Frock by Friday™: The Tara Dress

June 17, 2010


I'm getting ready for June's Frock by Friday. I was having difficulty finding a 'free pattern'. The Tara pattern that Very Purple Person (see image below) had used to make a LOVELY flowy summer frock is not free but it's only $2.50 from Burdastyle. It's a blouse but she turned it into a dress and I'm sure its very simple to do by just lengthening the bottom, which I would show you how to do.
Green dressGreen dress
I think this is a great starter dress for someone who hasn't sewn on before because I'll be using a knit material which doesn't require as much sewing. You can leave the edges raw if you so choose. You don't have to use a knit material for the dress but if you do it will be faster. ONE CAVEAT, if you use a knit material you MUST get a stretch needle for your machine. They sell them at almost any fabric or sewing store. It's basically just a thinner, sharper needle.

I wasn't sure if we should start this on Monday or the Monday after.

What do you think? Are you in?

Images courtesy of Burdastyle & VeryPurplePerson



50 {comments}:

Quinn's mom said... Best Blogger Tips

Working on the shirt this am and would love to see how to make into dress! Love the style and fit of it...ready to start when ever you are!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Oooo, I think this one is a little bit too revealing for my taste. I'll skip this one, but I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next!

Leah Franqui said... Best Blogger Tips

It's really cute but I might just make the shirt because the dress wouldn't look as lovely on me... empire waists are not my friend!

Loving wife to Matthew and 2 amazing kids said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my goodness! I LOVE it! I am SO in and very excited!

Loving wife to Matthew and 2 amazing kids said... Best Blogger Tips

I'll do it whenever you start but if you're asking...PLEASE can we do it the monday after? My daughter's 3rd bday is this week and I'm already over my head in making a Wendy Darling, Peter Pan, Smee, and Captain Hook Costume for the party!

suzy. said... Best Blogger Tips

i'm sold. it's my first one...can't wait to see how it turns out!

Rachel said... Best Blogger Tips

Mmmm... think not. Looks like it would require a strapless bra, which is not my cup of tea.

But I'll play along anyway and use a very similar pattern from fabrics.com.

Fonville Farm said... Best Blogger Tips

I love it! I'd love to make one:)

Allison Przeslawski said... Best Blogger Tips

You rock! ♥
Allison Elizabeth

jennifer said... Best Blogger Tips

this coming monday!! have been waiting to sew this....will you also give direcions on how to do the version without the little ruffle sleeves, just the spagetti straps too!!! ready to start!!

Ane Oti said... Best Blogger Tips

I think this monday is to soon since I have to buy the supplies but if you start it I'll follow anyway, just be a little behind!

andreak said... Best Blogger Tips

Love the sew alongs, but this one is a little too cleavage baring for me. I will enjoy looking at everyone's finished projects though!

Ruhammie said... Best Blogger Tips

I am SO IN! I really appreciate you providing these sew-alongs, they are very motivating. However, I still need to finish the last frock you did. :) I messed up on the placket and got discouraged...now to finish it before the next one. YAY!

Andromache said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this dress!

Eva said... Best Blogger Tips

ooo I'd like to try this out this round :)

phalloeun said... Best Blogger Tips

How about next Mon??? I am excited for this, especially making a whole dress out of a knit. I've never done that before! I am learning so much about sewing thru these frock by fridays. Thank you!!!

Caffeinated Mommy said... Best Blogger Tips

*Jenny, you could always wear a tank top under the dress to cut off the cleavage, which would also mean you don't have to wear a strapless bra, which I'm sure makes every woman in the world happy =o)

MZ said... Best Blogger Tips

Too low cut for me (after two kids the girls are just not the same) - looking forward to the next one though

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm in! I can start this coming Monday (in fact I'd like to so I can have this dress to wear sooner).

Caffeinated Mommy said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, by the way, I think this is so cute! I have always wanted to sew. I have a sewing machine, a kind of new one, but it's having technical difficulties right now. I think I will give this dress a go! Thanks for an easy one =o)

*kate said... Best Blogger Tips

Hmmm. I think I could love this dress, though it's definitely too cleavage-bearing for me. Would you be able to provide any tips for closing that up? I think if it was a spaghetti strap, I could just wear a tank top under. But I'm not sure how that would look with the (pretty) frilly sleeves.

Either way, I think I may give this one a go. I would probably not do a knit material, and I wouldn't be able to start until the week after next (although, if you start it next week, I may just follow behind the rest).

Thanks for doing these follow-alongs. It's really such a blessing to those of us who don't yet have the talent you have.

Brenbren said... Best Blogger Tips

Pretty, but too revealing for my taste. Good luck!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

love it! but have never sewn knit fabircs. any tips on that?
-AK

JanS said... Best Blogger Tips

Nice dress. Something I had always wondered, why did the word "frock," not come to the USA like other English words did? Maybe it was like my English born mother used to say, "frocks" are for the poor, the well to do wore dresses.

