Ruffly Neck Inspiration

Twice last week and yesterday we went to the outlets. (Don't judge me.) Actually, Joe and I went with the children one day when he had an extended holiday weekend. And then I just happened to be close (okay, not really) when I bought my dishes last week, so I went again. And then I had something to return that didn't fit, so my friend and I took the kids and went back yesterday.

When I passed the J Crew store, I couldn't help but fall in love with the window display. I loved the ruffly neck on this shirt. I kept thinking about the shirt. (And thinking about it ... And thinking about it ...) Not that I wanted to buy it, but that I should make something like it.

So, a ruffly dress for Spenser it became.

I used a thrifted sheet from last week's productive thrifting and made a "practice" one. I love it. She loves it. And she looks adorable in it. I just didn't get her photo on Sunday when she wore it to church.

For the ruffle I cut a strip of fabric two inches wide and twice the length of the neck opening. Then I used the rolled hem feature on my serger and went along all sides. (I didn't want raw, fraying edges on the dress.) Then I sewed a basting stitch down the center of the strip (lengthwise), gathered it and attached it to the dress.


I added a sweet pink vintage button with some velvet ribbon. And she's very proud of herself that she can button it all by herself ... while she's wearing it.

Comments

April said…
sounds like you've got this figured out already but the picture of the shirt in the window made me think of this, http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2008/09/you-can-do-it-embellished-neckline.html
I've had it bookmarked for a while now but I've not made it yet....
10:37 AM EDT
Kim said…
Love it . I wish I could sew like you :)
10:38 AM EDT
Brenda said…
It's adorable. I love the ruffles.
11:01 AM EDT
Jane said…
That is just adorable! We really need to see it modeled sometime!
1:45 PM EDT
Cindy Is Crafty said…
Lera, It is lovely and I bet Miss Spenser is a really little priss in it! :O)
6:28 PM EDT
Karyn said…
Wow!! Lera that is GREAT!
9:44 PM EDT
nikko said…
Cute! I bet it looks so pretty on Spenser!
1:10 AM EDT
Bonus Mom said…
Lera, A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E. This dress is too cute! The vintage sheet makes it soft and lovely. Much better than the inspiration piece.
10:09 AM EDT
Diane said…
Turned out even cuter than the J Crew top! You made perfect use of that vintage sheet - no regrets :)
4:36 PM EDT
Amanda Jean said…
how sweet is that???? i love it so much!!! (i think i really need to buy that serger...) how great that she can button it herself. hurray for independence! :)
1:19 PM EDT
Chara Michele said…
So pretty! :)
3:50 PM EDT
misschris said…
I love this, Lera. LOVE. Super job. I've been eyeing ruffly neck stuff lately and thinking about the application, too... love the idea of doing it in a stretch a la J Crew... So feminine... xo

(and hi, btw. miss you.)
8:19 PM EDT
Shannon said…
I adore that dress! So cute. Great work!
11:44 AM EDT
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