DIY Doily Dress

I have been meaning to post this all week... except I never remember to take photos of the finished garment when I'm actually wearing it out! I am really happy with how this dress turned out as not all my own designs do... 

My first idea came from my cousins blog when I saw the cut up doily she had left over from some christmas decorations she had made. I thought, hey that looks like a purpose built neck line for a top or dress... 

I rummaged through my little pile of doilies and found this one

I snipped out the centre..

rummaged through my stash of fabric and decided this lilac organza would fit the bill.

I am "borrowing" my mums dressmaking dummy and I tell you it makes designing/fitting clothes a breeze! 

I literally took the length of fabric - about 1.5 meters and chopped it in half pinned it to each side of the doily with a few gathers on each boob and one in the centre back. Pinned the side seems loosely and it was ready to be sewn.. 

Here it is before i had sewn it, I decided after to cut it just above the knee. I didn't even hem it... probably will have to at some point though!

Here it is, worn with a tan leather belt and some peep toes. 

I really like the scooping back too :)

I wore it out on Friday night, Matt and I had a very rare night out at a Christmas party and it's definitely a party dress...  Now I just need to find a few more occasions to wear it too, and work on the hang over it gave me!

xox

Cotton Candy! From Sheet to Shorts...

I have been collecting the odd cotton sheet from 2nd hand stores / Thrift stores for sometime now. If you can find one in good condition, without the worn middle then you have yourself a huge piece of fabric to play around with. I mostly look out for vintage floral ones, but this week I found this delicious cotton candy striped one. The cotton is fantastic quality and is still lovely and thick. The colours are "me" too. Although I did intend to make the boys pants/shorts from it.. I thought no, I will make something for me this time.
I found a pattern from one of my Burda magazines and got to it....

How cute is that sheet! $3 from The Sallys!

 Cotton Candy

My new sewing toy.... great time saver!

a dotty guide to cut out

Finito!

So what do you think? 

Vintage Sprinkle Skirt

I found a little beaut at The Sally's on Friday - this cute skirt. It reminds me of cupcake sprinkles! Love the colour too! Here are a few pics...

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We had an awesome day at the beach yesterday, it was beautifully sunny then a big black cloud came rolling in and created a magical light. It was crazy for me to think I grew up in Gisborne, yet only been to this particular beach a handful of times.. We will definitely be going back soon. 

 Summer is here finally, the boys have swam in the sea twice this week, I might even get in next time. Better work on my pasty complexion with some fake tan first though!  

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Another weekend gone. Next weekend we're off camping! Yay! Any tips for camping with two littlies! EEEEK....