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

Love this dress, I'm in!! This week would be great to start it!! :) I've only sewn simple skirts and bags before so this would be a good start for me, I think!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

A little too low cut for the breastless (heh) and my football player shoulders don't do with the flutter sleeve. Yeah, thanks mom and dad for no boobs AND huge shoulders. :) But it's a sweet dress and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

kimmie said... Best Blogger Tips

OOohhh pretty. It IS too revealing for my taste, but I'd just wear it with a camisole underneath. I would prefer the Monday after next. :)

Can't wait!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

i've been meaning to expand my summer dress collection, but have been too scared to get started sewing. this looks totally achievable! i'm in! :)

Samina said... Best Blogger Tips

It's a bit too young & revealing for my post-baby self, so I'll sit this one out & see what you offer next.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm in this time - I've been following all the lovely frocks! I love empire waists, and this looks like the perfect summertime dress to me (now I'm off to find fabric!) I vote for the later Monday, since I will have to order something to make it out of!

Emily said... Best Blogger Tips

Love the fabric on the teal version, but not quite enough coverage for my modest self... I think I'll skip this one - although I'm still working on my last Frock by Friday so that's okay :)

bri kim said... Best Blogger Tips

Totally in, but would love to do the MOnday after

Jana said... Best Blogger Tips

Darling dress--but I wouldn't be able to wear it (too revealing for me) so I'd probably also sit this one out and enjoy seeing everyone else's creations. Love the whole Frock by Friday concept, though--and I wouldn't mind paying the $3-6 for some of those cute Burda online patterns. Thanks for all your wonderful postings!

lajamison said... Best Blogger Tips

Super cute dress. If we start this Monday, Maybe I can take it on vacation with me.

Jessica Peck said... Best Blogger Tips

love it! i just downloaded my first burdastyle pattern last night so i'm in!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

I might even be in, this seems like something that could be adapted to fit my expanding prego belly! :)
for the cleavage issue, a modesty panel could be sewn in, with a bit of lace maybe even. As for the bra strap issue, garments used to have this nifty little addition on the inside of the shoulder that was a snap on a little length of chain-stitches, you used it to 'leash' your bra strap to your garment so they didn't stray off in different directions. An easy little 'couture' fix that might be a nice idea to add into this one!

erin said... Best Blogger Tips

i need to watch a few more before i jump in...i'm not yet versed enough in the sewing world, so i'm sort of glad this one is not quite conservative enough for me! ;)

makes it easier to sit on the sidelines! lol

Taylor said... Best Blogger Tips

i love this dress!

enter my giveaway for free OPI, ESSIE, AND NARS products!!
givemefashionnow.blogspot.com

Leslie said... Best Blogger Tips

I'd be in but.... my top half would FALL OUT of that dress- humorously so....
I'll be interested to see the photo pool afterward to see if anyone came up with an easy alteration for such a problem. :)

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm in for which ever Monday you decide, I already have the pattern and I'll be stashbustin' this one!

Sarah O. said... Best Blogger Tips

I've had my eye on the Tara pattern. How much fabric do you suppose I'd need to turn this into a Maxi if I'm about 5'4?

Inevitable Sailor said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, it's cute.
Could you include tips on making a modesty panel or mods that might make it less revealing? I'd be be "busting" out of this one if it wasn't modded.

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Is this too different from the Bambi (http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/bambi)? Bambi is free, and I'd like to use it instead. I also think it's low, but as a nightie, low is good ;)
I'm thinking if wearing it with a tank or under a cardigan won't work, I could still use it around the house. The important thing for me is improving my skills and this is as good an exercise as any.
Thanks so much for your help!!!
jo

MK said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm in! I have a gorgeous stash of pastel mint green knit that's begging to be made into a dress... I'm in the middle of winter here in Melbourne Australia at the moment.. but this would look great with a long sleeve woolen top underneath and boots
:)

shannon said... Best Blogger Tips

How fun....would love to try!

Decor To Adore said... Best Blogger Tips

I adore the colors used in the dress. Perfect for summer.

Claire (aka Seemane) said... Best Blogger Tips

This will be my first sew-along :) (yippee!). I've downloaded my pattern and have got fabric, just need to buy some elastic now! I will probably lengthen the bottom curve of the sleeves (pattern piece no. 5) and taper the lengthen-portion back to the edges (i.e. where it is joined/sewn onto the bodice) as I want to cover up my arms a teensie bit more LOL! I may also need to figure out how to do a FBA on the "bra" piece (piece no. 1) as I am an E-cup (UK sizing) and BurdaStyle make their patterns as standard for a B-cup (although from the photos of previously completed "Projects" on the BS site I can see that other fullsome-ly endowed ladies have managed quite well through the courtesy of the gathers incorporated into this design).. so when making it up I may cut out the bra-piece from muslin (calico in the UK) first of all…. & if it looks wrong/correct I can then adjust the bra-pattern from there & cut it out the "final" bra pieces from my fashion-fabric safe in the knowledge that it "will" fit me properly! :)

Rachel @ Pigs In Pajamas said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm in. This looks like a cute pattern--perfect for summer. I already have some fabric I can use, but I'd rather start a week from Monday.

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Love it - I'm in!

Might I also suggest Maryy for the future?

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/maryy

Free & hella cute :)

So excited! :D

Alice Barton said... Best Blogger Tips

next monday!!!
i have been looking forward to this pattern for so long! and i have never sewn anything with knit!!
yay! great!!! what an excitement!!

 
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