Guys thank you so much for the nice comments! I love everyone on craftster, you are sweet. Isn't the fabric great?

i may have skipped this, but did you use a pattern for the dress?

Sorry, I neglected to mention that I did base this dress off a simplicity pattern but I cannot remember the number.  I made some changes when cutting out the pieces for size and I also changed the neckline. Because I do not follow directions I apparently sewed the zipper in wrong. My mom told me I messed up because there was supposed to be one flap not one on each side but I did not understand. I thought the zipper was fine! Also the pattern called for a 16 inch zipper and that seemed a size with a limited range of options so I used a 14 inch instead. I don't know why it would ask for a 16 inch since that's not so available.

I know crochet bikinis might not be for everyone, but they are just so fun, and customizable!

So if you want to know how to make the dress basically use simplicity with a couple modifications, and if you want to know how to do the bikini I could put a tutorial if anyone is interested, but basically you have to customize.

Also, I haven't finished that essay yet...eek!

This past weekend I went to my friend's engagement party at the beach, and I decided to neglect my giant essays for my Major American Writers course and make some things instead. I am a speed demon and I love crafting but I have not been doing enough recently. I made a snappy new dress and matching bikini (sadly I don't have many great pictures since  don't have a camera and I have to rely on pictures others were taking for pleasure). Anyway, I meant to make the dress longer but I accidentally trimmed the fabric so oh well, it's not indecent. I really like it, so did my friends.
Full shot with funky color:

Up close on the top pleats:

With our sandcastle:

Talking to friends (back view):

Walking in the breeze...my friend is funny...:

In the car going home:


Oh and about my crochet bikini, I have never crocheted much before, except for detailing, a hackeysack, and flowers/hair doodads. The cups sort of don't match but they are close enough. I made it all up as I went along to get the shape right. Oh, and I've heard rumors crochet bathing suits don't work for swimming but it is unlined and was great for a rough day of diving in the ocean! I want to make so many more now! I am all wet from wave swimming in these pictures, sorry there is no good shot of the bottom, but I love it!
Rockin' out (I wish my towel wasn't covering it!):

Close of the top:


Guys let me know what you think! You are all the experts, and I love feedback, especially so I can improve my future endeavors. 

I really want to do this swap but I'll be pretty busy until mid-May...maybe there will be another round.

This is so awesome! I don't know where I was when this went on. I hope there's another sometime.

thanks so much for offering guys, but LouraPalmr is going to angel! thank you all.

anybody up for swapping a travel mug? thats really the only kind of mug i use.
and on that note, anybody know how to decorate a travel mug in a permanent and dishwasher safe way?

i saw some complaints that the vogue ones dont have charts. what do you guys think?
if you just had one stitchionary with charts and words and thats clear to understand with good breadth of knowledge what do you reccomend?

this is great! i can wait too see everything else! hopefully ill receive today!

Poor superhooker sent and her partner received very early, but she has yet to receive! sendouts were  july!
please help  this wonderful craftster receive some sort of fabulous package! pm me if interested. there is a gallery and active swap thread if you need inspiration, and i can give you her info.
the idea is sending a bunch of items for knitting or crocheting like needles, hooks, yarn, stichmarkers, patterns, magazines, books, etc etc.

that pattern is super! i love it! im in for sure.