Off the Shoulder Seersucker Ruffle Midi Dress

Hello!

I am so excited to post this DIY dress! I have been craving (and inspired by) so many ruffle, off the shoulder, midi dresses from all over the internet (AKA Instagram). I knew the ruffle affect wasn't hard to do so I ordered some blue and white seersucker fabric (here- from Fabric.com). Blue and white is always a alwaysss a weakness of mine for summer and I just can't stop with it! But how cute is this lobster one?? Perfect for sailing or backyard seafood cookout. Yum.

I ordered with this dress in mind. It just screams summer, right? Its flowy and effortless; perfect for the beach then to dinner, right??

Let's make it! It's not as hard as it looks!

You will need:
2 yards fabric (I used this one)
Elastic band (one length of waist, one the length of around the shoulders, one for chest without arms)
Matching thread
Sewing machine

I used a strapless maxi dress as a template - it had a similar cinched waist that I was mimicking.

1. Measure your chest and x 1.5 : that will be the width of your fabric. Times that by 2 and fold it in the middle. Lay down your example dress (Or measure with a tape where you want your waist to be cinched) and mark the "waist. Also mark the length of the dress (not including the bottom ruffle). I wanted that to go to about my knee.

2. Measure your waist with the elastic: (pull it around snugly: not too tight but taunt) at your desired waist. To sew it onto your marked waist: first, start a small section at the beginning to attach the elastic to the fabric then continue sewing while pulling the the elastic tightly. This will create the gathered look. (CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK YOUR NEEDLE! Don't rush this)

I used a zig-zag stitch for better hold. 

3. Pin the sides and sew down the line. This is the back of your dress.

4. Measure your chest area. Fold the top of the dress over for the width of your elastic. Sew this closed leaving 2 inches open to thread your elastic through. I use a saftey pin. Sew the elastic together to create your chest.

This is what you have now: 

5. Measure your bottom ruffle. 64 inches long strip, about 10 inches wide. Sew a basting stitch along the top- making sure to back stitch on one side to hold the thread from sliding off and losing your ruffle. Gently pull on one of the two threads and it will create a gather. Gather it the exact size of your opening of your skirt. Sew down the edge to make into a circle/loop.

6. Hem the bottom of the circle ruffle piece, which will be the bottom of your dress.

7. Turn the dress right side out and the ruffle inside out and slide the ruffle piece around the bottom of the dress. Pin the ruffle around the bottom of the dress, so the seam is inside the dress, not on the outside of the dress. (My ruffle attachment looks much longer here because I cut it shorter after trying it on)

8. Repeat this exact ruffle step but with a smaller width piece of fabric (around 8-9 inches in width). You don't want it to be wider to cover up your waistline. Make a hem slot for the elastic around the top- pull through an elastic (the length of your elastic should be the width of your shoulders and chest- Measure around like an off-the-shoulder top).

9. To attach this top ruffle to your dress, I sewed it in 4 places. You can sew all the way across the front and all along the back (making sure to leave the arm holes) but I found this secured it without too many extra stitches in the front. Leave space for your arms on both sides!

10. Make a drawstring- This step is optional but I think it adds a little something different to the dress.
Cut one 2 inch strip of about 58 inches long. Fold in half two times and then sew along the edge. You can iron this and then sew or you can do it while sewing.

11. Find the half point and sew this to middle of your dress, as shown below! This can then be tied around your neck or just as a bow in the front.

DONE! Yay! Now go forth and enjoy SUMMER! :)

This can also be worn as a strapless! Simply take out your arms from the holes! Warning- it's not super snug this way so be careful :)

Let me know if you have any questions! I hope this inspires you to make something new for yourself for summer.

Have a great week!

With love,

Viktoria

Straw Bag Remake

Hello hello!

The basket/ratten/wicker bag trend is everywhere right now! I love it and want one in every shape!

I'm sure that is the reason that when the handles on this thrifted basket/beach bag ripped, it went from being placed into the trash pile to immediately placing it into the refashion pile. I am so pathetic. Even when I throw something away, I take it out of the trash. Haha!

The truth is, the straw handles rubbed uncomfortably into my shoulders when the bag was overfilled - which, as you mama's know, it is ALWAYS overfilled. The idea to make leather straps in place of the straw ones only came into mind when they conveniently ripped.

You do not have to wait for that moment to happen to you! You can carefully cut yours off and remake them- It's so easy! Here's what you will need:

Leather - I bought a decent piece in the "scraps" leather section of our local fabric store
Leather hole puncher -Michaels
Screw Posts (Brackets) - Hobby Lobby

Cut two strips of leather, about 3 inches thick, 30 inches long. Loop through exsisting slots or wider if you prefer. The good news- with a basket weave, you have many hole options. Make sure to leave enough room/lip on top to support your handles.

Using the leather hole maker, punch a few holes until you have the size you need for your brackets. 

Push the bottom piece through and screw on the end. 

Repeat to other 3 areas. :) Make the handles the way you would normally hold a bag, one side with one side. 

Wear to your next beach getaway. Or to a picnic. Or to your Monday grocery store shopping :)

 

 

Even helpful for carrying sticks :)

It's also great for holding peonies from your garden that you cant stop obsessing over. Please forgive me for the flood of images you will see. I. Cant. Stop. 

 (My sweet girl BTS, hand modeling for me)

What were we talking about again? Oh, right, the bag ;)

I love love the way it turned out and the leather is so soft and flexible on my shoulder.. No longer will my husband complain about me over packing it. well, not right away at least. :)

We took these pictures on Mother's Day and the day was refreshing and satisfying. I feel truly so blessed to be a mother and it's nice to soak in those reminders that it is a GIFT to bear that title. To hear the stories about how fast time really does fly. Take a moment and breathe in the present, dear readers! Rejoice in the now, in the place you are at. It won't always be like this. (Totally going country song on you)

My dress is from here! This is a similar one shoulder look. And love this striped dress too! This one is sitting pretty in my cart waiting for a sale :/

Have a wonderful week! Thank you for reading!

With Love,

Viktoria