19 April 2010 – A Pocket Full of Allergy Meds, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Dress: self-made from Target tank top and Heather Bailey fabric (tutorial coming soon)
- Belt: Old Navy
- Ruffled cardi: Ann Taylor
- Wedges: Naturalizers, via DSW
- Earrings: gift from husband
- Allergies: courtesy of spring
End Notes:
The best thing about floral print fabrics is that they don’t have pollen. Folks, I am enduring the worst allergy season I’ve ever had, and so even though I finished sewing this dress last week and planned to post it as my weekly floral venture…blogging did not happen.
I have been loving the tank+skirt dresses that have been appearing this spring, but between my height and my long torso-ness, off the rack dresses were predictably too short in length or too abbreviated in torso. I figured that sewing one couldn’t be too hard, and the added bonus was that I got to pick my own floral fabric (this fun little number is “Nicey Jane Picnic Bouquet” print from Heather Bailey.) I’ll have a tutorial up shortly, but suffice to say, this was really quite easy to make, even for a touch-and-go sewer like me.
And it has POCKETS. Who doesn’t love a skirt or dress with little hidden pockets? All the more places to stuff tissues and allergy medicine, right?
I vacillated for a little while over whether or not I wanted to make a faux-two piece dress. After all, I wondered, wouldn’t it be more practical to just make a skirt that can be more easily mixed and matched? And, this isn’t the least bit nursing friendly.
But…seriously, how wonderful to throw on just one piece. Also, this was darn easy to sew and I didn’t have to worry about elastic casings or zippers. Also, I never have to worry about becoming untucked every time I sit down or when I’m on my bike. And, as baby e. grows older and nurses less, it’s sometimes nice to wear something that’s just fun and not dictated by practicality. So maybe I’m rationalizing, but I’ve already found it to be surprisingly versatile in styling potential. You’ll be seeing more of this dress, I’m sure.
Now excuse me while I go chug a quart of water and blow my nose…
I too love the tang dress look but all the dresses I have tried on are far too short for me. I like this idea of sewing one for myself and I can’t wait for the tutorial. Plus I love the pockets!
I love the dress! :) can’t wait for the tutorial!
You did a great job, I am so stoked about the tutorial!
I can’t wait to see the tutorial, because I am having the exact same issues with the tank+skirt dresses currently in stores.
The dress looks amazing! I love the colors in the fabric you chose for the bottom half. I can’t wait to see a tutorial.
I get allergies too, although so far they haven’t kicked in for me yet. I had heard somewhere that eating local honey can help – perhaps it might be worth a shot? (I am definitely going to try it if they start bugging me!)
I love it with the cardigan!
Wow! I’m in awe and can hardly wait for the tutorial.
I love this! I always look at those dresses at the store and think they are cute but convince myself not to buy one because they would be way easy to make. Not that I have made one yet, but now I can.
Super cute! I can’t wait for the tutorial. I’m particularly excited about the extremely useful pockets.
Everyone I know who has allergies is complaining about the same thing you are. I don’t know if it helps to know it, but at least you’re not alone?
Excellent idea!
I’ve tried several of those dresses on and they have issues when you aren’t the same size on both ends. I too will be looking forward to the how-to.
I hear you on the allergies. I’m the one at the pharmacy pulling out my ID and getting the real Sudafed-stuff.
Your tutorial might make me bring out that swing machine I haven’t used in years. This is the cutest dress and if it is that easy, I’ll be all over it!
Sorry to hear about your allergies.
SO cute! I love your ruffly cardi with that.
Such a cute idea!
I know this probably wouldn’t apply to many here but I would love a dressing for nursing post! Nursing my babe is wonderful but seems to really hamper my style choices. I feel like I cannot wear dresses at all this summer.
The dress is great. I have tried on many similar dresses but they are often in the juniors section and they are way too short. You created the more grown up version and I really like how well it works when paired with the cardigan.
I’m so impressed that you made this dress! I love the colors! I feel your pain–this is a horrible allergy season for me too!
Great dress, E.! My sister and I were planning to sew us tank&skirt dresses this weekend! The tutorial will come in handy, thanks in advance!
I hope you get better, I know the feeling :)
Love the dress. And thanks for directing me to the fabric. I’ve spent too much time today drooling over the beautiful prints and colors.
Wow, what a great creation! Looks just like something I was eyeing at Modcloth. *Loves*!
Love this dress–especially with that belt. You may prompt me to haul out my sewing machine for the first time in two years.
After moving halfway across the country and developing allergies to the new pollen, I suffered for three years before I discovered the local honey cure which I have now been using for three more allergy-free years. :) From what I’ve heard, you need to start the honey about six weeks before the allergies usually begin, and the honey needs to be as local as possible. Not that this helps for this year; I’m sorry you’re feeling so awful!
First the allergies, then the dress:
1) How much honey do the local honey proponents take?
2) What I really like is the color combination – the unexpected shoes are wonderful!
This is such a cute outfit — I love everything about that skirt, and I love your ruffly sweater.
I hope you feel better. I can relate — my allergies are pretty bad here too. I’m hoping there will be lots of rain soon to wipe all the nasty pollen away!
So Cute. I’ve seen these dresses on another blog, but your pockets are what did it for me. I bought one of these dresses (found one not too short), but the tank is quite low so I have to wear something under it. I’m looking forward to your tutorial. Then I’ll make one that FITS!
I agree with the commenter further up about the issues of having a useful wardrobe for nursing. I enjoyed reading the discussion you had earlier about the pregnant body. But the nursing body has its own set of issues that I think are actually more dicey than a pregnant belly- how to dress so your child can have access to a body part that is seen as private and erotic to the public. This gets very tricky when trying to nurse in public (especially if, like me, your babe won’t take a bottle). Modesty and access compete and style really just flies out the door!
Thus ends my stream of consciousness response to nursing! Hope you feel better soon and I love the dress!
You have been looking really good lately. First, I thought it must be your hair. But now I’m not so sure. Anyway, whatever it is, you look good and that dress is really cute. Looking forward to the tutorial.
I’m sorry your allergies have been so bad lately, but I’m totally blown away by that dress! I LOVE it!
I love this dress! I’m having the same fit issues with this type of dress, so I’m really looking forward to the tutorial.
I’d also like to second a post on dressing while nursing. I think that not being able to easily wear dresses (and still nurse or pump) is my least favorite part of nursing.
You look great!
I can’t wait to see the tutorial for this! It’s sooo cute, though it’s a shame I don’t really know how to sew. I need to learn so I can do cool things like this.
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Oh you are a genius. Love love the colors and the fact that it’s a faux tank+skirt. LOVE IT. Cannot wait for the tutorial :)
Everyone I know is sneezing too. It’s bad!
Looking forward to the tutorial, and also really interested in this nursing post we’ve all decided you’re doing.
really pretty outfit, the pattern is gorgeous!
Can’t wait for the tutorial! I spotted a really cute tank dress the other day but didn’t quite like the top and was like, I could totally make this myself if i had a little guidance. Can’t wait to see how you did it!
[...] long last, I present a tutorial for the tank dress I made a few weeks ago before the end of the semester blindsided me. I’ve been seeing these [...]