DIY – Sheer Shoulders

Posted on April 18, 2011 by lillipilli

Dress: DIY! (From “Macaron” @ Colette Patterns)

So, I totally made this dress myself. In a day. And I only had to use the unpicker once.

This dress – and this incarnation of it – can be traced back to a dress that I fell head-over-heels in love with yeeeeears ago from Queen of Heartz Clothing.

The sweetheart neckline and sheer shoulders sent me on months of hunting for something similar (that I could afford) but the cheapest and cheerfullest (and most satisfying) way was to DIY using the fantastically straightforward “Macaron” pattern from Colette.

This is the second Macaron dress that I’ve made – The first used a much bolder palette – and I fudged the pattern a little so that there were no pockets, no contrast waistband, and sheer silk shoulders.

I’m looking a little crumpled here, and I think that for my THIRD macaron dress (and yes – there’ll definitely be a third) I’ll use a more wear-friendly knit fabric.

42 thoughts on “DIY – Sheer Shoulders”

Ashley on April 18, 2011 at 10:17 pm said:

I love this dress, so cute I love Colette patterns too!
I bought a couple of pairs of Luvees after reading one of your early posts. It’s only just getting warm here, so I haven’t tried them yet. Do you still wear yours? How are they holding up?
Ashley x

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:14 pm said:
  
  I definitely do, Ashley. Several seasons in a row now. They really hold up well!
  
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  - Ashley on April 24, 2011 at 7:34 pm said:
    
    Yay, thats great to hear! I have three pairs, so I should be good for many summers to come I finally got to try them out, and they’re amazing!
    Ashley x
    
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Mrs. McAwesome on April 18, 2011 at 10:24 pm said:

beautiful! Want to make me one?

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:14 pm said:
  
  LOL, maybe once I get really REALLY good at them. At the moment I’m not sure I can subject anyone to my amateur sewing skills!
  
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Anna on April 19, 2011 at 12:20 am said:

OMG! Amazing!

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:13 pm said:
  
  LOL, thanks Anna
  
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Monkey (Claire) on April 19, 2011 at 2:16 am said:

Lil! I am in awe of your talents!! Wow wow wow!

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Em on April 19, 2011 at 3:17 am said:

In a day? Wow it’s beautiful

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:13 pm said:
  
  Thankyou, Em.
  
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Bella on April 19, 2011 at 5:47 am said:

It’s just breathtaking! You are so talented! How I wish I had the ability to sew up a dress in a week, imagine a day! I love the color of the material. It makes for such a feminine and delicate look. The sweetheart neckline suits you perfectly!

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Bella!
  
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Pink Penguin on April 19, 2011 at 7:00 am said:

This is absolutely beautiful, you have done a wonderful job! Going to check out the pattern right now hehe xxx

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Pink Penguin! The pattern’s wonderful.
  
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Kat on April 19, 2011 at 7:06 am said:

I love this pattern! I have made it once but have plans to make another one. I wanted to make one using lace for the top section and a cute pink floral for the rest.

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks sounds great, Kat! What fabrics did you use for the first one?
  
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Cilla on April 19, 2011 at 8:13 am said:

well aren’t you gorgeous?

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:09 pm said:
  
  LOL, thanks Cilla
  
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Amy on April 19, 2011 at 8:36 am said:

Wow, that looks awesome! You are so talented, I wouldn’t even know how to turn a sewing machine on

Question for you, since I know you love Etsy – can you recommend any sellers who would custom make formal bridesmaidy dresses? I am to be a bridesmaid and half of us are in Aus and half in the UK, and they want them to be matching – Etsy is the only way I can think of making that work!

Any links would be super greatly appreciated!

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:08 pm said:
  
  I think the three stores I’d go to for Bridesmaid dresses on etsy would be:
  Michelle Tan – http://www.etsy.com/shop/MichelleTan
  Sohomode – http://www.etsy.com/shop/sohomode
  Ananya – http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ananya
  
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Cassy on April 19, 2011 at 9:49 am said:

Gorgeous! I scrolled down to check where you bought it so I could get one too. You did an amazing job. Now I guess I need to learn to sew (I won’t, but it’s good to have dreams)

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks Cassy!
  
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fiona on April 19, 2011 at 10:30 am said:

oh WOW the sheer shoulders look so amazing! You’re so talented<3

misstea & co.

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:03 pm said:
  
  Thanks Fiona
  
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kasia on April 19, 2011 at 4:58 pm said:

That’s fantastic Lilli, very very professional! I think a sense a talent somewhere.
Sorry, I’m not intending to pry!, but have you lost weight? You look fantastic!! I’d really love to know your secret- really!

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:03 pm said:
  
  Hi Kasia – I couldn’t tell you, actually! I threw my scales out years ago (never been happier). I think if I have got a secret it’s Being Happy!
  
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Amna on April 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm said:

OMG Lilly, you MUST have your own label. I spent hours today at Chadstone and this dress of yours is the best dress I have seen today. How I wish it was available in my size for purchase
maybe..soon we will be shopping at our own Lillipilli’s niche boutique here

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 10:01 pm said:
  
  LOL, thanks Amna – Maybe one day!
  
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Adrienne on April 19, 2011 at 11:22 pm said:

You are seriously talented-what a beautiful dress! It looks amazing on you.

Adrienne

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:59 pm said:
  
  Thankyou, Adrienne
  
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Letilor on April 20, 2011 at 5:18 am said:

Waaaa lovely outfit, beautiful dress.

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:56 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Letilor
  
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Kris on April 20, 2011 at 11:03 am said:

Oh, that’s gorgeous! Did you cut a straight size, or did you make adjustments? I have the pattern, but it’s intimidating me.

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:54 pm said:
  
  Hi Kris,
  I made the size 18, but I had to bring the bodice down a little. I was impressed by how easy the pattern instructions were – take the first steps and you might be surprised. I’m anything but a consummate dressmaker and I found it pretty doable.
  
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Karen on April 20, 2011 at 11:57 am said:

I love it. I really do. I went back to the original dress you made and remember loving the fabric but wondering (because I’m not much of a belt girl) what it would look like without the contrast belt. And lo! Lilli delivers. What fun. I hope you enjoy wearing it.

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:49 pm said:
  
  Thanks Karen – I wasn’t entirely sold on the contrast belt myself.
  
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S on April 21, 2011 at 1:39 am said:

Ugh this would have been perfect for a wedding I have this weekend. Typical! Wish I knew how to sew. It looks beautiful

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:21 pm said:
  
  Thanks, S!
  
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Katherine on April 21, 2011 at 6:14 pm said:

Oh wow, what a beautiful dress and all the more special because you made it

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- lillipilli on April 21, 2011 at 9:14 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Katherine!
  
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boldaslove on April 22, 2011 at 10:57 pm said:

you look gorgeous! i just bought this pattern & i’m so excited to get sewing with it! yay!

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DIY – Sheer Shoulders

42 thoughts on “DIY – Sheer Shoulders”

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