Think Spring!

Dress design for Shabby Apple Dresses

Here it is--my spring dress design for the Shabby Apple "Dare to Design" contest.

This is a knee-length, short sleeved dress that I designed with dramatic diagonal pleating on the front of the skirt and sleeves. It has pockets and a back zipper. It is made of stretch cotton in a gorgeous azure blue color. There are satin details at the top bodice, waist and pockets.

back view

neck and waist detail

side pocket detail

My inspiration: You've been wearing charcoal, eggplant and black all winter. Don't get me wrong, they have been fabulous, but the temperature outside is flirting with 65, and you are sick of winter and ready to break out the sunless tanner and ditch the tights. This is the dress that will put you in the mood for kites and daffodils. It is modern with a nod to vintage, and it could be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

This dress would also be stunning in a print. Instead of using muslin to make up the pattern for the dress, I actually used some printed twill that I had lying around. I think it would look super-springy.

rough draft in a print

I know that the contest allows for drawings to be submitted, but I decided to actually make the dress since my drawing skills aren't at a level where you would be able to see what I was trying to create. (To see all the contest details go here.) I had a great time designing this dress and it forced me to purchase a dress form--something I've wanted to do for several years.

Acknowledgements: First and foremost, a shoutout to my divine sister Carrie who told me about the contest and encouraged me the whole way. Lots of thanks to my mother who taught me how to sew. And to my aunt Korinne who is a seamstress extraordinaire--thanks for lending me patterns and answering all my tough questions.

If for some reason the good people at Shabby Apple decide to select my design as one of the finalists (please, please, please), I will be begging for votes. So stay tuned...