“I brake for birds, I rock a lot of polka dots, I have touched glitter in the last 24 hours, and I find it fundamentally strange that you’re not a dessert person. That’s just weird, and it freaks me out. And I’m sorry I don’t talk like Murphy Brown, and I hate your pantsuit. I wish it had ribbons on it,or something to make it just slightly cuter.”
–Zooey Deschanel (New Girl quote)
I knew as soon as I read about the leading lady challenge that I would choose Zooey Deschanel for my inspiration. I just love her style so much. I love the modesty, the retro feel, and how girly her style is. It’s classy, timeless, and completely wearable. I simply adore it! Zooey most often plays a supporting actress role but there are a few she gets to shine in as the lead. I especially loved her in 500 Days of Summer.
For the dress I used Simplicity 2444. The pattern doesn’t include a lining but I did fully line it because of the light color of my linen blend fabric for the dress. I lined the bodice first and had the dress nearly finished. I was just going to wear a slip for the skirt portion of the dress but you could see the pockets through the skirt, unfortunately. I debated on taking out the pockets for about 2.5 seconds and quickly dismissed that idea. You can’t get rid of pockets in a dress! So I lined the skirt portion of the dress as well.
I used an invisible zipper for the back rather than a standard zipper called for in the pattern.
I didn’t put in the front seam on the skirt since it seemed pointless, and I had to omit the back darts on the dress so it would fit my waist, which I thankfully discovered on my muslin. My pattern went up to a size 12 and apart from the waist, I was able to stay on pattern for the rest of the sizing.
I printed some bird silhouettes I googled online and cut out 15 different foam bird stamps using THIS tutorial. It really took a long time to make all those stamps! Because I had to cut out each shape twice in order to get enough height on the foam and not mess up while stamping.
I brushed each stamp with paint before stamping onto the fabric. Since the dress was completed once I stamped (so I could place the birds how desired), it was a little scary stamping the dress! But I love the end result! Zooey Deschanel wears a lot of black and white or black and cream with polka dots. I thought the birds were a good compromise from the polka dots as I wanted something unique.
I love the dress as is but toyed around with the idea of adding a peter pan collar to the dress. I wasn’t fully committed to it, so decided on making a cardigan with a peter pan collar on it. I used Andrea Pannell’s Parisian Top as my base and turned it into a cardigan with 7 buttons and a lace collar.
And there you have it. With a cardigan…
and without.
I love it both ways.
And for the record, I don’t hate pantsuits. But I do like that quote. ;)
Head on over to Project Sewn and vote for you favorite look! It’s so exciting to see what everyone has made!
Thanks for stopping by!
Christie,
I LOVE it! You did such a great job! I bet your will get hoards of compliments the next time you wear this to church!
Thank you Kelly! I have to wait to wear it when I’m done nursing (and then I’ll have to take it in, haha!). Oh well. Love your outfits so much!
Beautiful! Love the simplicity of both the dress design and the fabric.
Thank you so much Veronica!
Love those birds – so beautiful!!!
Thanks Trine! Love your outfit as well!
What a great idea with the stamps! The dress is very beautiful and elegant!
Thank you so much!
Love the dress, so lovely and elegant. And that quote is wonderful. I remember that scene, so funny (and true :-D))
Thanks so much! It is a great quote :). Awesome that you remember the scene!
I love this dress! Very understated, but the birds really give it a pop. Best of luck on Project Sewn!
Thank you Alicia! I loved it’s simplicity as well with just enough interest in the details. Thanks for the well wishes!
It’s perfect on you Christe! I love the stam
Thanks so much Justine!
It’s just beautiful! I love the addition of the stamped birds … just a little touch of whimsy on a classic dress :)
Thank you Teri! You are right about the birds–it is such a fun dress pattern!
Your outfit is just beautiful! I have the Parisian top pattern too and I never even thought about making it a cardigan. Now that is a must do as yours is adorable :)
Thank you Megan! It wasn’t hard to do at all! Good luck!
This is probably my favorite thing you’ve ever made. You are amazing and so brave to stamp those birds. I know I would have ruined the whole dress for sure. I’m so glad you took the risk because it is seriously fabulous.
Kalleen–that is so sweet of you. Thank you so much! I don’t think you would have ruined it. I was very slow and careful–I’d have cried I’m sure if I messed it up!
I love this! I think you made exactly the right call on the neckline. The dress’ neck looks really great on you as-is, and the white-on-black peter-pan collar looks great as a cardigan over this dress. Also – I love your lego stamps! :-)
Thank you Sasha! And for reading my explanation :). So often it’s easy to skim :). Thanks for the compliments!
Your dress is absolutely gorgeous. It is the best one on this weeks challenge. You of course received my vote.
Thank you so much for your vote! And compliments!
I love this look! You did an amazing job!
Thanks sister! Love ya!
Seriously so good, Christie!! This makes me so excited to see what else you have planned!!!!
If I can understand the Burda pattern, that will maybe be my accomplishment for the year :). Thanks Sabe!
That’s a great dress – I love the front darts, and your bird stamps are awesome! Lovely job!! :)
Thank you so much!
I have noticed that you use the same location for several of your “shoots”. I’m looking for a place to do pictures with my family and I need a new spot. Are you willing to share where the location is?
Yes, email me and I can let you know:). dillonandchristie (at) gmail (dot) com.
Beautiful! I have had this pattern in my stash for ages…I must get around to making it! I love the twin darts on the front. Lovely touch with the bird stamping too.
It really is a wonderful pattern–I had little issues with it, unlike many other store-bought patterns, I think the fit is great. I do love those twin darts! I hope you get a chance to sew it soon!
This turned out beautifully! You did such a nice job. Seems like a lot of work! I too love those twin darts in front.
Thank you so much Anneliese! Those darts are fun! It was a lot of work–mostly because of the stamping and lining the dress though.
Wow I can’t believe you did ALL that stamping by hand!! Such an amazing job! And I love the Parisian cardigan. I just made my first Parisian last week so will definitely have to give this a go – thanks for the idea :)
Thank you Nat! It was really fun :). Good luck making a cardigan! It wasn’t hard at all!
I love how that turned out! I wondered in the birds was another fabric you sewed on. I can’t believe you stamped it! It looks awesome!
Thanks so much Lynette! You are so sweet :)
This is such a beautiful dress!! I love it so much!!!!!!!