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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Shabby Apple Knock-off

I just love the dresses at ShabbyApple.com. I am sure most of you know about them.  When I saw this dress I fell in love!
Photo from shabbyapple.com

However, I just cant justify spending almost $100 on a dress that will probably only get worn a couple of times a year. I just kept drooling over it though and finally thought. Hey! I bet I can make my own for much cheaper. I started off looking at patterns and found one I liked from McCalls. Its pattern #M4769. Now having sewn this supposedly simple pattern I can say that its a pain in the rear to do the collar, and there is a lot of hand sewing.. like the entire bottom hem and lots more, including all the buttons.  You may want to look for a better pattern if you make this. The instructions are poorly written and the illustrations are not much help when it comes to the collar. If any one wants this pattern. I will send it to you. No joke. I am done with it.
After I found a pattern I (thought I) liked I searched for the fabric. I couldnt find it locally, and so I Googled a lot. I finally found what I was looking for on Ebay. I wanted the navy gingham, but it needed to be a one inch check to look like the inspiration dress. Almost everything I found was under 1/2 inch, or not the right blue. The fabric I got is still a little lighter blue than I wanted, but it works.
Next up was the shoes. I did a quick search and found some super cute ones at Payless. Sorry to say they no longer have them. The only thing is they are red with white dots, but I think it works.
So now after weeks and weeks of putting it off, and 2 solid days of sewing, here is my dress!

OK. I know. I am about 12 sizes bigger than the Shabby Apple model and probably 10 inches shorter, but I just LOVE my dress! I was rushing to finish sewing it up so I could post, but I need to make some adjustments. Its a little too big up top :(
I dont really know if I like the shoes with it. I think I like these white ones better. I really want a less vibrant read sash too, and maybe one made out of satin. This was all I could find at my Hobby Lobby. 
Here I am inside with white shoes and the sash tied in back. Not a very good backdrop. I wish it were like the Shabby Apple dress pic with a sea in the background instead of a sea of books. 
oop. my slip is showing eek!
I bought some red tule last week because I want a red petticoat. I think it may look cute under this dress too! I'll have to get to sewing on it soon. 

The nice thing is it only cost me less than $20 to make the dress.
Thanks for dropping by.

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8 comments:

  1. Excellent job! I want one too!!!! The red shoes are hot and the whole thing is fabulous! Nice work!

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  2. I was in love with the SA dress too and yours is fantastic.

    Oh, and the red shoes with white polka dots are a bit "LIKE". :)

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  3. So cute--you look great! Nice job :)

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  4. You look hot! Work it Girl! Great job and I love the price. Definitely go with the ren shoes.

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  5. Cutecutecute!! And the RED shoes are fabulous with the dress!

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  6. Don't be afraid of the red shoes--they're great with the dress. White ones just too ordinary. Nice job and it looks great on you!

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  7. You look fabulous! nice job job on the dress

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