• Skip to main content

Rachael Herron

(R.H. Herron)

  • Blog
  • Books
  • Bio/Faq
  • Subscribe
  • For Writers
  • Podcast
  • Patreon essays

I Made a Dress!

June 19, 2012

But not just any dress. This is my own pattern, which I made up MYSELF.

IMG_4715

Oh, my gosh, I love those teensy flowers.

Seriously, this was the goal when set out to sew again. I wanted my own perfect dress pattern which I could whip out when I wanted something new, and I GOT IT. I copied the top of a dress I like from Eshakti (I've learned I like many gathers rather than just a couple of bust darts), and the skirt of a dress I made a long time ago which was just the right shape and length. I made four very frustrating muslins of the top getting the fit to be what I wanted. 

IMG_4774
It has pockets! I heart pockets. And it has no closures! Easy! 

IMG_4736
Where's Digit?

And it's fast, so fast. The dress took me two hours, and the bias tape (which I made myself!) and application took another two hours because I was determined to do it beautifully. Which I did, by the way. I had to rip two seams. I hate ripping seams like I hate ripping knitting. It galls me to my core. Oh, but sewing is a million times faster than knitting. Instant gratification! 

IMG_4731

Basically, I realize that I wanted dresses that look like old-fashioned aprons. YEP, THAT'S IT!

A few more pictures are over at Flickr for the curious. 

Posted by Rachael 22 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sonya says

    June 19, 2012 at 6:18 pm

    Ahhhhhhh! It’s gorgeous! I love that pattern. Maybe we could do a pattern swap or something…

    Reply
  2. Arla LeCount says

    June 19, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Congratulations! Looks great and will be a great template for whole rooms of cute dresses!

    Reply
  3. ann kelley says

    June 19, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    it’s wonderful! you are such a talented woman- i admire your knitting and sewing skills! i’ve sewn things since i was 7, but can’t make a pattern, and just started knitting. i’ve been quilting since 1991, and find all 3 crafts soul satisfying! keep up the wonderful work!

    Reply
  4. Amy says

    June 19, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    How cute are you and that dress?! Well done!

    Reply
  5. Gwendolyn T says

    June 19, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Great job!

    Reply
  6. Susanne says

    June 19, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    I love the dress, it is so you. Great job.

    Reply
  7. Leslie Abrey says

    June 19, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    You did a great job making up the pattern and the dress – well done! I first started making clothes for myself when I was a teenager and still enjoy sewing,but haven’t made anything for myself for a while.Knitting is wonderful,but as you say,there is nothing like sewing for instant gratification!

    Reply
  8. Celia says

    June 19, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Fabulous confluence of fabric, style and model! I thought “apron” when I first saw it. Lovely, you!

    Reply
  9. Dani says

    June 20, 2012 at 4:33 am

    So cute!! Great job!

    Reply
  10. Sally at Rivendale Farms says

    June 20, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Love it!!! Can’t sew worth a lick myself, so in awe of your mad skills.

    Reply
  11. SapphireBlue says

    June 20, 2012 at 6:51 am

    I was thinking that looks like a nice apron when I first saw it. It’s a very cute dress. Very retro.

    Reply
  12. Lizz says

    June 20, 2012 at 7:35 am

    Rachael you’re a superhero! That dress is amazing!

    Reply
  13. Beth P. in Maryland says

    June 20, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Hi Rachael!
    Nice job on the dress!
    Huge congrats on the new car and for paying off the debt. Being debt-free is a fabulous feeling. I was debt-free for a while and then a new Harley fell in love with me. It’s gorgeous and rides like a dream!
    It’s been ages since my last comment (shame on me!) give Digit some kisses from me!

    Reply
  14. Teenuh says

    June 20, 2012 at 10:28 am

    Beautiful! I love it! That dress is SO you! You did a bang up job on it!

    Reply
  15. Helen says

    June 20, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    I loves that dress. Fits you perfectly.

    Reply
  16. Natalie says

    June 20, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Love it!! You did a great job! So cute!

    Reply
  17. Brandi says

    June 20, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    OMGosh it’s lovely I’m not that good yet maybe when I get tired of processing and playing with fiber.

    Reply
  18. Carol says

    June 20, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    I also have been thinking about making dresses! Your success and temps in the 90’s are all encouragement that I need!

    Reply
  19. toni in florida says

    June 20, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    You are adorable! I love it that you just went for it and that you worked through 4 muslins to get it right. The result was certainly worth it!

    Reply
  20. maddy ravname maddyknits2 says

    June 21, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Very cute! I am traumatized by sewing machines, pink fabric covered in teensy flowers and being forced to make my own bias tape :-P. Both my folks worked in the garment industry. Dad brought home a whole free bolt of hot pink calico covered in teeny yellow flowers and I wanted a simple peasant blouse … uggghhhh … never forget THAT weekend. or the horrid twist on that little peasant blouse. Mom was cheap with her elastic too.

    Reply
  21. Kristen says

    June 22, 2012 at 5:05 am

    I’m loving the sleeves/shoulders part of the dress! Fits you perfectly. Is it cotton? Very summery!

    Reply
  22. Rita says

    June 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    VERY cute… inspiring really. I could do something like that too… not EXACTLY the same mind you, but similar… Hmmm…. *plotting*

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

© 2026 Rachael Herron ยท Log in