OUTFIT DETAILS: dress made by me (similar here, tutorial below) | similar heels | stella dot spike bracelet | brandy pham needle bracelet, c/o | wrenn jewelry bracelets | bauble bar earrings (sold out, similar here)
I made this pretty color blocked lace dress a few weeks ago for Valentine’s Day after seeing this gorgeous Betsey Johnson dress at Nordstrom. It was the perfect unique and feminine dress for Valentine’s date night, but with Easter only a month away, it would make an amazing Easter dress too, don’t you think?? You could make it in shades of pink and blush, like I did, or in greens, blues, purples, or yellows for a more festive Easter look.
Click through to find the full sewing tutorial!
Materials:
2 yards lace, total (1/2 yard each color)
2 yards lining, total (1/2 yard each color)
matching thread
20-22″ invisible zipper
Before you start, use this tutorial to create 2 yards of color blocked fabric.
1. First cut your pattern pieces. You’ll need a BODICE FRONT (cut on the folded edge), 2 BODICE BACK pieces, NECKLINE LINING (cut 2), 2 SLEEVES (cut along the folded edge), and a big rectangular piece for the skirt (measure your waist, multiply by 1.5, and then divide that number by 2. This is your measurement. Each of your rectangles should be this measurement for the width. Make the length as long or short as you’d like).
2. Sew darts into your BODICE FRONT piece. (Typically I only do side darts OR front darts, not both, but with this dress the fit was better when I did both darts. Do whatever works for your body type).
3. Sew the BODICE FRONT and two BODICE BACK pieces together at the shoulder seams (with right sides together).
4. Now it’s time to attach the sleeves. Line up the top of the sleeve with the bodice shoulder seam (as shown) with right sides together. Pin in place.
5. Continue pinning the sleeve to the bodice, and then sew along the arm hole with a straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve.
6. With right sides together, sew up the sides of the bodice with a straight stitch.
7. Sew the two neckline pieces together to form an “O,” then cut the back part of the neckline open to match the two BODICE BACK pieces. Then attach the NECKLINE LINING to the BODICE neckline with a straight stitch (there’s a more detailed illustration and instruction for this step over here).
Tuck the NECKLINE LINING inside the dress, pin in place, and then sew around the entire neckline with a straight stitch to secure the lining in place.
8. Take your two skirt pieces and, with right sides together, attach them on the sides with a straight stitch. Baste around the entire opening on the top edge. Make sure to leave your basting threads long so you can pull them to gather.
9. Pull your long basting threads to create a gathered waistband. Gather until the waistband is the same circumference as the bodice circumference.10. With right sides together, pin your skirt and bodice together at the waistline, and sew around the waistline with a straight stitch. Serge your seam allowance and press your seam.
11. Insert your zipper following the instructions on the package, and then sew up the remaining opening of the dress. If your lace and lining needs to be hemmed at the bottom, do that now (I hemmed it when I was creating my textile at the beginning). Press all your seams, and you’re done!Now go make yourself a beautiful Easter dress!!
2. Sew darts into your BODICE FRONT piece. (Typically I only do side darts OR front darts, not both, but with this dress the fit was better when I did both darts. Do whatever works for your body type).
3. Sew the BODICE FRONT and two BODICE BACK pieces together at the shoulder seams (with right sides together).
4. Now it’s time to attach the sleeves. Line up the top of the sleeve with the bodice shoulder seam (as shown) with right sides together. Pin in place.
5. Continue pinning the sleeve to the bodice, and then sew along the arm hole with a straight stitch. Repeat for the second sleeve.
6. With right sides together, sew up the sides of the bodice with a straight stitch.
7. Sew the two neckline pieces together to form an “O,” then cut the back part of the neckline open to match the two BODICE BACK pieces. Then attach the NECKLINE LINING to the BODICE neckline with a straight stitch (there’s a more detailed illustration and instruction for this step over here).
Tuck the NECKLINE LINING inside the dress, pin in place, and then sew around the entire neckline with a straight stitch to secure the lining in place.
8. Take your two skirt pieces and, with right sides together, attach them on the sides with a straight stitch. Baste around the entire opening on the top edge. Make sure to leave your basting threads long so you can pull them to gather.
9. Pull your long basting threads to create a gathered waistband. Gather until the waistband is the same circumference as the bodice circumference.10. With right sides together, pin your skirt and bodice together at the waistline, and sew around the waistline with a straight stitch. Serge your seam allowance and press your seam.
11. Insert your zipper following the instructions on the package, and then sew up the remaining opening of the dress. If your lace and lining needs to be hemmed at the bottom, do that now (I hemmed it when I was creating my textile at the beginning). Press all your seams, and you’re done!Now go make yourself a beautiful Easter dress!!
Such a gorgeous, romantic, colour blocking dress!! Love it!
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
Love it! Way to go on the seam matching on the sides! I love it when they all match perfectly!
Stunning!! I’ve been waiting to see it since you teased it on IG. Looks lovely!!
WOW! This is beautiful. How long did it take you in total? It looks great!
Honestly I have no idea. I spent about a week on it — maybe 15-20 hours total?
Gorgeous dress! Love it!
Lovely! Great work!
Hey! Do you have exact measurements for the pattern?
I don’t — sorry!
I never thought of sewing the fabric together and then cutting out the pattern pieces! That’s such a simple idea and it would make things much easier!
http://mollyandstacie.com
you are a wizard! goal of the year: make a dress.
xo, k
http://www.pocketofblossoms.com
Do you have a tutorial on sewing darts in? I’ve nevre attempted that before. Otherwise i could totally fget on board witht making this, super cute!
this is so pretty, you talented lady! xx
Cute! I really want to make this!
I would have used a lace edging on the sleeves as well, like the edging you did around the skirt hem. Cute dress. Cute idea.
I never of thought these could be possible until I found your blog. Wow! After all I got a webpage from where I know how to actually take useful information regarding my study and knowledge.
lace fit and flare dress
http://www.fzillion.com/women/women-s-clothing/women-s-casual-dresses.html?p=5
Hey Merrick! This is a lovely dress. I just wanted to mention that the link to the color block tutorial has changed to this http://www.joann.com/blog-How-to-Make-Your-Own-Spring-Textiles.html. I googled it, since your link wasn’t working. Thanks for such great inspiration!
Thank you! The link is now updated 🙂 xx