This is the dress that the sewing blog community made happen–thanks, y\’all.
I posted a couple weeks ago that I was frustrated with this dress. If you remember, I was asking whether I should put a bow at center front waist or whether I should put them on the shoulder straps. I was at a loss since my original plan of making a tiki dress just was. not. working. and I was at a loss for how to style the dress mid-project.
I\’d been saving the fabric forever (literally years) planning on making a 50s/60s tiki dress with it. I finally thought I had figured out how to make a little sarong-style drape (thanks, pinterest) and hacked up a pattern piece and pinned on my fabric and it was not what I was looking for and looked really boring! I had given up on my tiki dreams and was debating sheath vs. full skirt when all you lovely people chimed in with \”tiki! tiki!\”
All I needed was a little extra motivation to figure out that draping, and y\’all provided it. I\’m so glad you did–I persevered and I think the final product looks great.
I wore it to my friend\’s wedding in Minnesota (usually not a tiki paradise) but the weather all weekend was amazing: 80F (which is about 27C for international readers), sunny, and breezy. I lived in Minnesota ages 10-18 and I didn\’t love it but now, every time I visit I want to move back immediately. It\’s soooo nice there… in the summer. (For people who aren\’t familiar with the American Midwest, Minneapolis is pretty darn cold in the winter.)
My husband Alex was thrilled because the guy working at the car rental place agreed to give us a convertible for the weekend for only $10 extra a day and we cruised around in a red Camaro for the weekend. It was so great.
After all that, I didn\’t end up putting the bows on the shoulder or center front waist; it is at the top of my sarong where I wanted it in the first place. I do agree that it blends into the waist, and I really liked the shoulder bows, but I really thought it needed to go at the gathering!
However, I have taken all your opinions into account (which were I think unanimously in favor of shoulder bows!) so you can expect to see some other project with a shoulder bow detail in the future.
I love how it turned out, Allie! I'm happy you could make it happen as it was what you really wanted! You look fab!
This might be my favorite dress of yours! The fit is spot on, the A-line skirt is flattering, the proportions of the wrap front are really nice (the wrap adds interest without bulk) and the fabric is fun! I love how this turned out!
Thank you! That wedding dress bodice \”block\” is super handy. Colleen kept introducing me as \”she made this dress!!\” and coming from her that's such a compliment!
Thanks, Birgit! Even though I was very frustrated trying to make the little faux wrap, I think it was worth it in the end!
It turned out great! It's always fun when you have an idea in your head and you can finally figure out how to realize it. This fabric could be nothing less than a tiki dress, and you did it proud!
Gorgeous, well worth persevering with and the bow is definitely in the right place.
Ahhhhhhh, this is so pretty! I love it!
Oh this is such a lovely dress, I love how it turned out. I'm glad you persevered and figured out the skirt, it was definitely worth all that effort! x
So pretty! You look fabulous!
tropical flowers and corn (?) fields! what a mix! i don't think i offered any advice on this dress, but i really like how it turned out for you and the fabric and shape are so fabulous together, i love it!
Thank you!
Yes, you can tell I was in the Midwest since it's allllll corn everywhere 🙂
Thank you! I had a really lovely time at the wedding.
Thank you! The bow does get a little lost but it just had to go there 🙂
Thank you! I have zero draping skills but I persevered! haha
Thank you! I had a great time wearing it 🙂