It has taken me the best part of a week to complete. I used a pattern I have from my collection; New Look 6577.

I discovered my thrifted pattern did not come with instructions, so I cut relevant pattern pieces, and winged it.
There was not enough samples to complete a full dress. I thought I might have to buy (thrift) some fabric to match the upholstery samples, but instead, used what I already had; a pale pink fabric for the back of my dress, a light blue fabric for lining (although in photos actually looks lilac), and a reclaimed zip. This is the first time I have fully lined a dress, completed by trial and (a few) errors.


When I first completed this dress, I had an awful big gape at the back of my neck. After googling for some advice, I'd either cut this dress pattern to the wrong size, have a narrow upper back, or both. I had to un-pick the zip, completely remove it, cut into the back (risky), and re-sew. Time consuming, but thankfully got it right the second time.
I used leftover cut away patches to sew a fabric flower, backed with eco-fi felt, and hair grips, so that I can either wear it in my hair, or on a band around my waist. I chose a white silk scarf to tie around my waist as a belt, as I felt it looked a little plain without anything.

22 comments:
neat idea
beautiful!!!
You are amazing Erica!! This is fab!! I must start sewing myself!! Hope all is well with you and yours? Best wishes Steph xx (Squires)
Steph - if only we lived closer :) thanks for commenting and reading my blog x
Isis and OrloSubito - thanks also
Smart little cookie you.Last time I did patchwork on a dress was for my now 27yr old when she was little.You did a great job on yours.
Very clever! Well done :)
That dress is divine! Love it!
Hi!
Im your follower!
I really really liked your blog!
Keep up the good work!
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Alia
wow I love it, it's so beautiful. The dress looks complicated to make with all the patches and lining, you amazed me with your skills. I hope some day my sewing skills can be as good:-)
love~mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com
This is awesome.
Love it! Congrats. I am not at all crafty but so admire it in others!
That is an absolutely awesome dress! I love it.
Love this, so pretty and cute. I'd never even thought of making a dress from upholstery samples, such a great idea and the samples are always in complimentary colours too.
your dress is gorgeous! And, not to worry about the season, you will get a heap of wear out of it in summer, for sure!
Sew clever. You need a granny spencer under to keep you warm.
here via craft gossip...
Gorgeous! I especially love the flower belt/hair piece.
Seeing this i'm promted to ask - did your samples have paper stuck to the back? I've recently picked up a similar book of sample fabrics (Robert Allen for Beacon Hill) and have been having dificulty removing the paper backing...
Thanks for all that have commented :)
@lozzalea glad you asked. Sometimes, depending on the fabric, I'd manage to rip off the sticky paper, but most of the time I would cut the paper off completely; not using the bottom part of each fabric sample - I wish I had a magic solution to get rid of the sticky paper bits!
The dress is AMAZING!
Your blog is,too!
I'm following :)
Follow back? :D
http://sofiehn.blogspot.com/
Sofie thanks for following, I have been to check out your blog also x
Just beautiful! Love this!!!
I love on how you made the dress from upholstery. This is really great and it could even be sold too.
This dress is amazing! I'm convinced that I need a patchwork dress now.
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