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Hello everyone,
I can hardly believe June is almost over and IPM is coming an end. This is one of my entries for the last challenge : RTW copy. Here is my picture of a fashion blogger outfit I have loved on Pinterest for years.
It was challenging finding out where this picture had come from as all the repins on Pinterest had no source. I eventually tracked it down to a fashion blogger jxxsy and  found out that it was a vintage dress.
https://www.instagram.com/p/3w3lyxiZv9/
Armed with the info I needed I shopped the stash for a suitable fabric. I have had this medium weight cotton fabric for a long while now and thought the blue was a good enough fit. It has grey dragonflies among the white ones. Its such a lovely print…..a touch of the whimsical about it.
Cami shirt dress
I decided to use the Cami Dress by Pauline Alice patterns. I have had this in my stash since I saw Corrine Appleby’s gingham entry from last year’s IPM.
My first muslin, in size 36, was way too small though my measurements fit that. I went a size up to 38. That fit OK across the bust but I couldn’t raise my arms beyond 60Â degrees. So I raised the armscye and reduced my seam allowance to 3/8″ and that did the trick. Other adjustments included:
- Drafting a peter pan Collar. Pauline has got a sewalong to follow with a section on drafting a peter pan collar.The finished collar with pink floral bias  binding  makes for a quirky element.
- I also raised front neckline by 1/4″ so the collar was just touching my neck.
- I wanted to have a lovely fifties puff to the dirndl style skirt o counterbalance the gathered waist. A horsehair braid to the  the hem gives the dress a bit of the fifties style flare.
- I made the belt using a belt kit.
In order to complete the outfit I wanted something in keeping with fifties style. My initial attempt at hacking a Sewaholic Renfrew top into a cardigan did not fit with this style. I decided a cute bolero was the way to go. Throughout this challenge I have been using stash items so I was very reluctant to buy a pattern or indeed fabric. Browsing through Pinterest I stumbled upon Sew So Easy patterns which have a lot of free patterns and one of them was for a shrug. I sewed it up in no time at all and I do really like it. I expect more of these stash busting cuties. There are only 3 seams to sew and I hemmed using a simple zigzag stitch. I went for french navy blue so I could create a monotone look. Pictures…..
I love this outfit. Its a cheery sort of outfit. I am so pleased with  it – its not a style I have tried before. Its a very comfortable shirt dress indeed!
Thank you so much for checking out my post!
Peace and love!
Hila
XOX
Toya
June 30, 2016 12:45 amI love it too!
CurlsnSkirls
June 30, 2016 12:52 amSuites you perfectly! Love your smiles (and shoes!). 😀
prttynpnk
June 30, 2016 2:00 amClassic and very pretty!
oldschoolsewing
June 30, 2016 2:30 amLove this look on you. It turned out beautifully.
Erin's Notions
June 30, 2016 4:53 amI love this dress so much!!! I am always a sucker for a 50’s silhouette. Always so classic and feminine, and just plain fun! And oh my goodness! The bias tape to finish your neckline. It is just such a fun addition! I think good designs are made with those little details.
thedementedfairy
June 30, 2016 8:07 amVery sweet and pretty! That’s a great colour on you
tialys
June 30, 2016 8:40 amLove the fabric you used. I like your version much better than the original which reminds me too much of a vintage nurse’s uniform 😉 but that could just be the colour.
lisa g
July 1, 2016 11:21 amThis is so cute! Great fabric. Been thinking to pick up this pattern, it’s a really nice shirt dress!
Hila
July 1, 2016 11:46 amIts a nice comfy dress. It also has the option of making a circle skirt instead of dirndl.
Lisa Poblenz (patternandbranch)
July 1, 2016 12:10 pmOh. My. Goodness. That is so cute! You are winning left and right with these outfits! I LOVE those two blues together, too. Great outfit. It looks beautiful on you.
Hila
July 6, 2016 11:10 amThanks Lisa! That shrug is soo useful and goes well t shirts – I dont know why I havent had this in my life!
Hélène
July 2, 2016 2:38 pmAdorable! And you found the nicest shoes to go with your vintage dress. Great styling! One of the best Cami dresses I’ve seen was made by Annie Coton. Her shooting in Italy was enchanting : http://anniecoton.fr/robe-7-cami-volterra-san-casciano-in-val-di-pesa/
Hila
July 6, 2016 11:08 amI love that version too! Now I must make one in a solid chambray.
gingerella
July 3, 2016 9:26 pmThis is so beautiful Hila! I really have to come up with something better to comment on your posts but everything is!
Hila
July 6, 2016 11:04 amThanks Jennifer! Beautiful is good enough . I didnt get that a lot growing up so its nice to be on the receiving end 🙂
PendleStitches
July 4, 2016 8:19 pmYou are too cute in this dress. It’s just adorable!
Hila
July 4, 2016 8:24 pmAw thanks! I feel very cute in it 🙂
PendleStitches
July 5, 2016 4:49 pmThen it’s the perfect dress!