We've just returned from an Amazing holiday in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria. We stayed at a fantastic hotel with a jacuzzi on our balcony, ate lovely Spanish food, went on day trips, swam in the sea and soaked up the sun! But the best feeling was knowing I had made all my clothes myself! So here's the run-down of all the patterns and fabric I used to create my fabulous me-made holiday wardrobe!
Mystical Horse Dress
I fell in love with this stunning horse head panel as soon as I saw it. I immediately knew it would make a fabulous maxi dress. It came as one large panel of fabric with two identical horse heads printed on it, so I simply cut off the selvedge, folded it over and sewed it up one side, and gathered the top to form a skirt. For the bodice I made a modified version of the E&M Sunny Day Dress. I hemmed the neckline and armscye instead of lining it and lowered the neckline about an inch. I wanted to keep the bodice simple so as to not distract from the skirt, and I love the finished result. It was perfect for an evening visit to the fountain at Mogan Mall, Puerto Rico.
Sunny Day Tunic & Dress Pattern
Zebra Print Tres Belle Dress
I've made the Ellie & Mac Tres Belle Dress many times but have always made the full or half circle skirts. This was my first time making the gathered skirt option but it was perfect for the lighter, more casual look I wanted for my holiday. I used a funky zebra print poly jersey from Knighton Fabrics to create a fun look for wearing to dinner on the first night of our trip.
Gingham Birthday Dress
I celebrated a 'big' birthday while we were on holiday (yes, you guessed it, 21!!) so I needed a special birthday dress to go out to dinner. I made the Ellie and Mac Lakeisha Cottage dress. It's milk maid style with elasticated neckline and ruffled hem is right up my street. I used a gingham cotton lycra from Northern Monkey Makes Discount Fabrics for a full on barbie inspired dress! I loved wearing this out to dinner and cocktails.
Lakeisha Cottage Crop Top, Peplum & Dress Pattern
Alice in Wonderland Dress
I've had this Alice in Wonderland panel in my stash for a while now waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it. I made the Solar Sundress from George And Ginger Patterns. I got the whole outer dress from one panel and used a co-ordinating navy jersey for the shelf bra lining. I wore this to the beach and it was perfect for the warm sunny weather.
Fabric from Knighton Fabrics
Red Ribbed Dress
It's no secret that my favourite colour is red! I just seem to be naturally drawn to all red fabrics and this soft rib knit from ABC Fabric was no exception! This is a self drafted dress and the pattern will be available soon in my online shop.
One Shoulder Dress
Another self drafted dress! I wore this on a boat trip to Puerto de Mogan and felt like a millon dollars while wearing it! Fabric is a tie die cotton jersey from Northern Monkey Makes Discount Fabrics. It's so soft and felt so comfy to wear. It was a quick and easy sew too, so I think I'll make a few more like this for my next holiday.
Rainbow Dress
I've been getting really into maxi dresses recently. I've never really worn them much and always preferred shorter dresses, but this holiday I really enjoyed the loose flow of maxi dresses in the evening. This one is the Stephanie Dress from Made for Mermaids. I really love how feminine it looks and the beautiful drape of the skirt. I used a rainbow leopard spun poly from Knighton Fabrics which compliments it perfectly.
Nyeca Dress
I love a dress with a sweetheart neckline, so the Ellie and Mac Nyeca Dress is a firm favourite. I've made about 4 of these so far and just had to make a new one for my holiday! Fabric is a heart print jersey from ABC Fabric.
I hope you've enjoyed reading about my me-made holiday wardrobe. For more photographs, check out my Instagram page @sewn_by_ruth
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