I really "need" another dress.

I looked in my closet the other day and thought to myself, "I really need another dress."  Keep in mind that need is a relative term.  This is what I made...

Now, let me show you how I made it!

First, I found some fabric.  I actually bought this fabric about five years ago, and I have no idea where I got it or why.  But when I saw it in my stash, I knew it would work for this project.

I decided the easiest way to make this dress without a pattern or really knowing anything was to find some items I already have in order to get the shape I wanted.  I used this black BCBG dress for the bodice shape, and this polka dot skirt from Forever 21 for the shape and length of the bottom.  Just lay them on there, and trace around them, leaving a little extra for a seam allowance!

Cut, cut, cut!

After cutting out the pieces, I pinned them together to see how the dress was going to fit.  Here's where I messed up...I didn't leave enough extra room for a seam allowance, so there was no way the dress was going to fit me (apparently I am wider than I thought!).  I problem solved my way out of this one by cutting some extra fabric and sewing it onto both sides of the front piece, like this!

Problem solved!

This added a little bit more width to dress so I could get it over my butt, and it added a neat design element.  Don't worry, you'll see in the end.  Next, I sewed the front and back together, and then I got started on the opening for the zipper and the vent in the back (so I can walk!).  

I hate putting in zippers.  Very much.  But there was no way I would be able to get this dress on without one.  I tried to follow the directions on the package, but it seemed more complicated than it needed to be.  

 

"Iron the zipper?"  Why?!?

I gave up on the directions and just sewed the zipper to my opening fully expecting I was going to have to either rip it off of there or just throw the whole dress away.  Surprisingly, it turned out great!  In order to get the dress to fit me right, I had to add in some significant darts in the front and back.  I also realized that the top of the dress was a little see-through, so I decided to use some of the extra fabric to line the top of the dress.  Like this!

I added some edging at the top since it looked a little blah.  I paired it with some "pearls" (every woman should own a set of pearls...just don't tell anyone that mine aren't real and I got them at a garage sale for 75 cents!), and voila!  

Boom!!