Dress from two Pillow Shams

[lindsycarranza]

I found these pillow shams while looking for sheets to use as fabric at Goodwill and I loved the colors and the design and bought them but didn't know what I was going to do with them. First I thought I would make them into a skirt but thought this could make a cute dress. I've NEVER made a dress before this is my first attempt and I decided to shirr it and I think it all came together okay.

Since they were shams they were split in the middle on the back the front would be too see thru on it's own so I needed to use the back as a lining. I was going to just whip stitch it closed but thought that would look odd so I ripped them apart with a seam ripper and then put both shams back together. Then I shirred the front at the top and at the waist band. Then I shirred the back, when I started I accidentally did it backwards where the elastic was on the wrong side, Opps! (I tend to make a lot of stupid mistakes, and end up ripping a lot of stitches! Extremely frustrating!) Then I sewed the front and back together, making another stupid mistake, I sewed the front on the wrong way.

See how is kind of bubbles in the back? Now I have a large booty! I'm not saying I'm fat I'm saying I have a huge A** which makes buying and finding clothes that fit (particularly pants) extremely difficult! Fabric tends to bunch and settle above my butt. Plus my posture (standing straight even) the best way to describe it would be the shape of a z, my butt not only is large but sticks out as does my torso, it's just the way I'm built

Sorry this is so wordy and thank you if you've stuck with me this long!!
Do you think it would help to maybe remove a few rows of shirring in the back or add some? Should I try to find a heavier fabric for the bottom band to add weight to hold it down? Does it look bad? I forgot to mention earlier that I didn't want to double fold it to hem the bottom so I stitched a line and then purposely frayed the bottom, I thought that was cute but still feels a bit short that's why I'm thinking of adding a band at the bottom. Comments and Suggestions are MUCHO appreciated!

Here are a couple tuts I roughly based this off of, I hardly ever follow anything line by line I just get an idea and go with it usually

http://sewingrepublic.com/projectIdeas.html#/scarf_dress/

http://www.kukyideas.com/journal/2007/04/shirred-dress-tutorial.html


UPDATE: I've moved all my pics and no longer have all the pics that were in this post. All the pics I have are of the final product so here they are:

[alwaysinmyroom]

First of all, so many of you young ladies are too hard on yourselves!  You have a wonderful figure and a booty that a lot of men (and women!) admire!! I think at least you are balanced--a "Z" figure is nothing to hide!

That being said, the dress made from pillow shams and how you overcame obstacles is wonderful!! I don't think that it is too short for a summer dress--and the flowy fabric is great for hot weather...

It looks like the side seams are pulling a bit, which might add to the problem--try ironing the seams first--it could be that your tension is off a bit on your machine...or maybe your needle is too large...

Be honest--are you going to be wearing it anywhere where you are standing so stiff and tall like trying to take a pic?  NOOOO--you will probably be moving, sitting, dancing, and making the focus on your face and upper body--I would press it and say it is done...

[Ludi]

Oh my that is a wonderful recon!  Very pretty!

[najaorama]

I think it looks great! And I think you look great!

Did you use elastic thread? If so where did you find it. I have been looking all over my home town.

And I love the re-purpose. And the fabric. And the frayed hem. And I don't think it's immodest. Short is cute.

Great job.

[r.forslund]

youre definitely being to hard on yourself. i'd kill for a figure like yours. and the recon is absolutely amazing!! great job!!

[lindsycarranza]

First of all, so many of you young ladies are too hard on yourselves!  You have a wonderful figure and a booty that a lot of men (and women!) admire!! I think at least you are balanced--a "Z" figure is nothing to hide!

That being said, the dress made from pillow shams and how you overcame obstacles is wonderful!! I don't think that it is too short for a summer dress--and the flowy fabric is great for hot weather...

It looks like the side seams are pulling a bit, which might add to the problem--try ironing the seams first--it could be that your tension is off a bit on your machine...or maybe your needle is too large...

Be honest--are you going to be wearing it anywhere where you are standing so stiff and tall like trying to take a pic?  NOOOO--you will probably be moving, sitting, dancing, and making the focus on your face and upper body--I would press it and say it is done...

Oh! Thank you so much! I'm really not trying to be hard on myself, I've come to love my body including my chest and my big booty! (I always thought my chest was too small 34B especially considering my big behind LOL but I love it and would never change it and my hubby loves it and that's all that matters right?! ) It's just makes it difficult to find clothes that both fit and flatter my figure, that's why I'm trying really hard to dive more and more into making my own clothes I did iron the seam after finishing it thinking that would help the problem but it didn't, maybe the tension is off on my machine and I should try resewing them. I thought about doing a zig zag stitch to help the seam lay flat but wasn't sure how that would look, thought that it might make it look more unfinished? I really wanna make a cute cardigan to go with it too, gotta find the fabric first Ya know I thought about that too, if it were a skirt I wouldn't consider it too short so maybe it's not and that's just my mind playing tricks on me, I just get nervous because when I bend over at a 90 degree angle it's just an inch or so covering my crotch but it's not like I'm gonna be bending like that in public, I am a lady ya know LOL! I agree the lighter fabric will be great in the hot summer months. Thank you SOO SOO much for your comment!

[lindsycarranza]

Oh my that is a wonderful recon!  Very pretty!

Thank You very much!!

[lindsycarranza]

I think it looks great! And I think you look great!

Did you use elastic thread? If so where did you find it. I have been looking all over my home town.

And I love the re-purpose. And the fabric. And the frayed hem. And I don't think it's immodest. Short is cute.

Great job.

Aww thank you so much! Yes I did you hand wind the elastic on the bobbin and regular thread on the top and sew away! It's really quite easy actually! I bought mine awhile ago and Hancock Fabrics, I had to ask where it was because I was having trouble finding it and it was on a wall with a bunch of notions. Thanks So much for your comment! I hope you find elastic thread! I love it now! I also made a shirred top out of an old men's dress shirt I will be posting soon!

[lindsycarranza]

youre definitely being to hard on yourself. i'd kill for a figure like yours. and the recon is absolutely amazing!! great job!!

Aww thank you so much!

[miss sarah jane]

That is too cute!  I really love the fabric, and I'm always in admriation of anyone who can repurpose something so successfully.

I don't have anything constructive to say, other than, you look hot, girl!  Wear it and be proud!