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January 15, 2013 by Narelle @CookCleanCraft

Ripples and Ruffles and Spots Dress

This week’s theme for Project Run and Play is Stripes and Polka Dots. This was the perfect excuse to try creating my own stripes, using the slashing or blooming technique:

Ripples Ruffles Spots Dress (3)

The stripes are made up of layers of fabric sewn together every 1/2 inch, and all but the bottom layer is slashed (cut open). After a run through the washing machine, the fabric blooms, creating ripples and texture. It’s sometimes called faux chenille as well. I’ll give a more detailed tutorial soon.

Ripples Ruffles Spots Dress (1)

After making my striped fabric, I then had the tough decision of what to do with it. I was originally thinking a skirt, but was worried that the slashed fabric would be too bulky at the waist. I wanted to make something that Celeste could wear in winter too, so I opted for an A-line pinafore (jumper). It works well as a dress in our incredibly hot summer too!

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (6)

The spotty fabric is a remnant I picked up at Spotlight – 0.6m (0.66 yards) for $1.50. I love a fabric bargain!

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (3)

I self-drafted the pattern, including buttons at the shoulder (Celeste still naps, so I don’t like having zips or buttons down the back) and the bodice is lined. I used bias tape on the hem to avoid bulkiness.

Ripples Ruffles Spots Dress (2)

The “photo-shoot” was your standard disaster when trying to photograph a 2 year old. You might notice an extra hand in the first photo of Celeste. For some reason, she was scared of standing on the retaining wall, which she usually balances on fine. So big brother had to hold her hand, which resulted in a lot of photos like this:

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (1)

Then she decided she needed to crawl like a baby:

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (5)

And finally we got the pouting toddler face:

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (4)

I gave up and went inside. I tried sneaking a few shots while she was dancing. I really wish I got this one in focus:

Ripples Ruffles and Spots Dress (2)

Oh well, I hope you still get the idea of the dress. I’ll post more photos when it’s been washed a few more times – hopefully the stripes will become a lot more rippled and soft and the lighter pink shades will show through more.

I’m thinking about creating a pattern for this dress (and have a few other options for it dancing around in my head!). What size range would you like to see it in?

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Comments

  1. RaeAnna says

    January 15, 2013 at 5:56 am

    What a cool concept!!! I’ve seen lots of bias tape type dresses with this look but never executed this way! I love it! You should draft a patter/tutorial! Put it up on sewset.com!

  2. thomastwins811 says

    January 15, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    This is awesome!!! & it came out so nice!

  3. thingsforboys says

    January 15, 2013 at 5:32 am

    Love this! I’ve got a chenille blanket on my to do list…never thought to use the technique on clothes.

    • Narelle Heath says

      January 15, 2013 at 5:46 am

      Thanks! I got the inspiration from a very 90s craft book I found at a thrift shop. I’m going to try a few different cutting patterns for different effects. Stay tuned…

  4. Carla Belyea says

    January 15, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Cute dress. I would have never noticed the hand in the first photo of your little girl, if you hadn’t mentioned it. Came here from Sugar Bee Crafts.

  5. Just Crafty Enough says

    January 15, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    It’s a darling dress. I love your ruffling rechnique.

  6. chris says

    January 15, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    Lovely. I’ve never seen that technique used on clothing. It’s darling!

  7. sallyavena says

    January 15, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Very cute idea! I love the dress and the pouty face.

  8. Jenn AJennuineLife says

    January 15, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    I love the fabric manipulation to make the stripes!

  9. Jinxy says

    January 15, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    Amazing dress and model!

  10. Becky Crutcher says

    January 16, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Cute dress for an adorable little model!

  11. Olga says

    January 17, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    I love this idea! Looks very cute.

  12. Frances Suzanne says

    January 18, 2013 at 4:04 am

    What a neat textured, striped effect in the center area! Very eye-catching!!

  13. Simple Simon & Co says

    January 19, 2013 at 4:30 am

    That is great fabric and such a bargain! Darling dress.
    liZ

  14. Shaffer Sisters says

    February 20, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    We featured you on our blog. Thanks for sewing along! http://shaffer-sisters.blogspot.com/2013/02/prp-sew-along-winter-2013.html
    With Love,
    Jo

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