enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Dress4

Sometimes I see stuff on Pinterest and I re-pin and sigh, "someday." Other times I pin something and immediately shut my computer and head to the fabric/craft store. This dress (pinned here and original source/tutorial here) was one of the latter.

But the result was somehow hilarious and I was wildly entertained on Sunday afternoon as I sewed, tried on and tried to take pictures of this dress. Problem #1 is that I used the wrong fabric. I ended up with a polyester blend that I think is a little too thick and absolutely too static-y. If I did this again, I would look for a better quality fabric than my $3/yard score.

Problem #2 was during the first try-on, I looked like a melting statue of liberty. No joke, I thought to myself, "at least I have my next Halloween costume." Problem #3 was that before I cut the neck v a bit deeper it looked exactly like I was wearing Paul's scrubs.

How did I miss that this color was the exact color of the statue of liberty and scrubs until I was wearing it?

Dress

But a bit of re-trimming, a belt and a gray cardigan ("put a cardigan on it" is the new "put a bird on it.") helped pull it all together. Although even then, I still had to figure out how to photograph it so I could blog about it and it could count for my 26 projects. (Reason #865 why I am excited to have Paul home is to get my reluctant photographer back.)

Dress3

Anyway. The photos above are the best I could get. YES, those are the best. Out of I don't want to tell you how many. But the one below is my favorite. Out of focus and awkward, of course, but I was laughing when I took it and I smile when I see it.

Dress2

And so, long story, long, another project complete! As mentioned, if I did this again (and I probably will) I would use legit jersey fabric and probably not "ode-to-lady-libery-teal". I followed the tutorial exactly, except I cut my fabric down a bit so instead of it being 30" wide when I sewed it was about 26 inches.

Dottedline

26projectslogosmallThis is project 22 of 26.

I am attempting to tackle 26 personal craft projects before I turn 27 on 02.22.12. You can follow my progress here on the blog or on pinterest.

See project 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,  20 & 21.

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33 responses to “project 22 of 26 : another attempt at maxi dress.”

  1. sarah @ sarah learns Avatar

    i love it! 🙂 and at least you have all those mirrors in your apartment for self-photographs!

    Like

  2. Rose Avatar

    This is quite lovely. The cardigan and belt really do take away from that scrubs/statue look (though I’m not sure I would have noticed that originally). Nice work!

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  3. Cecilia Madden Avatar

    oh i think it looks great, the way you’ve styled it!

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  4. Kelly Cree Avatar
    Kelly Cree

    It’s AWESOME! You totally have to wear it. Cardigan looks great and….you now have a halloween costume as well. Go buy more fabric and make a “crown”, spray paint a book and a torch gold and you are all set. Paul can be Uncle Sam.
    Love watching you create.

    Like

  5. Kellie Avatar

    insanely cute!!! you might be the only lady to turn a “lady liberty” and “scrubs” look into something fabulous.

    Like

  6. Michelle Avatar

    You crack me UP!! I think if anyone can pull off the scrubs/lady liberty gone fashionista look, its you. Looks really cute with the belt and cardigan. The fact that it’s also a potential Halloween costume? #pinning (the new #winning)

    Like

  7. Marcie L Avatar
    Marcie L

    Great post, gave me a giggle this morning at work, especially your “out of focus” laughing photo. Nicely done!!!

    Like

  8. noomiy Avatar

    my goodness! Love that dress!!

    Like

  9. krugthethinker Avatar

    I don’t know what I love more, the dress or how much fun you had with it! I like the Lady Liberty teal!

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  10. Paula Avatar

    I think this looks great! I’m super small and maxi dresses are completely lost onme, I always look like it’s 5 sizes too big. but looks good on you! have a great rest of the week 🙂

    Like

  11. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    And yet, you still manage to look amazing. Some people have the magic.

    Like

  12. Funnelcloud Rachel Avatar

    And you totally pulled it off – love it!
    Also, you need a tripod (or just a bookshelf) and a remote for your camera (they’re like $20) for self portraits! The self-timer works, too, but the remote is totally worth it!

    Like

  13. Marian Avatar

    Looks great! I definitely like how you paired it with a cardigan.

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  14. Annelise Kliewer Avatar

    it looks great!! maybe you were drawn to the color b/c it subconsciously reminded you of your hubby in scrubs. or it was just a good deal 😉

    Like

  15. jennifer Avatar
    jennifer

    hysterical – love the #1, 2, 3!
    it still looks great…..
    🙂

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  16. elise blaha Avatar

    I do need a remote! That would be so helpful.

    Like

  17. oh shoot Avatar

    I think it looks great! and the last photo makes me smile 😉

    Like

  18. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Pretty dress but it’s see through! You can see your undies!!

    Like

  19. elise blaha Avatar

    I will be sure to slip a slip under it when I wear it outdoors. 🙂

    Like

  20. Ashley Brimeyer Avatar

    Looks wonderful! Great job, Elise!

    Like

  21. Whitney Avatar

    Ok I’m cracking up- I tried this same tutorial over the summer and my dress royally sucked! I used black jersey, which in Texas is not a fabric you want to wear as a maxi dress in the summer! I ended up cutting it off and making it shorter, but pretty sure I only wore it once. Will have to try again!

    Like

  22. Anna Avatar

    You look adorable, well done!
    XO

    Like

  23. angela ezzell Avatar

    You’re so cute. I love that you can laugh at yourself. Project #27 can be making your torch!

    Like

  24. Amanda Avatar

    This post saw me laughing and being amazed. You are so talented! And funny! A great combo.

    Like

  25. Robyn :) Avatar
    Robyn :)

    I absolutely love the color and style and it looks great on you!!

    Like

  26. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    I like it. and I’d love to see another one…

    Like

  27. Yael Avatar

    super cute! i like it :).

    Like

  28. sarah Avatar

    My husband just walked by and said “looks like the statue of liberty!” hahahaha. I was trying to take photos of myself today, too, and I realized my camera remote has dead batteries. I agree – they’re cheap, you should get one. 🙂 (OMG – laughing at the undies comment. I so did not notice!)

    Like

  29. fafuna Avatar

    Wow! It’s lovely and I SO can’t wait to make one myself!! Thank you so much for sharing, I’m feeling so inspired now 🙂

    Like

  30. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    I think you can pull off just about anything. On me I would look like an old lady who was trying to look hip but failed.

    Like

  31. Hello Cupcake LLC Avatar

    I’ve totally been here. I made a dress that can only be described as “hospital gown blue” color. How did I miss this when buying fabric!? It has yet to make an appearance outside of the house…..

    Like

  32. Jess Lonett Avatar

    i think there’s great potential for this. you should try to find a rad pattern 🙂

    Like

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