Meanwhile, what a super cute dress. I found this on Kollabora, just zipping along looking at projects. And ordered the PDF download right away (there is a version for girls as well). I can’t find a line art pic anywhere, so I’ll try to describe: the front bodice is two-piece, with a slight sweetheart seam below the neckline and a raised front curve. The back bodice has a dipped curve ending just around the waistline. And the dress has nice 3/4 length sleeves.
Incredibly for any pattern, this one comes in sizes XXS – XXL – but that is a little misleading 🙂 The associated bust range is 30″ – 39.5″. Whose bust – that of the dress, my bust? What size to use? A clue from Cali Faye: the model’s bust is 33.5″, and she is wearing a size Small, bust 31.5″. OK, I followed suit. My bust is 37.5″, so I drafted the size Large, bust 36″. And it worked – but I do wish pattern makers could be specific on this point.
(Before I forget, for reference, I’m 5’7 1/2″ and wear a size 14/40 just about all the time).
This mid-weight cotton/spandex from Girl Charlee (love, love) is a great weight for this dress. I only made two changes changes on this first version:
- Added an inch to the skirt length.
- Lowered the curve of the front bodice edge by 1″ at center front, cured out to the side seams. It would be great for a baby bump the other way, but IMHO, looks nicer a little lower.
I love this dress! While in JoAnn’s ages ago, I found a piece of camo cotton/lycra knit (and haven’t seen it since, in the store or online). And I’ve wanted to sew it ever since Angela of Collected Yarns made her camo maxi in August. Voila!
Coco's Loft 
Love Love the dresses!!!
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Those are all great dresses, and I like your new haircut too! I'm so glad you're feeling better, that sounds an awful ordeal. Take care 🙂
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Thank you so much, Donna!
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Summer, thanks so much!
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Hi Carole. And thank you for the diet tips. I'll take a look. I'm almost vegetarian, only eat a bit of turkey and chicken, don't really cook any more. Always looking for tasty ways to pick up my protein and minerals! I love love Indian food like chickpea curry!
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Hi Virginia. Well, I haven't eaten meat in years, I do eat turkey and chicken occasionally. Mostly I focus on a balanced diet, getting in my protein and minerals, keeping out cholesterol, empty carbs,and fats. I don't cook! I microwave or eat it raw…I used to cook, was actually a very good cook, but lost interest when the children left home, and I was travelling all the time for business. And you're right, scleroderma is no fun – but I'm learning to manage 🙂 I'll look at the paleo diet, it's always interesting to see what works for others. Thks!
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Thanks so much, Beverly! I think I've had 3 or 4 hairdo's in the time I've had the blog, and I like this one best too!
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Thanks so much and I do hope you are feeling better. And sewing!
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Linda, thanks so much for all the nice compliments. It feels so good to be back!
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Thank you, BeaJay. The whole thing was such a surprise. I've been so careful with my health because of other issues. Funny you mentioned my colour, I really was off-colour, almost yellow! Incredible. And I love my hair too, thank you for the compliment – it's super easy for me.
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Thanks so much, Cindy Ann. I'm better every single day.
I wore my hair short for years, but now it's super curly and so easy. Turned out to be a blessing that I cut it!
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Hi Val! and thank you. Feels so good to finally be back on my feet. Hope all is well with you…you look great!
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Thanks, Linda. I feel like a new person all over!
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Thanks, Sara. This bout was really something. The dresses are really nice. I made one more, sleeveless and mid-calf, for really hot weather and sandals, it's super cute as well. Will blog when it gets warmer here (we're actually cool right now).
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Thanks so much, Theresa. Feels wonderful.
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Ruth, thanks so much! It just feels good to be in a dress and not PJ's!
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Thank you, Mary. And I hope you are on the mend as well. That chest stuff takes so long to go away, hope you've been able to push it back.
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Thanks so much! I've always loved your hair, particularly the color. If only I were braver, I'd color mine red – but I don't have the beautiful skin for it as you do!
