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Christmas· Dresses· Girls· Sew for Girls· Tutorials

Color Blocked Bodice Tutorial

A little while ago we were over at icandy handmade sharing a tutorial for Jen and Autie’s Basic Bodice Series. 

And since I really do like the bodice, and because I did make this dress for her to wear during the holidays I’m sharing the post and tutorial back here on our blog today.

(And while I’m sharing this on the blog I’m working at home to finish up a holiday skirt that I am so excited about!  If I hussle I’ll have it completed and ready to go for Thursday.  I really hope I get it done!)

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Hi! I’m liZ, one of the two Elizabeth’s over at Simple Simon and Company and we are so excited to be participating in Jen and Autie’s Basic Bodice Series.

Color Blocked Bodice Tutorial

One of our favorite things to make for our girls are dresses, dresses, and more dresses.
Elizabeth and I have each drafted basic bodice patterns for our girls that we use constantly as a foundation for most of our dresses.
Two of the dresses that we made last month that started with our basic bodices are:
and
Dresses are so fun.  If you find a basic bodice pattern that you like and fits well, stick with it and the possibilities to make from it are endless!
Today I get to share a super simple change you can make to any bodice pattern.
Currently it’s one of my favorite little changes to make.  It’s simple and easy but adds a lot to your look…especially if you are into the color blocking trend.
Here’s a look at what I’m talking about:
It’s a simplified color blocked bodice.
(Instead of a solid bodice this one has the top third in a different color and fabric.)
I kind of love it.
And like I said it’s SUPER EASY to do.
Here’s how I did it:
(There may be other, better ways, but this how I’ve been doing it and it totally works.)
The first thing I did was cut out some fabric that would be large enough to trace my bodice onto.  I needed a piece for the top stripe and for the bottom.
Next, with right sides together, I stitched those two pieces together.
After that I ironed (and top stitched) the two pieces of fabric.
Next I pinned on my bodice pattern.  (I did this where the red stripe would take up one third of the bodice and the patterned piece would make up the other two thirds.)
Once everything was situated like I wanted I cut out the front bodice piece.
Then from here I simply continued constructing the bodice and dress like I normally would.  Adding the stripe across the top was only a detour of a few minutes!
Like I said EASY.
But with a fun outcome!
Now this isn’t the dress that I had planned to make.
The technique is what I wanted to share but this dress…it’s all Grace.
I couldn’t decide between a navy blue maxi dress with some awesome vintage yellow plaid across the top or a mocha colored maxi with white and yellow paisleys across the top.  But when I asked Grace to come look through the fabric pile with me she found this fabric in my stash and it was all over.
Soon I’ll post the navy and plaid maxi…
However, I don’t think Grace will like that one as much…
She’s pretty much convinced that this is the best dress ever.
Thank you Jen and Autie for inviting us over today.  This is such a fun series.  We are looking forward to seeing what everyone makes!
-liZ
Simple Simon & Co
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I’ve started the navy maxi dress that I had planned and mentioned up above…it’s fun…but more than likely won’t be finished until after Christmas…so much to do before then…so very much to do….

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Comments

  1. Stephanie Saunders says

    I’m seriously obsessed with your blog- you guys have the best styles ever. One of these days you need to make a tutorial on how to get your skirts so poofy. Is it just tulle or do you use a hoop as well? Or do you do crinoline?

  2. Simple Simon & Co says

    Stephanie,
    In this picture Grace is just wearing a slip I made…but you can see it is too short by the way the dress hangs. When I make her a new one (which she needs) I’ll put together a tutorial for it and post it…probably sometime in January.
    -liZ

  3. Simple Simon & Co says

    Stephanie,
    In this picture Grace is just wearing a slip I made…but you can see it is too short by the way the dress hangs. When I make her a new one (which she needs) I’ll put together a tutorial for it and post it…probably sometime in January.
    -liZ

  5. treen says

    Ditto to the first question – what do you do to get the dress so poofy? Not just what’s under it (i.e. the slip) but also, how do you figure out how much fabric to use for the dress itself because it seems like there’s an awful lot of it, and how do you attach it to the bodice? I’m guessing there’s more to it than just a basic gathering stitch since it seems like the amount of fabric would be kind of heavy to hold with that. The dress would just come apart. I love this dress and my girls (I have 5) would get a kick out of having something so poofy and twirly, but I’m just starting with sewing so I need a lot more details before attempting things. Thanks!