Do any of y'all remember the popsicle fabric I bought off eBay, way back in December 2005? Well, I hardly remembered it either, until I was in the sewing room this past weekend looking for something else, and then I remembered that last fall I had started to make a dress out of it.
I say "started", because, in a true triumph of hope over experience, I put it together in September. This happens to me a lot. It's early September, it's still in the high seventies, degree-wise, and I think, "Oh, sure, I'll make one last summer dress and wear it for a few weeks before I break out the sweaters." No. I usually get it right to this stage (the dress above is missing the side zipper and the hem isn't finished) and then, BOOM! The temperature drops to 50, I have absolutely no interest in popsicles, either to eat or to wear, and the poor dress has to live in purgatory all winter long.
I figure round about March I'll feel like finishing this up. Here's a close-up of the bodice:
I'm very pleased, though, that this dress has all the colors I said I was going to concentrate on this summer: yellow, blue, green, and orange. If I really stick to that plan, maybe I can even justify buying these shoes, in blue ...
I am impressed by how smoothly the bias binding is applied and that you added yellow piping with the bias binding at the neckline.Amy
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/30/2007 at 08:04 AM
oooo, love the dress. Any hopes for some left-over fabric for a belt...with a covered buckle? Hmmm? And, of course, you can always justify the shoes. I mean, you saved so much on the dress, right?(at least, that is my favorite justification for the shoes...)
Posted by: twollin | 01/30/2007 at 08:15 AM
Ohhh...want. Want. So pretty!On a more verbal level, Erin, what's the pattern number for this dress? I imagine that it'd be easy, but if I'm going to try something like this, I'd like to reduce the error margin.Thanks!
Posted by: Jenn | 01/30/2007 at 08:18 AM
Definitely finish this one - so you'll have something to wear with those great shoes you deserve!
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/30/2007 at 08:22 AM
1. Yes, pattern number please, because I want to make one of these, as well.2. It's just me, but I'd go for the green version of the shoes... I know you have blue piping and all, but on my monitor the greens are a better matchy, without being all matchy.3.Yeah. There was a three, when I started. Not so much now. Sorry.
Posted by: Miz Shoes | 01/30/2007 at 08:38 AM
Really like that dress and it just says "SUMMER" doesn't it. And the shoes do look like they would just finish off the dress.
Posted by: Debby | 01/30/2007 at 08:54 AM
You're on a roll! February's Show and Tell is starting early...Very nice work, the fabric is not "me", but I love the work and design - very impressive!
Posted by: Henriette | 01/30/2007 at 08:54 AM
YOU ARE KILLING ME!I love, love, love that dress. I don't remember the fabric and I think I squealed when the dress popped up as today's entry. I want that dress. Holly
Posted by: lucitebox | 01/30/2007 at 09:01 AM
What a great dress you'll have next summer! And I love, LOVE those shoes.
Posted by: Isabelle | 01/30/2007 at 09:14 AM
Oh my...that's darling.
Posted by: Anna | 01/30/2007 at 09:22 AM
Fab dress. I'm glad I'm not the only one with half-sewn seasonal projects.I also vote for the green shoes.
Posted by: sara jane | 01/30/2007 at 09:27 AM
i just squealed out loud when i went to that shoe websiteamanda.
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/30/2007 at 10:55 AM
Oh, that IS adorable, and it looks so easy to wear! Hey, why not have a movie star moment and get a pair of those shoes in every color?
Posted by: Gidget Bananas | 01/30/2007 at 11:22 AM
Love the dress; love the shoes. Why aren't they making beautiful shoes like that these days? The only way to have a confidant walk is to wear shoes that will walk with you, support you, be part of the process. The current fashion favorite, Slides (I imagine cheap and easy to produce) will not do that. Now, if they had those lovely shoes in wide widths, or in pre-Free Trade Agreement sizing, I would be a customer for life. I love the Babydoll pumps. You
Posted by: patsijean | 01/30/2007 at 12:06 PM
Great dress! I love the trim and the sleeve shape. I am ending up with a lot of turquoisey-blue things lately too...but I also am weak for that color green, so I too vote for the green shoes, or preferably one in each color (pink/red/orange combo is also GREAT - not so great next to my face, all the more reason to get the shoes!)I think it would be a public service if you got those shoes and reviewed them for us (also just your fabulousness in them, with that dress, would be a public service). I love the Re-mix styles but have heard mixed reviews on the comfort (my friend has a pair that she loves, and she's vegan - they're her only leather shoes, a big splurge). My favorite new shoes are Miz Mooz, and there's a really cute mary jane style - in light green! - on sale on the infinity shoes website. I just keep waiting for them to go a bit more on sale...
Posted by: nora | 01/30/2007 at 01:19 PM
De-lurking... I really like your blog. I am a dress fan myself, and working on increasing my dress wardrobe almost as I type. Today's dress is just too cute - so fun for summer!! And as many have already said, those shoes are fantastic!! I'm going to have to turn on the charm big-time and see if my hubby won't let me get the turquoise ones...
Posted by: Shannon | 01/30/2007 at 01:19 PM
The popsicles are too cute, I would get the shoes in every color just to be prepared. You never know, and those are going to be your colors for the summer...
Posted by: Lisette | 01/30/2007 at 01:31 PM
Yes! If you do buy them, review the shoes for us. I have heard mixed reviews on Re-mix shoes, too. I would love to know how they work for a working mom who probably does a fair amount of walking in Chicago. Every color? Wouldn't that be AWESOME! If I liked the fit, I would even if I couldn't afford to do it!Holly
Posted by: lucitebox | 01/30/2007 at 01:47 PM
It's adorable! It's the definite summer dress, I wish it was mine... :)/Nanna
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/30/2007 at 02:02 PM
oh yes, pattern number Please!!
Posted by: Kristen | 01/30/2007 at 03:34 PM
What a fabulous novelty print. I love the colors of the popsicles, but the line drawings of the ice cream carts really steal my heart. The trimming is just perfect.This is my first post after much lurking. Erin, I love your blog! Thank you for sharing all these beautiful dresses.
Posted by: samsara | 01/30/2007 at 04:32 PM
Aw, you guys are all so nice!I'll see if I can't dig up the pattern number ... I vaguely remember doing the top from one pattern and the skirt from another, and the bias binding was because I hate doing facings!
Posted by: Erin | 01/30/2007 at 04:41 PM
Love this dress, it does speak so mcuh of summer and I wish it was here already. But I got to say I love, love, love the shoes!
Posted by: Linda | 01/30/2007 at 06:41 PM
I really like the neckline. What a great idea. You cold wear one blue show and one green shoe.
Posted by: Sherry | 01/30/2007 at 06:44 PM
I hate to be redundant so I'll recap in brief: shoes-good, dress-better, DAD-the best part of my daily surf. Thank you!
Posted by: Rebecca | 01/30/2007 at 07:10 PM