Here is my Ruby Star Typewriters dress! After much unnecessary work and getting sidetracked, it is finished! This is one of the dresses that I’m going to wear to Quilt Market next month, and I’m so happy with the way it came out, it fits like a glove and is comfortable besides!
The pattern that I used was the Monique Dress from Serendipity Studio. I made my first version of this dress a year and a half ago (and you can find my pattern review for it here). I still agree with all of the things that I first said about it. The only alterations that I had to make was that I tweaked the darts on the bodice a tiny bit, I took in the sides by about 1/4″ each, and I sewed a bigger seam allowance when I attached the front and back at the shoulders (the reason for this was that I had extra fabric along the neckline that I wanted to tighten up). Because of these adjustments, I also had to alter the facings a little bit as well (I just took them in, it was really easy).
The pattern calls for a gathered skirt (which you can see in my first version), but since I used a decor-weight fabric on my Typewriter Dress, I opted to go with a circle skirt, at the suggestion of Kay Whitt, the pattern’s designer. I have a book by Mary Adams called the Party Dress Book; at the back of the book is a pattern to make this dress. I used the circle skirt pattern piece from that book. However, as I started cutting, I realized that because my fabric was directional, I ended up needing double the fabric to cut the circle skirt that I would need had the fabric been non-directional (so yes, I had to buy 4 yards of $20/yard fabric…I nearly passed out when I had to order a 4th yard from Mountain of the Dragon).
So my advice to you…don’t cut a circle skirt out of directional fabric. 😉
Also, my original Typewriter dress had a fluffy orange pettiskirt made of organza fabric. I first made another circle skirt out of the orange organza. Then, I cut up 1-1/2 yard of additional organza into 7″ bias strips. I attached these bias strips together to form one 6 yard strip, and then I hemmed both sides of the strip and ruffled using my ruffler foot. I then topstitched the ruffle so that it was even with the bottom edge of the skirt. At this time, the dress was pretty much finished, but despite sounding really good in my head, I really hated the way the pettiskirt looked under the dress. I don’t know if it was the orange or what. So I ripped it out. Five hours down the drain. Not sure what I’m going to do with that now.
ANYWAY. I’m really in love with this pattern. I started cutting another version last night using Amy Butler Love fabric. This dress just fits in all the right places, and I realize it would be overkill to make up 20 different versions of the same dress (although I really want to).
Well, if you see someone at Market wearing this dress, please say hi. 🙂
AHHHHHhhhhdorable!
Wow, that is one expensive dress. BUT it looks fabulous! The dots are a perfect coordinate. My first reaction was Ah ha! So this is the naughty secretary whose bag we saw before!! :O)
Oh my goodness that’s a lot of that fabric! But what a great result 🙂
Such a great fit and love the fabric! You look so adorable 🙂 I really want to make a dress out of this pattern – thanks for your review and tips! Adding it to my long to-do list… one day I need to learn to sew skirts and dresses, my originial reason for getting a sewing machine 2 years ago… some day 😉
Oh I love that! And it is so cute on you with your glasses. LOVE IT! I am getting ready to make a similar dress. What do you suggest as fabric to use for the first time making clothing? I’d like to order it, but i need to make sure it is the right weight. Thanks.
You are too cute in that dress! I love it. And the shoes are perfect. Bummer that you needed so much fabric. Clothing is so hard with directional prints.
Absolutely darling!!
Oh you look amazing!!! That’s a lot of typewriters!
I too wanted to make myseld a piece of clothing out of this fabric, but I thought the large graphics might look overwhelming. Not the case! Now you’re inspiring me! Your dress came out fantastically.
Love it! I don’t know why, but I didn’t realize that the typewriters were so big. For some reason I was thinking they were much smaller. I love how it turned out.
Thanks for the comments everyone!! I had some conversations about people wanting to make skirts/dresses but being nervous…I would also like to recommend Kay Whitt’s book http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Serendipity-Fresh-Pretty-Designs/dp/1440203571/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1335370750&sr=8-3.
She explains things really well, and her patterns also have a ton of variations, so you will know how to change things up a bit.
Oh it is super cute! I am so very impressed. 🙂
That is AMAZING!!! Love the typewriters, love the style of the dress, love everything! And urm, can I look like you please?!! Stunning 😉 I think you should make 20!
AH! how cute is that! i love it!
this is TOOO cute, I love this type of dress, so retro and classic. once I’m back to normal weight (maybe next spring) I’ll for sure make this.
is that really you in the picture??? you are so young!!
That dress really has personality! This is my daughter’s favorite pattern (she has 3 now) and I’m so glad to find your alteration for tightening up the neckline. I added elastic into the facing to accomplish that, but I’m going to try your idea of taking up the shoulder seam allowance more on the next one.
oh my gosh, could you be any cuter??? i’m seriously coveting that dress, too.
Your dress is beautiful! You did such a wonderful job! It makes me want to make a dress now, too… 🙂
I love dresses. I think they are so easy to put on and well worth shaving the legs every day! I wish I was brave enough to try my hand at making one. I agree that buying that much yardage would be a bit hard to swallow!
Oh my goodness this is just fabulous! Love everything about it 🙂
love it!!
Super cute. I love the high waist of the dress and the full skirt. Looks comfortable as well.
Love the shape of this dress, plus I’m a big typewriter nerd so the fabric really appeals too 🙂 just lovely!
Ooh, this is the best use of the typewriters that I’ve seen so far! LOVE IT!
Oh My Giddy Aunt I love it!
wow, that’s stunning!
How cute is that???? It might be that the reason the petticoat didn’t work is that the weight is decor weight and the organza couldn’t hold it up enough. Why don’t you give it a try with a lighter weight fabric in a new summer dress?
So cute!
Love the dress! The fabric works so well with the cut =D
Also I’ve added some new fabrics into my swap shop. If you’re interested feel free to check it out =D
http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/p/cheraldines-swap-shop.html
aWesome!! and i sometimes purchase some crazy $$ stuff just to get something made.
Soo cute!
Super cute. I may have to try my hand at dress making
great fabric! Great dress!
I just love what you see when you look at a piece of fabric! So cute Sara. Maybe make a tutu twirly skirt for violet with the orange ruffles. Lime green will go really cute WITH the orange.
omg, i cant belive you just made that?!?!?! its a stunning dress, i want to make one so bad!!! yay!
love K
Love it! The dress looks great and the fabric choice is wonderful
I am swooning over your dress – it is GORGEOUS! That fabric was well worth every penny! 🙂
Wow! I love this!
I must know how big your circle skirt is – is it a full circle? A double circle? Thanks! I just need to make my own!