Sewing

little black dress

I’m so excited to share this with you guys today! I finished it up Friday and meant to post over the weekend, but it was so beautiful out, I just couldn’t sit down at the computer (except to read blogs and ooogle at everything on pinterest of course).

                                                                     Source: anthropologie.com via Anna on Pinterest

A while back I had pinned a pretty little black dress from anthropology meaning to make something similar, had gotten the fabric and everything. What came out was slightly different, although I do think that it’ll get lots more use from me than the pinned one might have.

I loved the high neck and pretty trims on the inspiration dress, so that’s what I went for. I used my own pattern, just referencing some shirts I had to make the pattern pieces. And of course I did a little adjusting along the way, it felt kind of funny sitting at the sewing machine half dressed trying on the dress now and then. But it works.

[still need to add a hook/eye at the top!]

 I even put in an invisible zipper, a first on clothing for me, I usually just have used them for pillows, but the concept is pretty much the same.

I did fully line the dress with just some cheap broadcloth, and the main dress fabric is something synthetic (eek!), but it’s pretty and appropriate for the dress, just a simple pattern with a little bit of detail. The silhouette is pretty simple, just a couple bust darts to give it a little shape.

And I love the tiny crochet trim at the neckline and hem. It’s surprisingly comfortable and I think it’ll get a lot of use.

Even looks cute with a cardigan. And I really need to make the girls something similar, I just love the look layered with tights, very mod.

58 thoughts on “little black dress

  1. Sewing Mum says:

    Beautiful!

    I have not been brave enough to venture away from bought patterns when it comes to clothing yet, but I think this may just be the inspiration to go for it…

  2. Happy in red says:

    It’s adorable!! And the fabric is spot on. Really nice. You didn’t use a pattern? Weee!
    Esther.

  3. Sasha says:

    I love it!!!! It looks so comfortable!!! That is my favorite kind of dress =D You can wear it anywhere!!!

  4. Vicky says:

    wow. It so like your inspiration. well done.

  5. Jenny says:

    Make me one, puleeeeeeease! That is gorgeous on you! I love it, Anna! You’re all that and a bag of chips! 😉

  6. oh this is wonderful Anna! I love the little crochet trim too!

  7. Marisa says:

    Ha! I’ve done that, too—sitting at the machine, half-dressed, trying on the item after each adjustment. It IS funny.

    It worked fabulously for you! Gorgeous dress.

  8. Larissa says:

    Oh, I love it so! Whenever I see a successful example of someone sewing for themselves, it gives me hope. Ditto on the layering with tights. And what a pretty model.

  9. Krista says:

    The dress is so pretty! And you look fantastic in it. I especially love it with the cardigan. Oh, to be so stylish! 🙂

  10. Beautiful dress, gorgeous pictures. Congratulations!

  11. Adorable, I love it!!! That first picture is my favorite and I love it with the cardigan. Have you tried to belt it?

  12. Yes on the tights! Looks great that way.

  13. Wag Doll says:

    Oh your dress looks fab on you, well done (and love the tights) x

  14. Vanessa says:

    Beautiful Anna!

  15. gail says:

    you look beautiful! great dress! soooo impressed and amazed by people who can make things without patterns… 🙂

  16. Pretty dress, pretty lady 🙂 Love your hair in these pictures!

  17. Kerry says:

    Cute dress, the neck and hem trim details really make it work and I love your pics too, esp the first archway. I know what you mean- siting half dressed at the machine as you sew something and then try it on again- always hoping no one comes to the door whilst you are half dressed with pins everywhere!

  18. Very pretty. It’s so rewarding to make something that would have cost over $100 in the store. I love your boots and cardigan, too!

  19. Emily says:

    The dress is darling and you look gorgeous! 🙂 Pretty pictures too.

  20. dana says:

    cute! and I LOVE the pics of you. Is that your house? the archway is awesome!

  21. chris says:

    The fabric is perfect, you look amazing, and I love your house! What fun.

  22. Care says:

    It looks fantastic, Anna! And you look so beautiful in it! :o)

    (LOVE it with the boots!!!)

  23. Lesley says:

    Lovely! It looks amazing with the purple cardigan!

