He-llo Ladies! This week I’m going to show you how I recreate this GORGEOUS modcloth cocktail dress with all the lace and ruffles you can handle. I’m kind of obsessed with cream lace right now, but the dress would be fabulous in black as well. I love reading comments and answering any questions you guys have, please do so below.
As always, happy sewing!
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Even better than Episode One! You truly are talented. Those ruffles turned out amazing.
So Awesome.Great film quality.
Beautiful Dress. Video looks great, you’re on a roll, keep it up!
You’ve really outdone yourself on this one. You’ve totally inspired me to pick up sewing again, how do you make it look so easy?
You look great Abby, you’re so adorable and your blog is going to be a huge hit! I’m terrible at normal domestic things but I think I could manage making a dress like this, so creative in thinking up the easiest and cheapest way to create different garments. I never would have thought to just add onto a slip or a corset- that’s so smart and simple. Wonderful job, you’re so enjoyable to watch. Thanks for sharing!!!
p.s. What are you filming on? Great quality.
Thank you Becca. I film on a Cannon Rebel t3i/600D. My husband does most of the recording though. I see you’re a Nikon Girl, but that’s okay, we can still be friends!
Love the dress. Your house is decorated so cute. Will you do some home decor stuff????
Absolutely, I have a few different projects in mind, keep checking back- there will be some home decor stuff in the near future.
i dunnnnnno, those ruffles look to hard.
Once again, nice presentation.
Ha ha, thanks for watching Damon. I’m sure that Women’s clothing isn’t exactly incredibly interesting to you, but thanks for taking the time to watch! See you soon.
ust wanted to let you know that you inspired me and my friends to start a sewing circle. We all know a little bit about sewing and making stuff ourselves but we want to do projects just like this. Screw paying those ridiculous prices for clothes @ anthropology or urban outfitters or something we want to make it ourself…. I mean come on, what girl doesnt want a modcloth dress for 11 bucks?!?! i’ve thought to myself before that i could just make a lot of the cute clothes I see but you actually do it. Guess I just wanted to say thanks for sharing and all my friends and I are really excited to see every single one of your webisodes. Gr8 Vlog.
Awesome! Sewing circles are a great way to share inspirations, and learn new techniques from friends. I used to host a “Stitch and Bitch” once a week with a few girls, we would sit around drinking Tea and eating snacks while we all discussed projects we were working on, shared ideas, and worked on small mending projects while we chatted. Sewing groups are great for beginner and advanced sewers!
*Very Impressive, I think I may just pick up sewing again*
Luv, Luv, Luv it! Totally useful tutorial. I like really want to start sewing now. What kind of sewing machine do you suggest for n00bs? I have no idea how to sew, but Ive watched my mom sew when I was younger.
A lot of beginners I know start out with the super cheapie machines from walmart (I think you can buy sewing machines there for around $30)- but I don’t recommend buying one of those EVER, all they are is a major headache.The cheap plastic parts will break easily, the tension is always messed up and it will only discourage a new seamstress. I recommend buying a used Singer, find one off Craigslist, no older than 1950. Most of the time you can find one in really good condition for around $50. Old Singers are built well, sturdy, and Singer parts are universal, so you don’t have to go searching to make sure you buy the correct needles, bobbins, etc. If you find a machine without a manual, you can easily find downloadable .PDFs of almost any Singer online. After a couple years, you may want to graduate to a newer sewing machine with an array of fancy stitches, or even a serger, you can’t go wrong with a Singer either way. I still sew on my 1953 Singer.
wow, thanks for the advice. I wasn’t really expecting you to write me a response, it’s cool you actually keep tabs on your blog and respond to comments. Im looking on craigslist now, thanks again.
I agree. You get what you pay for when it comes to new machines. Singers are the best, I sew on an early 70′s Singer and its never given me any problems.
I sew on a singer too….
Omg, this machine is adorable!
i friggin love this machine where ever did you find it?
This is my Singer… 1960-something. I had to do some major repairs but got it for $15 at a garage sale.
1. Awesome Video
2. I want to share my machine too!
Stumbled across your blog and fell in love. Not sure which dress to make first. When is your next episode coming out? Can’t wait, love ur style.
I like this video a lot. What other clothes do you make?? Where did you learn? I want to learn to sew really bad to make my own clothes.
Kudos to those ruffles, I’ve made similar ruffles before and it is a ton of work. I thought it was pretty cool how you filmed that part. Great way to show a lot of work without making it boring.
Where do you buy your fabric?
JoAnn Fabric mostly, sometimes I shop online for fabric if I know exactly what I want already.
eeeeek love this. modcloth always has the cutest dresses please make more.
Love the concept of your vlog. I thought about doing something similar at one point, but you do it much better than I ever could, really like the music you use. The entire thing is well done
I’m making this dress tomorrow. I have all the materials except the top I’m looking 2morrow at thrift stores. whats your advice for shopping for the “bodice”? o, and I’m making it in black…
Abby, I just stumbled across this and am loving this post in particular. My best friend and I are giant ModCloth lovers but as you say, it’s always a little pricey! I shared this post with her and we’re now inspired to start our own sewing circle. Per your advice in a comment above, we’re going to see if we can find a Singer to share on CL for our own sewing circle.
Thanks for posting such a great tutorial! You make it look so easy
You are beyond cute, by the way. Love the retro + tats looks.
Hey dude! I really respect what you’re posting here. Keep posting that way.
Wow, that turned out so well! I am only just getting into sewing and your tutorials are so great for beginners. Mixing thrifted items with new fabric is a great idea. Keep it up
Love your blog Vanessa!!
Pretty Fuckin’ Awesome. You are so creative, it’s so cool that you use old thrift store stuff to make new dresses. I’m making this dress in black for a holiday dress.
Again… Awesome.
Thanks.
-W
Wendy, I would love to see pictures when you’re done!
You are so beautiful and tos talented. I love making women’s clothing I like to see women look pretty and sexy, instead of frumpy and sloppy. I have actually said the same thing as the title of your blog, so it brought a chuclke to me. I was in Houston Texas walking through Neiman Marcus or one of those expensive stores in the Glalleria, I happened to see a rack of evening gowns that were on sale, I almost fell down, thre mark downs brought the prioces all the way down to $300 to $500 I said to myself pschh I can make that dress.
You are very good at giving instructions and teaching, I even like your tats and I am not a big fan of them you make the tats hot in my opinion. I will be checking in from time to time, thanks for your blog and keep up the good work!
Doug
Doug,
Thanks for being majorly creepy.
I am sufficiently creeped out for the day.
Abby Elaina
thanks for such a great post, i am totally impressed!
I think Episode Two is the best episode, that bodice is really fancy.
Wow, so beautiful.
Wow, she did really well! Mariah loves to sew. I hate it if I have to flloow a pattern. I broke my machine and Mariah asked for one of her own in purple. We’ll see.
Fantastic. I’ve been looking around forever for a blog just like yours.
that’s awesome, thanks for sharing.
Hello! I’ve been reading your site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Utah. Just wanted to tell you keep up the great work!