewed the shoulders together. *Make sure the bow is not in the way!*
Then pin on the sleeves and sew them on.
Place the dress right sides facing and pin sides together. Sew down bottoms of sleeves and sides of the dress.
Now, tack the top sides of the bow in place.
Turn up the bottom inside and sew around for hem.
That’s all. The bow technique could easily be done to an already made shirt or dress too. You could use a pretty chiffon or a fun cotton print. Just make sure to do something to the edges on the fabrics that will fray. Happy Sewing!
Liz says
November 13, 2010 at 5:16 pmThis rocks! I’ll be trying it!
Jessica says
November 13, 2010 at 5:23 pmsp cute!
Jessica says
November 13, 2010 at 5:34 pmVery cute! I love it! You did such an amazing job.
justenoughstyle.blogspot.com
taidyeoriginal says
November 13, 2010 at 6:21 pmThat is adoroable. Your little one looks so cute in purple. Thanks for sharing!!
taidye original
Tinkr says
November 13, 2010 at 6:50 pmI love how it turned out.
I will definately me giving this a shot!
cbryan says
November 13, 2010 at 7:12 pmThat bow is fantastic! Now I’ll have to add this tutorial to MY inspiration folder 🙂
luvinthemommyhood says
November 13, 2010 at 8:04 pmSo cute! Love the bow – you are fabulous my dear!!! Adding to my list 🙂
Emily Elizabeth says
November 13, 2010 at 10:20 pmYou are so incredibly talented! I consider myself a pretty decent sewer, but I’m not good at freestyle pattern making like this!
Gabby says
November 13, 2010 at 10:37 pmI love it!
Robin says
November 13, 2010 at 11:30 pmI love this and my daughter would love this! I can not wait to try it!
Beth @ Wiccan Make Some Too says
November 14, 2010 at 12:44 amCan you adopt me? I want a dress like that. So sweet! (I have placed myself up for adoption by the way, just have not told the kids or hubby yet)
Justine says
November 14, 2010 at 2:13 amThis is such a pretty top! I think you should make one for yourself too!
Just Better Together
h/saltaste bönan says
November 14, 2010 at 5:17 amGorgeous! I will definately make one!
Beth- the mama bee says
November 14, 2010 at 9:18 amI need to start using patterns for myself too. My last ‘me’ outfits just haven’t fit as well as they should have. We should have a sewing for ME week!
Just this... Alice says
November 14, 2010 at 4:07 pmThis is incredible! You make it look so easy that anyone could make this expensive looking dress on a limited budget. Thanks so much for sharing.
The Coupon Monkey says
November 14, 2010 at 6:46 pmThis is *BEAUTIFUL*!! Thank you for sharing this with the world!
casserole says
November 14, 2010 at 9:19 pmWhat a gorgeous little dress!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-the-lunar-bow-frock/2010/11/14/
–Anne
Happy Homemaker And Momma says
November 15, 2010 at 6:34 amWow! you amaze me in what you come up with!!!
I gave you a blog award-check it out here:
http://happyhomemakerandmomma.blogspot.com/2010/11/we-have-csn-winner-wohoo-i-received.html
Thank you for your site-it is an inspiration!!
Haley says
November 15, 2010 at 8:18 amSo cute! I’m def trying this one out. Might even make matching ones for my two girls to wear on turkey day! YOU ROCK
Cole's Corner says
November 15, 2010 at 10:03 amI saved a picture of that dress in my inspiration folder, too. How funny!
Love this dress.
PeaceLoveApplesauce says
November 15, 2010 at 5:54 pmThis is so, so, so pretty.. I love it!!
Delia says
November 16, 2010 at 3:46 pmYou are amazing to whip this up in a morning. I love it. So very pretty and whimsical. It makes it all the better when they love it too!
Nil says
November 17, 2010 at 7:19 amyour blog is so beautiful. I love he. I am sorry for my english is bad. hug
Blair says
November 19, 2010 at 5:35 pmThis is a beautiful project. Thank you for participating in the Fave Crafts blog hop. We wanted to let you know that we’re doing a special FC newsletter issue on 11/24 recapping the blog hop, including their projects and yours! We can’t wait to see what you link next month.
Thanks,
Blair, editor at FaveCrafts.com
Rachel@oneprettything.com says
November 23, 2010 at 4:14 pmGah! That’s so cute! Thanks so much, I’ll be linking to your darling dress.
Ponytails [My Passions for Fashions] says
November 24, 2010 at 9:01 amThis is so pretty! I ♥ the bow!
-Ponytails
Anonymous says
November 25, 2010 at 10:40 amvery cute dress and what a great idea. The material and colors chosen are just wonderful for adding a little cheer to the winter misery. Have 5 granddaughters that would look cute in this.
Brianne-zam says
November 28, 2010 at 2:45 amI can’t believe you copied this Anthropologie dress. I have been drooling over it for months. I wanted to try to make one for myself, but of course I’m last on the list. My baby girl, however may just benefit. Thank you so much. I don’t really sew knit so I’m intimidated but excited.
Briana J
sownbrooklyn says
November 29, 2010 at 5:32 pmI am completely trying this idea!! But for me first, then the girls ;O) That dress is in my inspiration folder, too. Thanks for taking away the guess work for me!
Alexsandra says
January 18, 2011 at 5:08 pmAdorei o seu tutorial! Ele me inspirou a fazer um vestido também, mas não tão lindo quanto o seu. Dê uma olhada na página do flickr e veja o meu vestido. Beijos.
Alexsandra Brito
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexsandrabrito/
Elegantpaws says
April 2, 2011 at 5:32 pmThat bow looks amazing and so easy with jersey! Thank you for sharing. xx
Amelie Obscura says
April 10, 2011 at 12:55 amYou are inspiring!!!
http://amelieobscura.blogspot.com/2011/04/upcycled-onesie.html
خياطة و تفصيل says
July 5, 2012 at 9:25 amthank you so much 🙂