an afternoon in February where I don't need a sweater? Yes please! And also, the trials and tribulations of hand sewing, sans proper patterns.

dress - OldNavy
vest - Etsy
scarf & booties - Forever21
tights - WeLoveColors

This dress has served me well. I hope I can continue to wear it atleast another Spring/Summer before it finally falls apart on me. It was under $20 and started out with puffed sleeves, a deeper neckline, a longer skirt, and various other little differences from what it is now. I have toiled over this dress more times than I can count - taking it in here, cutting fabric there, tuck, tuck, tuck... stitch, stitch, stitch. It's basically a completely different dress than what I originally bought and as a result, has become the most versatile article of clothing I own. But it won't last forever, eventually something will rip beyond repair... after all, I've been wearing it as my main most basic versatile dress for over a year and a half now. It's time I got a couple of new dresses. I could buy them, but when I buy new dresses I'm relegated to Old Navy's plus size options - clingy knits that come in solid colors or awful patterns. I've gone this route in the past, opting for basic black, navy, gray, brown, and just playing them up with scarves and tights and jewelry. I'm tired of it.

Last month I bought a basic gray shift on clearance for $9. I wasn't sure if it would fit me right or work for me in the long run, but I figured that at such a cheap price, I had to take a chance. It arrived and was a little too long and slightly tight in the bust. I was disheartened; the length was something I could easily remedy, the tightness in the bust - not so much. But then a little light bulb lit up above my brain and I realized - This dress has very basic straight lines, it's simple and timeless. This dress could be used as a pattern to create an even better dress in any fabric I want. This could become the pattern for MANY dresses in flirty florals with lots of colors to play off of, accessory-wise. I could create my own wardrobe - finally.

On a mission, armed with an idea, I set off for the fabric store in search of perfection. I found it. Two gorgeous florals, the same pattern, but using different background and flower colors. So many options! Then I got home, traced my own basic pattern, laid out the fabric, started working out in my head which way to cut... only to realize I should have bought 3 yards of each fabric instead of 2. Really? Such an elementary mistake from a girl who has been sewing by hand since she was 4 years old? Yes. Because this girl is not used to working with patterns, has never sewn clothes for an adult body from scratch, and didn't think to cut her pattern and measure it BEFORE heading to the store. It's time for the proverbial headdesk. Right there. Boom.

Thankfully, all is not lost. I think I've devised a babydoll-esque waist that will require a seam and smaller cuts of fabric, thus actually fitting into the swath I brought home from the fabric store. I have yet to test out if this theory is correct or not, but it's something. Better than crying at my own lack of planning and forethought.