the purple pinafore
[ a little sewing something that has me preoccupied. ]
Um… so this is obviously not the post of knitting progress! I got a little side tracked with a sewing project instead. One of the pieces on my fall wardrobe plan, in fact! It took a couple evenings of earnest sewing, but it was a pleasantly simple and quickish pinafore to whip up.
[ love the cross-over straps. ]
Although I made it primarily as a pinafore (or jumper) to be worn over blouses and shirts, the pattern indicates it can also be worn as a sundress. Considering the weather is still quite warm here, I decided to model it as a sundress. I’m fairly pleased with how this turned out: it was one of those projects that was a bit of an experiment. I generally do not gravitate towards designs that have such a pronounced, horizontal line across the hip area. It emphasizes what I don’t want to draw attention to! lol. Although I won’t be rushing out to replace my wardrobe with yoked skirts, this is a nice change to the usual styles that populate my wardrobe!
[ front and side views. ]
[ details. ]
Oh, and all the fabric I ordered came today! I’m quite excited, but not sure whether to start on the red dress or the floral one first… Decisions!
Posted on November 4th, 2009 to sewing.
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sponsor spotlight: jennifer lauren »53 lovely thoughts to “the purple pinafore”
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Erin says:
Very cute! I love crossed straps, too. Don’t have to fuss over them slipping off your shoulders! You can move with much more ease. And the dropped hip seam is very flattering on you. Gives you a long lean torso! Not hip-widening at all
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Rosie says:
It is lovely!!! What a great job you did
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Katie says:
Casey this dress rocks! I love the color and the buttons.
You look smashing darling! -
Mary @ StyleFyles says:
This is beautiful! Everything from the color, to the cut, the material, the buttons! So fantastic, and you look amazing in it (excuse my gushing)!!!!!
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Eunice says:
I love this dress and I love the color.I love the cris-cross back. Purple is one of my favorite colors. Can’t hardly wait to see you next sewings projects!!!
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Lauren says:
Wow, wow, wow! This dress is fabulous and I’m *hearting* your amazing belt buckle! That color looks wonderful on you! Very lovely!
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Rhiannon says:
What a great dress!! I bet it will look amazing over a blouse once it finally cools down where you are . . is it really that hot still? Poor thing! No wonder you don’t feel like knitting!
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Genevieve says:
That looks really great on you. Totally flattering! Your waist looks tiny and the hip-level seam is nothing but cute. Lovely color (my favorite color) and incredible buckle, as someone mentioned. Most of all it looks so modern – in a great way – funny since it’s a 30s pattern (from what I remember).
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Stephanie says:
Simply adorable! I love the color and the buttons are a great detail. Is that just a basic solid cotton? It looks almost like a canvas weight. Just wondering….
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Sarah says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Oh I really love it! The colour is just wonderful. I can’t wait to see it with little blouses when it gets cooler!
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Gypsygirl says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
OMG! You are so talented m’dear! Great color for you too! You are adorable!
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Gertie says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Love love love it!!! What a beautiful job you did!
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Devin says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
I am officially in love with this dress. I rarely sew, but I feel like I shall have to start it up so that I can make a garment as lovely as this. Bravo!
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Catherine says:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Where to start? The cross over straps, the metal details… and that divine eggplant color! It all makes for a gorgeous piece – you should be proud!
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Sam says:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
WOW Casey, I have to say that that is one of the cutest things you’ve ever made! And that’s saying a lot! The color is perfect for the style and the style is just so cute, original, and flattering – I love it. Perfect!
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Kelley Anne says:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Wow Casey! That is just lovely and the color suits you so well. The whole thing is just so flattering. Where did you find the pattern for that dress?
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Deborah says:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Your use of solids continues to inspire me–I feel they get so short-changed, but a solid in the right shape has so much more power than an overwhelming print! Super cute project, one I’d wear all winter with a cardigan and some tights… Love it!
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Twila Jean says:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
that color is divine!!!!!
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Mel says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Wow that pinafore is awesome! I always think of pinafores as kind of aprons, yet I always want to wear them as regular dresses! You did a fantastic job! Now I want to buy some vintage pinafore/apron patterns and make me some!
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Kelly says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:31 am
I love it, and you look so good in these pics!
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Lauren says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Beautiful dress, beautiful color, and gorgeous hair! (I have got to get myself some flowers for my hair!) As always, I’m in awe of your sewing skills.
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reilly says:
Aaah, Casey! It’s so wonderful! I love it. I really like your choice of buttons and the buckle too! Your belt looks all nice and stiff, too. I suck at belt-making, haha.
I can’t wait to see the rest of your wardrobe planning done! I vote floral next.
I hope I get to see one of these outfits in person! 
