Monday, March 31, 2014

Making Shift

When I saw this babyGAP tulip shift dress, I knew three things. One, I wanted just such a dress for Rosa. Two, there was no way I would spend $33 to acquire said dress from GAP. And three, the solution to my dilemma would be to create my own version!

So far, this is a close as I've gotten:




The difficulty with trying to recreate an exisiting garment that you really like is that it's a bit disappointing if your version isn't identical. But, I'm reconciling myself to "semi-failure," because I actually like how it turned out! It's not quite the chic, casual dress I was trying to recreate, but that's okay. Because Rosa looks sweet in it, anyway.

The fabric is from my stash (I don't buy new fabric for trial runs!). I love the tulip sleeves -- they look much better when filled with chubby toddler arms, by the by.




The back of the dress is a simple button-up-the-back kind of deal. No plackets, no fuss. Five pink buttons from my "button hoard," salvaged from an old shirt and just waiting for this project. 




I'm still brainstorming ways to make my pattern a bit more like the original GAP dress (squarer, narrower yoke? A little less A-line? Longer, deeper armscye?), but for the time being, this works for me.




Does anyone have a quick-fix for "can't-stop-making-clothes-for-my-daughter" syndrome? 'Cause so far I haven't found any effective remedies...

14 comments:

  1. Your version is adorable, Shannon! Looking at the website though, it looks like they've already put it on sale. It IS a cute dress, and I can see why you wanted to recreate it. :)

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    1. Cheri,

      Thank you for your kind words! I did notice the sale when I posted -- looks like the dress can be had for $18 with a coupon code now. When I made this, the dress was part of a new collection and was decidedly not on sale. Oh well, mine was still cheaper! ;-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  2. Hi, Shannon--

    I read here occasionally, but this may be my first time actually posting a comment! :)

    What a sweet dress you've made for your daughter--good for you for being able to do it the way you did. I think it's a great imitation of the Gap dress!

    You were asking for some suggestions--I'm not a designer so I can't speak with any great authority, but what I noticed about the Gap dress is that it's a tone-on-tone fabric, whereas your fabric is a lighter cotton and has color to the flowers. Not a huge difference for a little one, really, but in comparing the two, that's one difference in the "personality". I would get a tone-on-tone print denim or heavier cotton and then make the yoke slightly narrower and eliminate some of the fullness in the skirt (because of the weight of the fabric).

    Also, the front neckline is more of a squarish 'U' curve on the Gap dress, and yours is more of a "smile" shape-just something else I noticed.

    Really, there is nothing wrong with yours--I wouldn't classify it as a failure at all! It could just end up being "variation #2" or something like that. :)

    I don't have any solutions for "quick-fixes"--I say, keep going with it, and if you end up with too many clothes for your little girl, gift them to someone else who would appreciate them. I actually had more time when my children were that age to do more complicated sewing projects, so take advantage of that in case that turns out to be true for you as well. Enjoy these years while you can get a garment out of a yard of fabric or so--time flies by so fast, and before you know it, they are taller and take more fabric than you do! :)

    Thanks for sharing your projects with us!

    Krista

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    1. Krista,

      Thank you for your kind (and helpful!) comments! I think you are quite right about the fabric -- I was using what I had on hand because I didn't want to invest in a "mock up," but I have a feeling that different fabrics would give this dress a totally different feel. A lightweight denim like the original, for instance, or even a corduroy or dotted swiss. A less patterned fabric would also accentuate the tulp sleeves, which are really the best part of this dress. Also, I appreciate your helpful suggestions for a more accurate knock-off! I think I might give it another go with a few modifications.

      Thank you for your comment! It's a pleasure to "meet" you! :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  3. This is so sweet! I think I like your version better. :-)

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    1. Aww, thank you, Lily! :-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  4. It's beautiful! I actually like it better than the original :)

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    1. Thanks, Teri! I'm feeling better and better about this project now. ;-)

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  5. Like the other commenters have said, yours is much prettier, I much prefer it :-)

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    1. Rachel,

      You are all too sweet! :-) Thank you for your kind words!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  6. Shannon,

    What an adorable dress!! I love the fabric you choose. I remember we used a lot of that fabric for our business when it was available, we were disappointed when it was discontinued.

    You did a great job replicating the Gap dress, especially considering you did not have it on hand to copy! I can imagine it would be hard not sew dresses for your little girl all the time- it looks like too much fun. : )

    -Sarah

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    1. Sarah,

      I'm a huge fan of that fabric, as well (I guess that's obvious :-). It's such a charming print. And thank you for your sweet comment!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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  7. Part of the joy of sewing is being able to create your own version of a design, rather than an exact copy of someone else's. I personally like yours better because of the extra fullness as it leaves more room for your little one to move freely. Manufacturers skimp on fabric wherever they can to cut costs. I think the fabric is adorable - very appropriate for a little girl.

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    1. Thank you for your thoughtful comment! I do have to agree about fullness -- sometimes I'm surprised by how little "room" there is in children's clothing (and who came up with the idea of skinny jeans for babies? Poor little things. :-). Thanks again for your kind words!

      Blessings,
      Shannon

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