About Me

South Louisiana
I have been married for 20 years to a great husband and we have 8 children ranging in age from 1 to 18 years. I am a homeschooling mom, which can be very challenging. I love sewing, knitting, reading, gardening and have recently started oil painting. I love to create. I really want to have a blog to show off some of the stuff I create, but I also want to share about my life and family. email me at ctrich8@bellsouth.net

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

New summer dress

I have been wanting to make one of those cute, long maxi dresses. I wanted a halter style, so I decided to use Amy Butler's Cabo Halter for the top part, since it was the only pattern I had that resembled what I wanted and I needed(wanted) to start sewing immediately LOL I just made a gathered skirt to attach to the bodice. I used the sheets I had bought from Target because I wasn't sure how it would turn out and needed a lot of fabric. I didn't want to waste some expensive fabric in case it was a disaster. I really love the print and the sheet fabric is so crisp and cool, perfect for a summer dress.

For anyone who hasn't made the Cabo Halter, it is VERY low and kind of gaps open, especially if you are any bigger than an A cup. I had to fix this because I don't think it is appropriate for a 37 year old mom of 7 to be walking around with her boobs hanging out, plus my 16 year old son would have just died of embarrassment LOL I had to add a little strip across the front and top stitch everything together. Even after doing this, the top is obviously not made for a woman with boobage. I am not huge, on the small side of a 34D and I am bursting at the top. I really needed to make a full bust alteration, but I don't know how to on a halter top. It kind of just smashes my boobs. It is still very wearable, and besides feeling a little tight across the chest, I really love it. The skirt part is loose and flowy and so cool in this South Louisiana heat!


Dh took the pictures while laying on a float in the pool, so they aren't that great LOL Plus he was trying to get me to make sexy faces at him, which grossed the kids out! I spared y'all those pictures, they are more goofy than sexy. The lighting is terrible, but you can get an idea of what the dress looks like. I wore it to my friend's house and out to dinner and was super comfortable even after I ate like a pig. Which makes this the perfect dress IMO : D

edited: Just a reminder that Project Runway starts tonight! I am soooooo excited, this is my absolute favorite show on tv, well that and LOST. Yeah, there is no rhyme or reason to my tv watching habits lol Anyway, I can't wait!

16 comments:

Tine said...

Your comment on why you needed to fiw the low-cut top made me LOL!!
That is so funny!
The dress is beautiful!

Kelci said...

That looks beautiful on you! How difficult is the pattern you used for the top? I'm really wanting to make something for myself but am totally intimidated by patterns. And how much fabric did you need?

Oh, and what's wrong with husbands? When my husband saw the apron you made for me, he asked whether it was suppose to be worn with no clothing. Um, no. Not sanitary.

Jana Nielson said...

That is Adorable!! You do NOT look like the 37 year old mother to so many kids....rude!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Grat dress Tonya! Ingenius choice of material - looks so fresh and cool! Wish we were wearing summer clothing here!

Jona Giammalva said...

I think it's gorgeous and I really like the squared neckline look. I'm totally in agreement about keeping the boobage in check. Some things are just not for public viewing.

Madi said...

ok for a mom of 7 kids you look lovely as a matter a fact.. you dont look like a mom at all.. even hiding those boobs.. ( you and me too.. ) I agree that you dont need to be hanging out at 37.. me either. I love what you did with this pattern.. and can not wait to try it..

muralimanohar said...

Those sheets came out great!! :p I would never dare a halter top...and a halter that doesn't actually work?? Pass. But your result looks pretty nice! :p

Trish said...

The dress looks absolutely wonderful! I LOVE the "material" too. Too bad I don't even have enough boobage for halters...*sigh*

vicvic said...

This looks gorgeous on you! I'm torn when it comes to wearing a halter - just on the verge of my modesty limit, lol!

How about widening the dart under the bust or adding a dart on the side? You could just make the very top part with some fabric scraps to test it out? I am curious to see what you do because I have the same problem.

Holly said...

What a hot mommy you are! I love the new dress!... :-( sorry about the boobage problem... I've been looking at my Cabo pattern for months... Might have to pass it on to a friend! My "sistas" don't need any more attention brought their way!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Tonya, that dress is too cute. The alteration on the top is perfect. I see no boobage or bursting on the top. LOL. I'm with you on this one. Boobs are not meant to hang out! Even teeny-weeny ones like mine! Way cute, girlfriend.

Cassie

PS I love Project Runway. I DVR'd it so that my girls and I could watch it tonight. Hopefully none of the contenders will be too colorful. Sometimes there is a lot of beeps in their language (gasp!). My girls will look at me as if to say, "Is this alright?"

Heidi said...

Hi Tonya, I just sat down to read your blog quietly after a day of hardwork!!...I have been cleaning & reorganizing my sewing room,.. so I can attack all my sewing projects I want to accomplish!! I cannot tell you how cluttered it had gotten!...Obviously I have not exactly shown it in my blog!!??....Anyway, your dress looks absolutely adorable!!!...love the long length!! I have wanted to make something similar for a few months now!, but mine is still a nicely folded piece of fabric!?....Your idea about using Target sheets is genius!!! Holly & I have been keeping our eye out for some pretty ones, so we could completely copy our friend Tonya!!!...LOved your post!!!...Heidi XO
P.S. Finally placed an order at Fabritopia!!! ...thank you for letting us all know about them!

Marie said...

Dang, you're cute Tonya-the dress is great! And I'm actually flattered you used the birdies for appliques after seeing it on my blog-that's the whole point of sharing ideas, right?! :)

Sunflower Farm and Petit Creek Lavender said...

I love your new dress. Don't you just love how our son's can keep us in line:) Have a wonderful summer

Anonymous said...

Ah, to have such a nice figure!!! 7kids and you look fabulous. I'd have had 100 if it would have meant looking as good as you do!

The dress is very cute. Great job. Your hubby sounds like a hoot. I bet it is quite entertaining at your house! ;)

Teresa said...

Wow! The dress turned out beautiful! And I love the fabric (sheet)!