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It would be so much fun to wear our dresses together 🙂 Life does get full to overflowing…I hope you get that breather soon. I think of you so often and keep looking to see if you have posted. Hugs…
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Oh, Bunny, I do hope it stays in remission! I have chronic migraine disorder, so my neurologist has had me on meds for that for 5 years. The medication for the paroxysmal hemicrania worked after a few days, but, wow, it is awful and the medication that pushed it back is not gentle either! He did say it is likely to recur, and that it is rare. Thank goodness for good neurologists.
Hope you stay well, will be thinking of you.
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I am so glad you found an answer to your health issues. I have chronic paroxysmal hemicrania and know your pain. It hurts to put on makeup, I know. I can't imagine having it with the other health issues as well. They did check me and my B12 was fine. I am now on medication that is working wonderfully and it is in remission for the moment. It comes and goes. It is such a rare thing I just had to mention it as I don't know anyone who has ever had it and the neurologist told me it is quite rare as well.
Your dresses are darling. Love the shape of that waistline. Take care.
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Coco!! Your haircut is adorable, and I love the dresses. Even more, I love that your are on the mend. Good health to you my Florida friend.
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You have the bone structure to pull off that lovely haircut. So glad you're feeling better.
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Oh, I love your new dresses — if we ever get together in real life, we have to wear our camo dresses:) And I have to jump on the bandwagon and say I love your new haircut — you look gorgeous! I am happy to hear you figured out a solution, and it turned out to be relatively simple. My mom had so much leg pain/restless leg problems for 15 years or more (and was on a lot of horrible medications trying to find a solution), but the thing that ended up getting rid of 85% of it was taking Vitamin D and magnesium supplements.
On another note, I have been absent from the blog world for a while. Daily life, both good and bad, has been using up everything I've got this fall. I have to make it through the end of the year, and then hope to get a breather. I'm so glad you are feeling better!
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Glad to hear you're on the mend. You look sophisticated yet relaxed in your new dresses too. Enjoy!
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So glad you're better! It's amazing how problems like this that can easily be fixed can sometimes take so long to get diagnosed. I love the dresses, they look adorable! Nice and airy, they seem ideal for summer (taking note…).
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Love the hair and the dresses and especially that you are feeling better!
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Glad you are feeling better. Your hair style looks new to me and I really like it. These three dresses look comfy and cute!
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I was wondering how you were.. and I am glad you are feeling better! I like the new haircut and the cute dresses
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So glad that you have figured out what supplements help. Hope your health continues to improve. Terrific dresses and that haircut is very, very flattering!
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You poor thing. It is so horrible that the body rebels against itself. So glad to hear you are feeling better. You are certainly looking better – a happy smile and a good colour. I know that you had your hair cut due to your illness but let me say – that is THE cut for you. You look so sophisticated with that cut. Lovely.
Great dresses too. You have been hard at work.
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Love, love the dresses, the pattern and the new hair do! You are looking fabulous. So sorry you have been so sick. So happy to hear that the B12 has been the answer to your issues in this case.
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Your dresses are lovely and I'm glad for you that you are feeling better. I've a lot of time on the couch myself lately and likewise it meant so much to me to get back in the sewing room!!
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Glad you're feeling better. Those dresses are so cute! Love the new short haircut – it really suits you.
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Lovely dresses that suit your style and give you some comfort. How clever you were to figure out your B12 deficiency all on your own! I have a question exactly the opposite of Carole's–do you eat meat? I have some autoimmune issues and I am a big believer in the paleo diet, for what it's worth. Scleroderma is no fun at all. I had an aunt with it. Anyway, whatever your dietary practices, I'm so glad that the supplement form of B12 is so bioavailable.
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So sorry you have that nasty disease and associated trauma! I'm sure you are doing everything right to stay healthy, but may I suggest…if you haven't already…to look into Eat to Live, Forks Over Knives, and associated vegan/vegetarian diets?
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Love those dresses! Stay well!
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Wow, what an ordeal. Glad u r better.
And u made some cute dresses.
Stay well!
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