The Sweatshop of Love Blog

So Part 1 was my boxy top and Part 2 was my Built By Wendy top. You know I had to mix it up a bit for Part 3!

The third and final finished sewing project from Saturday’s sewing binge is another revisited pattern. I made the Built By Wendy Knit Dress the first time in a striped material. The pattern is so freaking wearable I knew I wanted 100 more.

Built By Wendy Knit Dress

And when I saw this ridiculous apple material it was a match made in heaven. I was so desperate for it that I cut my finger open trying to pull the bolt of fabric out from the bottom of the bargain pile. Seriously blood everywhere. I had to ask the fabric store owner for a band-aid.

Worth the Pain

SO worth it, though! I would do it again. I mean, apples?! It’s too silly not to love.

Just Chillin

I didn’t change the pattern one bit from the first dress. It’s good just the way it is.

Pattern: Built By Wendy Knit Dress, Pattern A

Fabric: Bargain Apple Print Jersey

Paired With: Gladiator sandals from Payless, leopard print glasses from Forever 21

Back in April I knit the Traveling Woman Shawl, because I taught that shawl in Lace Shawl Class and needed to knit my way through it first, obviously. I really loved the pattern, but it ended up too small for me to wear normally. Small kerchief-y shawls are fun and wearable for lots of knitters, but I like a little substance to my shawls.

Big Traveling Woman!

So I upped the weight of the yarn from sock yarn to worsted. This time I used Patons Bamboo Silk blend and size 7 needles.

Lots O Lace!

Now there is lots of fabric for actual warmth-giving. The color is great – super silky silver-gray – and this Paton’s Bamboo Silk has a beautiful drape. It’s cool, too; not remotely itchy and perfect for a summer wrap.

Oh! Have I Seen That Dress Before?

I’m rocking it with my Built By Wendy Knit Dress! I look shiny because it’s 90 degrees out and I really don’t need to be wearing a shawl.

(I was totally right about this dress! I wear it all the time.)

BIG Traveling Woman Lace Shawl

If I were a lil chilly, however, this shawl is the perfect size! I could just throw it over my shoulders and roll.

… it’s not, though. So I’m going to take it off and save it for September.

Pattern: Feministy.com’s Traveling Woman

Yarn: Paton Bamboo Silk, 4 skeins

Needles: Size 7 24″ circulars

Ravelry Project Page

Built By Wendy Knit Dress

(remember when it was 80 degrees last week? that is when I was running around in this fun knit dress.)

I swear I have non Built By Wendy patterns. I know it doesn’t look like that, since ALL of my finished garments have been Built By Wendy, (this dress and this top) but it just goes to show how adorable her patterns are.

Take a peek at this dress, for instance.

It’s simple and easy to wear. I threw in some silly striping and a front seem to get an off center stripe pattern, just for fun.

The neckline is super flattering. The length is windy day proof (tested it myself!).

(see my knee injury? left over from my fall a few weeks ago!)

And, above all, this dress was SO easy to throw together! I was nervous because sewing with knits is supposed to be hard and puckery and I’d need a serger, whatever that is. But I had no problems! At least any that I can see. Which is all that matters, right?

Built By Wendy Knit Dress Side View

Pretty Princess!

With the stripes in the fabric I knew I had to play with them or ignore them and hope it all worked out. I decided to play with them! I changed the direction of the stripes for the side panels and split them up for the front panels, just to make it a little more interesting.

Racer-back

The racer-back shape is really flattering, too! Shows off my shoulders while allowing for large armholes. GREAT for super hot summer days when you can’t help but sweat, but don’t really want everyone knowing about it.

I’m in love. I want 6 more. And will probably make 6 more. It’s the perfect dress for summer. I love outfits that involve one piece.

I was planning on rocking this dress this past weekend at Colleen’s bachelorette party Saturday night but the weather could not hold out. I rebounded with this not-very-interesting look:

Styling Green Tights

Twin Cities Headband in Blackberry

Black shirt, bubble skirt, green tights, purple shoes, Twin Cities Headband in Blackberry. Not that interesting.

I was not foreseeing, however, everyone else at the bachelorette party to be wearing jeans. When you wear green tights you know you are going to stand out a little bit, especially in the suburbs.

But when you are wearing green tights with 12 other girls wearing jeans you feel a little silly.

Thanks a lot, ladies.

The headband rocks, though.