Sometimes you see a dress and decide that you want something like it too. At least, that’s what happened to me when I saw this pin (original link). The original maker used a fabric printed with their favorite quotes and book spines. I wasn’t willing to spend that amount of money on fabric, so I searched high and low and settled on a quilting cotton fabric called Library Books and an off-white linnen look cotton with Letters (in French, I have no idea what they say).
Then for the pattern, the original was based in part on the walkaway dress, and I liked that idea. However, I didn’t want to have my book shelves go all crooked with a circle skirt. So I decided on a pleated design for the skirt part. For the top, I did want something to wrap, so I tested a vintage pattern reproduction from one of my sewing pattern magazines, but I wasn’t satisfied. So I went back to my tried and true, absolutely butchered Garden Party Dress by Honig Patterns (which no longer exists apparently).
I made some changes to the darts in the back, so that my shelves would stay straightish and extended the side seams for the wrap portions. The skirts were both hemmed before being pleated and the off-white section is a little shorter than the book cover layer. Then I decided that I wanted some sleeves because they always make me feel more comfortable. This was a fiddly business because the ones I put in were too tight, so I did some surgery to add a pleat. I think this worked out quite well.
The off-white layer closes in the back with a skirt hook and eye but is left open along the back seam. There are also pockets in the side seam, because a dress without pockets is just pure evil. For the shelve layer, I added buttonholes so I could button them onto the front along the waistline. I think it worked out pretty well. The overlap isn’t perfect on the sides, but it does enough of the job. It’s pretty comfortable to run around in, so I’m happy. My book dress dreams have finally been realized!
As the person who made the original dress you linked to, I am so tickled that you found and liked it. I haven’t touched that blog in almost 10 years and forgot it existed. The reminder that sometimes the internet makes delightful wonderful connections happen was something I needed today. Thank you. Your version is much neater than mine ever was, it’s gorgeous!
Happy Making!
Thank you so much for your comment! I love how something you did 10 years ago, inspired me in the now and that in turn had a positive effect on you again. Tiny big world!