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Esz says:
Beautiful!! All your wonderful creations just make me want to take up sewing more and more.
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Drop Stitches Not Bombs says:
Mmmm this dress is divine! And I concur with previous commenters that you look very slender in it, and that the hip level seam does you no harm at all. Isn’t the pinafore a thing of wonder – it enables year-round glamour. Also, I love the flowers in your hair – are they real?
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Nem says:
It’s so sweet! The colour is really flattering. I would love to learn how to sew things for myself.
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jen says:
i vote for the floral print dress as the next project.
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Andi B. Goode says:
It’s gorgeous. I love it.
-Andi x -
Erica says:
This is wonderful! And I love your blog!!
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Corinna says:
wow, you did a great job! i love the back of the dress!
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Micha says:
Hi : )
I just recently discovered your blog (and your youtube tutorials) and this is my fist comment.
You really ispire me, I must say.
When I read your blog I want to get my sewing machine out of the closet again, and have a go at making something for myself and my children. You stir my creativity!
And when I watch your tutorials you really make me smile : ) I love the way you laugh!
I`m not at all a vintage kind of person, but through reading your blog I feel inspired to be more of myself! To cultivate my own style so to speak (to allow myself to like what I like, and to dislike what I dislike). And to let myself shine through more.
: ) Thank you!! -
Marmielu says:
Very cute!
Mom -
Debbi (aka: Friend D) says:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:22 am
*sigh* This post makes me miss 1)Florida weather (we’re already in winter coats to walk to the bus stop in the morning) and 2) my sewing buddy!
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Sally says:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Casey, it’s ridiculously perfect! The color, the cut, the details – EVERYTHING!
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Emily says:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:26 am
It’s beautiful! I love the color. Sometime show us photo when you’re wearing a shirt with it. I’d love to see that version.
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Kelly says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
that color is absolutely exquisite! i love that dress, you did such a wonderful job on it!
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Erin says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
The details in this dress knock me out — the slightly contrasting thread, the bias binding. Lovely. Don’t worry about the horizontal hip line; the drape of the whole garment really works. It’s a dropped-waist dress that allows your trim midsection to shine. Brilliant! Nice pattern. Can you share the number/style?
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Karin says:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
What a gorgeous dress. It looks so beautiful on you. Marvelous job!
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Christina says:
Oh my gosh……. I’m in love with this dress!! Everything about it just screams fabulous!!! Do you sell any of these beauts online??? If you don’t, you should definitely consider it!! This whole look is so utterly fab! Love the hair too!!
Christina
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Eyeliah says:
Oh it is gorgeous and purple is a great color for you.
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Amy says:
I found your blog recently. I absolutely love your style! This is the perfect dress. It looks adorable on you. Your hair is so pretty. Love the flowers. Have a great day.:)
Amy -
miss english rose says:
Oh this is just lovely! and so lovely on you!! The colour really suits you! I have been meaning to start making my own dresses for quite sometime but always get scared! Do you have any tips on what would be best to start with? xxx
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Rosie says:
Wow, that is amazingly gorgeous!
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rachel says:
you did NOT just make that. man casey you continue to amaze me.
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Christina Thompson says:
Wow! such a pretty dress!
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stephanie says:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Wow, it’s beautiful! The color, the style, every details! I wish I could do things like that… ♥
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Lizzy says:
Wow, that is so gorgeous! I love the color of fabric you chose and all the extra little details like the buttons, etc. It looks so fabulous on you, the purple is so great, it really suits you.
You have some fabulous sewing skills -
Helen says:
Everytime I see something you make it inspires me to take sewing classes! I think I’ll make it my new year’s resolution to learn how to sew
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amelie says:
You look stunning! I just love this dress. I’m going to check that other post about the fabric/pattern used.
Hope i can get my hands on this pattern…
PS: first comment from me but i’ve come often and for a long time ;o) -
Tiffany says:
This is absolutely beautiful! I am quite jealous!!
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Zohar says:
lovely! and such a great color on you
I like all the little details -
ambika says:
November 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
This is so utterly gorgeous–love the buckle and buttons–the criss cross straps are too wonderful. & that purple really makes this so much more sophisticated than the pattern envelope would make me expect. Well done!
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Polly Farthing says:
November 12th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I’ve been a bit absent from blogging recently and just catching up on posts – WOW! You are so talented! I’ve said this a million times but you really have a gift. That is a real beauty. I’m currently obsessed with purple and have been trawling Etsy for both ‘purple’ and ‘pinafore dress’ – this encompasses both and it’s gorgeous
Polly x
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Alexandra says:
November 13th, 2009 at 2:22 am
You are so talented, lovely girl!!! I looooooove this purple color and the amazing details on this dress. SO CUTE!!!!
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!