dress n kimono jacket completed

Been busy sewing a dress and wrap top...

Here is a delicate chiffon top and light denim dress all finished up.

The 2 garments came about super fast thanks to the patterns and instructions from my latest sewing book. I had dresses on my mind and was eager to make up a new outfit.

This book, by Wendy Mullin is all about dresses and aptly titled Built by Wendy - dresses, available to order online. 

Built by Wendy Dresses

The book come with three paper patterns, in different sizes, for the 3 basic dress styles plus tons of instructions for altering each style into hip, classy, or simple designs. It is great book if you are interested in designing your own dresses but lack experience or know-how with drafting and making changes to patterns.

Built by Wendy Dress - 3 Dress patterns

I chose to make the shift dress with short sleeves in a light blue cotton fabric. The only changes I made was 3 rows of pleats around the bottom seam to give the dress an interesting detail finishing.

I'm not a huge fan of chiffon, but this pale pink with gold pattern border was just shouting my name and I had barely enough fabric for a blouse, so this is what I came up with. Instead of facings, I stitched a wide gold ribbon along the neckline and front panels and used the same ribbon for the belt. Wow - how many short cuts did I use here!

Blue dress with wrap top

Latest sewing projects

I love this dress - it's just a shift dress. no panels or darts or pleats, but still stunning. it's a little short, but hey.

Every girl needs a pretty short dress.