  24. You look great, Anna! What a cute little black dress:).

  25. Jeni says:

    Oh my goodness! It’s gorgeous, perfect for Fall! And you even drafted it yourself! Before we know it, you’re going to be selling clothing patterns! 🙂

  26. Katy Cameron says:

    Love your dress, and the inspiration it came from

  27. Carolyn says:

    It looks amazing on you! Color me impressed 🙂

  28. Mindy says:

    This looks so cool. I am impressed, that you tackled this project. You inspire me!

  29. Erin says:

    cute to BOOT!!! Love this. love love love it.

  30. kristin says:

    so cute, anna! that’s the kind of dress that will get tons of use. it looks great.

  31. Jessica says:

    whoa Anna, you look smokin.

  32. Miranda says:

    It looks great! Love it with the cardigan! I also wanted to let you know that I have awarded you the Versatile Blogger Award. You can check it out at my blog. Thanks for sharing all of your amazing things with all of us! http://www.thecraftbot.blogspot.com/

  33. QuiltyGirl says:

    So cute!
    And your entry way looks just like the entry way to our house in Illinois! 🙂

  34. toots2u says:

    Love it! Makes me want to be brave enough to sew something without a pattern.

  35. Jess says:

    Go, Anna! So pretty! You, and the dress. I love it with that cardi, too. Layering time is upon us, yay!

  36. sewtakeahike says:

    YOU!!! Anna, it’s so cute. I can’t get over how talented you are. And I think synthetic is a good thing for this dress to avoid wrinkles! It’s perfect!

  37. Nova says:

    gorgeousness! love your version the best! too clever miss anna x

  38. Very pretty! Love the fabric. It looks good on you too!

  39. Vanessa says:

    Love the dress!

    Vanessa

  40. Jessica says:

    love the look in the outfit and the subtle texture it has. what a great go-to dress. You’re hair is also getting so long! Mine is barely getting long enough for a little ratty pony tail.

    I’m also one that ends up sewing in my undies when I’m sewing something for myself and having to try it on as I attempt to make it fit right!

  41. Sarah R says:

    That’s really cute! I was shopping for a little black dress for a wedding this past spring. I never did find one. LOL. Great job!

  42. Gorgeous, Anna. And you look fantastic in it. I love the way it looks with the tights and the boots. Really pretty.

  43. This is seriously fantastic! And a great inspiration to hopefully not take 2 years to get back to my pre-baby weight after this next one arrives! You look gorgeous 🙂

  44. Mauri says:

    nice work! seriously.. I’m feeling like a big ol’ lazy bone over here every time I see your blog! 🙂
    Isn’t it fun using Anthro as inspiration? I drool over their site/catalog and wish for the time to create the same things their pics are home to. You actually did it- SuperWoman! 🙂
    oh- and the colorblock warhol dress you made is gorgeous- I love it!

  45. ayumills says:

    This is such a fabulous dress! I would make a lot of use of it too!

  46. by night says:

    It is gorgeous! and looks awesome on you! I bet you’ll wear it very very often 😉

  47. erica says:

    Love it Anna! Looks great on you :)my one goal for the summer was to make an article of clothing for myself. It didn’t happen. Perhaps I will extend that into the Fall…I would love a dress similar to this.

  48. hart44 says:

    Your dress is beautiful 🙂

  49. Lydia says:

    Wow! You look like one hot mama in these photos! What an amazing dress!! I am impressed!!!

  50. Sachiko says:

    I love the dress and you look stunning, Anna!! Love the tights & boots too. 🙂

  51. Pascale says:

    A great versatile little black dress!! I love the style with boots and tights – you look great!

  52. Krista says:

    That’s adorable, anna! Love it with the grey tights and brown boots, too. You could wear that anywhere!

  53. Leslie says:

    this is gorgeous…it looks so great with your boots!

  54. your dress is gorgeous and you look amazing in it. maybe i need to move into a clothing sewing phase so i don’t dress frumpy every day. or, maybe i’ll just watch you sew and wear the pretty stuff 🙂

  55. amandajean says:

    oh, Anna!!! i wish i could just whip up something so beautiful! i love that it is a sleeveless, but looks great with a cardigan. perfectly flexible. love love love that. did i mention, it looks DARN GOOD on you!

  56. Dahlia says:

    You look gorgeous! I hope you get/got to wear this on a hot date with Dan 🙂 Beautiful work Anna!

  57. Anonymous says:

    Fabulous, you look just like Amy Pond from Doctor Who!!

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