Deer and Doe Plantain Swing Dress

When I first saw the Plantain top by Deer and Doe I thought it would easily convert into a dress. So I looked around at a few of my favorite stores and found a some dresses for inspiration. The first one I decided to try was this swing dress from Anthropologie. I mean how cute it this?

And when I did a close-up from the fabric and saw that it was herringbone I was sold! I had a black and white herringbone in my stash, that was meant for a cardigan, but I haven't been able to find a cardi pattern that I like so a cute dress is just perfect!

I searched around and found a basic tutorial on how to create a swing/trapeze style dress from Cotton and Curls. Seemed easy enough!  I cut out the plantain top pattern and then taped it to a larger sheet of paper and then just under the bust I flared out a few inches and lengthened the pattern. I made a quick muslin, made a few adjustments then cut into my fabric! Its definitely not perfect and there are a few things I would change next time, but overall I'm very happy with it!  I also lengthened the sleeves and I love this length.

I had one more idea for a dress version of this top...we will see if I get around to it! I do have a different project in mind that may take awhile and I'm excited to start!

Oh, and I took close to

1,000 pictures of me and this dress! I'm still getting used to my husbands camera. I tried multiple places in the yard, times of day, but I'm limited on when I can take them because of the kids. So they aren't perfect but I was pretty tired of smiling and posing so these are good enough!

Plantain Top // Deer and Doe

I've decided to take a little break sewing clothes for the kids. For now, they have enough clothes and I don't want to have a bunch of things hanging in the closet that never get worn. There are a few things I still need to finish up but they are practical. Some pants, hooded sweatshirt, and a doll/bear carrier for Miette. So I'll definitely still be sewing but on my list is a dress for myself as well as some cigarette pants. And finally working on a button down shirt for Brian!

This is my second Plantain top by Deer and Doe. The first one was such a great fit that I had to make another! The problem with using my stash is that most of my fabric was purchased with the kids in mind. So when I picked up this black ponte knit in the remnant section of JoAnns, I wasn't planning to sew something for myself. But I knew that it would be the perfect fabric for this top. Turns out, it is. I love how thick and substantial it is and it looks a bit more dressy. Since it was just under a yard of fabric, I had to do some piecing together and I ran out of fabric for the sleeves.

I sewed the same size: 38 in the bust, graded to 40 in the waist and the longest length. Since this fabric doesn't stretch as much I used a 1/4 seam allowance and it worked great! The solid black knit I used for the sleeves was from an old shirt so there wasn't much length so I cut it to hit just above my elbow. It is really thin so instead of a hem I used a narrow cuff and its perfect.

Baby girl wanted in on the picture taking. Love her!

And yes, I have one more version in the works!

Deer and Doe Plantain Tshirt // Sewing for Me

This year I have decided that I'm going to make more of an effort to sew for myself and my husband. I'm starting off the year pretty good! This is the second top I have sewn and I love it! The Plantain is a free pattern from Deer and Doe. It's my first time sewing with one of their patterns and it was great. The instructions are easy to follow and I just love the fit. Funny thing, it doesn't feel tight at all but it looks a little snug in these pictures.  I think I'll go up a size for the next one and see how that fits.

I cut out a size 38 for the top then graded to a 40 in the waist and hips and used the longest length.  I was dying to use this floral knit but I didn't have enough so I decided to mix it with a gray knit. The gray kit with white dots is actually from a thrifted dress so that's why there is a seam in the back. Matching different patterns is definitely out of my comfort zone but I really like how it turned out. It's comfortable, the perfect length and in my favorite colors. Too bad the weather is going to be in the 80s this week, I was looking forward to wearing my new top!

 And my first article of clothing with elbow patches. The perfect placement and size.

I'm off to search my fabric stash to see what I have so I can make a short sleeve one!

Winter Wonderland in California // PRAP Week 1

Winter Wonderland. Well, in Southern California this year our winter has been wonderful with temperatures in the 70s. I would love a little rain but its pleasantly crisp in the morning and evening and just perfect during the day.

So my Winter Wonderland clothing this year is short sleeves and a skirt. But the combination of gold, stars, and blue remind me of a lovely scene of dark skies, starry nights, a dusting of snow and a little sparkle with some twinkly lights. And the white flowers in the grass could be a little sprinkle of snow, yes?

Outfit Details
Skirt: Lazy Days Skirt by Oliver and S. Gold taffeta underskirt and a dark blue fabric with gold dots.
Top: Sweet Bonnie Top by Shwin Designs. Main is a mustard with gold dots, collar is from a vintage napkin and has blue piping. The zipper is also a navy blue.
Shoes: I just happened to find these on Zulily after I planned the outfit in my head. They are the perfect match and just fabulous for my active girl!

She fell in love with both the skirt and top and was more than happy to wear them and run around at the park. That made me happy!