Cotton + Steel Fringe Dress

I think I’ve died and gone to dress heaven!  This dress is seriously everything I could possibly want in a garment; comfortable, chic, on trend, and makes me feel absolutely amazing!

I was lucky enough to be part of a fashion show at UQSM (Utah Quilting and Sewing Marketplace) and the generous folks at Cotton + Steel sponsored our show.  It was so fun to shop their giant collection of fabrics.  I struggled picking something from all their amazing lines.  I’m a sucker for the Rifle Paper Co. lines but knew they’d be well represented by the other ladies in the show.  I knew I wanted a rayon and fell hard for this pretty butterfly print from Melody Miller’s Flutter line.  I think that it’s bold and subtle all at once.  The colors are so very me and the print is a little different from my normal floral, stripes, or gingham but still not too crazy.  It feels very seasonless to me too and I’ll wear it all year round, with sandals in warm weather and booties and a cardigan come fall.

I was beyond impressed with the weight and feel of this fabric.  It sewed up easily and the drape is just beautiful.  I’ve been spoiled working with it and now can’t wait to use it again.

I sewed up the Fringe Blouse and Dress from Chalk and Notch using the maxi tutorial from the Chalk and Notch blog.  Why have I not sewn up this pattern before now?!!! I am so in love with it! It was such a fun sew.  The instructions are fantastic and the finishing is superb.  It was also a fairly quick sew, I was able to make it up in a day full of lots of family interruptions.  I did view B, the popover version, and already have a view A set aside and ready to go.

I added the ties to the back darts and I love the little bit of shaping they give.

I was honestly a little nervous that this style would look a little ‘maternity’ on my body type.  I’m very rectangle with no chest and a belly and it’s really easy for tops and dresses to accentuate those features.  This pattern did the exact opposite in my opinion.  The lower neckline draws the eye up and the ties and waist shaping actually give me the illusion of a waistline.  The waistline gathering isn’t bulky and hits at that sweet spot of my natural waist.  I’m so glad to have given this style a try and now will fill my closet with this pattern and similar styles!

Can I get a little real with y’all?  I know my job as a sewing blogger and pattern promoter is to look pretty and tell you all the great things about my latest sews.  Part of that ‘job’ is taking fancy pictures of myself and posting for all the web to see.  I wish I could let you all see me as I sit here in my jammies writing this, having spent a totally lackluster day running errands like oil changes, grocery shopping, and soccer games.  The sunglasses in all my pictures are to hide the undereye circles from the lack of sleep and also the fact that I have an uncanny ability to close my eyes each time the shutter goes off.  You rarely see back shots because I have a silly insecurity about my elbows… I think staring at pictures of yourself can bring out all kinds of funny negative body thoughts.  It is fun to pretend to be a beautiful supermodel for a few minutes but just know that most of us in front of the camera are dealing with the same insecurities and daily life that you are.  I wouldn’t trade the everyday moments of motherhood for anything!

It takes a really amazing garment though to really make me feel like a million bucks and this dress does just that.  It hits that sweet spot of feeling like your most comfortable pajamas while looking like a chic garment.  Doesn’t get any better!