Comfy, Cute and Classy-A Trifecta of Party Dress.Now with tute!

[frecks]

Saw a knit on sale at Joanne's the other day and fell in love with this oversized houndstooth fabric.
EDIT: Here's my first tute! This tute is meant for people who have some basic knowledge abut dress construction. You will probably have to magnify the pages to see it (I am not computer-ly gifted).I hope you can make heads or tails of it. There are more details below in the post. If you make this dress please post it! I'd love to see it!





 This was my first time working with a stretchy fabric like this. It turns out that tailoring isn't super necessary when working with this amount of stretch. I could've sewed a bug tube and still had a cute dress! I'm glad I put the amount of effort I did into it, though.



 This was in my usual style of cut, tailor and adjust. No pattern, no mannequin (though a duct tape form is in the works). It's basically three strips of fabric cut to my bust, waist and hip measurements. The top of the skirt was gathered to fit the waist area, the bust was gathered at the bottom of each cup to fit the top of the waist and I then pleated down the center of the bust portion to create a nice fit (all of my dresses have this...quick, easy and effective!) The straps are wide strips of fabric that I pleated in the front and back. I can wear them on the shoulder as cap sleeves, pushed together at the top as straps and also off-shoulder. Results: the comfiest retro styled dress that I've ever worn!

 I'm pretty proud of this dress all in all. I conquered my fear of stretch and am also taking more care in the finishing and in matching up patterns. I have a feeling that this one is going to get a lot of use! I can't wait to use a form to create more structured dresses.
PS-excuse any crazy color saturation. I was trying to use my very limited photo editing skills to give these a vintage feel.

[TeenageRebelOfTheWeek]

Ahh, houndstooth. I love it, but I can't seem to find it in a cotton knit! The dress is GORGEOUS - what pattern did you use for it, if you don't mind me asking?  -x-

[Psycho Sue]

the tailoring really shows! and it's uber flattering! Remember, there's a difference between fitted and tailored. A fitted tube would not look as polished as this wonderful dress

love the houndstooth! Also.... you are reminding me of Audrey Hepburn 

[wendiek]

The moment I made me a dress with stretch fabric, I wondered why I was so afraid to do so...  If you use the right needle, the fabric is wonderful to work with.

I know what you mean with the tailoring, it is necessary but you don't have to measure it twice to make it exactly right. Right?

The dress looks good, like the fabric and the dress you made!
Good job, keep it going with the stretchy fabric!

[Lilybet85]

This is a beautiful dress. I'm not usually a fan of houndstooth, but you did an amazing job.

[savage pixie]

Love the print, love the cut, love this dress. You look amazing.
The giant houndstooth brings a new fun element to the dress.

[tattooedcrafter]

I love this dress, it is so cute and looks like it is made perfectly.

[wewilltaketothesea]

This dress is so cute! I too have a fear of working with stretch fabrics... did you use an overlock machine or just a regular sewing machine?

You look lovely- great job!

[hgddm]

This is gorgeous! Love the fabric. I want to start working with knits soon. You've inspired me!

[Reel Crafty Girl]

Absolutely stunning!!  I a big fan of houndstooth print!!  The styling on this is so flattering