I'm sure your first thought is: "Erica, it's hot as hell outside? Why leather, sis?" Because you can wear leather and faux leather all year, even in the scorching hot months. Leather is no warmer than denim, in my opinion. Plus, I have no plans to be standing outside, you know! I move from one air conditioned spot to the next. Now, on to this cute dress...

It all started when I saw this cute faux leather dress from a brand called Nanushka. They make the best faux leather pieces. They all look amazing. I'd ordered this Powder Blue Faux Leather from Minerva and I knew it would be perfect in replicating this dress.

I used McCall's 8086 and I made several changes. First, I cut a straight hem that stopped mid-thigh.

I shortened the sleeves and drafted a hidden button placket.

I edge stitched all of my seams. And I drafted a belt.

I added a center back seam and I made a full seat adjustment.

I edge stitched these seams also.

I cut a straight 14 with no alterations. The dress is meant to be a little blouse over the drawstring waist, so it had enough ease that I didn't have to do a FBA.

I love a simple design with good sewing details. This dress has a hidden button placket. 

And it's details like that, that make my sewing heart happy.

I love the sleeve tabs. The sleeves are meant to be up all of the time. And that's fine by me.

The one thing I didn't like is that the yoke was cut in one piece. I hate when some the patterns come like that. You NEVER see ready-to-wear yokes like that. I cut mine in two pieces so that the inside would be beautifully finished. Here's my tutorial for How to Sew a Shirt Yoke.

I didn't add any additional length. I'm pretty much over ground dragging maxis. I like for mine to hit at the ankle. This way, I know this dress will work with heels or flats and most importantly, I'm not tripping over the hem.

A good shirt dress is a classic wardrobe staple. And based on how many shirt dresses I've sewn over the years and a couple are still in my current wardrobe, they're a favorite of mine. 

I wanted something this time that put a different spin on the classic dress. This one is McCall's 7351, view C. And my fabric is Jet Black Stretch Cotton Poplin from Mood Fabrics.com. I prewashed my fabric and pulled it straight from the dryer and smoothed it out with the iron prior to cutting. The fabric cuts, sews and presses beautifully.

This is one of those great patterns that has cup sizing -- meaning no FBA for me. I cut a straight size 14, with the D cup.

I lengthened the bodice by an inch, which is an alteration that I make to practically every single pattern I sew. And anyone with a substantial sized bust knows the feeling of getting a great bodice fit on a button up top with no gaping and pulling. So kudos to the cup sized pattern and this amazing poplin with it's slight give. I plan to make this again in a bright white, and when I do I'll lower those pockets probably about .5"-.75" inches.

Since my fabric is lightweight, I needed a comparable interfacing. I used Black Weft Fusible Interfacing. It is the perfect weight for the front bands and the collar.

I sewed the skirt straight from the envelope. I like the length as it is. 

This poplin drapes beautifully. And just like with any bias cut, I allowed the dress to hang for 24 hours. Even though stretching can still occur in bias cuts, this handkerchief hem will hide any unevenness.

I am pretty impressed with this fabric. There was minimal wrinkling even after riding in a car.

I can tell you now, this dress will be in high rotation this season. I love the simple and quick style and the versatility. Shoe options are endless and all I have to do is add a great belt for waist-cinching style!

It's the first day of spring and boy, was I ready! It's almost 80°, sunny and just beautiful outside. For the last couple of weeks right after the move, I came down with the flu. I don't know if it was already baking or if it was because I was super exhausted. But I'm so glad I'm feeling better right now and I'm enjoying my new sewing studio. But let's talk about this dress!

This dress is Vogue 1488, by DKNY. 

Unfortunately, this pattern is discontinued. If you all remember last year, the licensor of the Donna Karan trademarks decided to end pattern licensing with McCall Pattern Company. So when Hancock Fabrics closed their doors last year, I gobbled up every single Donna Karan Collection/DKNY pattern that I didn't already have in my collection that I wanted. And this was one of them. If you want this pattern, I suggest searching Etsy.com or eBay.

This design is from the DKNY Pre-Fall 2013 Collection. 

For my dress, I cut the size 14 and lengthened it by one inch at the waist. My fabric is this delicious designer Bright Rose Crepe from Mood Fabrics.com. It's a poly/acetate crepe with an amazing drape. It's absolutely gorgeous visually and to the touch.

Love the way that turned out.

A favorite detail are the yokes. The front and back yokes have mock tucks. I think this is such a polished look.

And the sleeves are perfect for warm weather.

The sleeves have narrow hems with back-folded cuffs...

and button tabs.

Since I currently live too far to just run to JoAnn's for buttons, I found these in Walmart. And they're super cute. They look like spring!

I'm so happy with the way my first spring piece turned out. It's great motivation to keep sewing and I'm so excited about new clothes!

I seem to have a renewed love of maxi dresses.  So this is going to be a thing for a moment.  My latest one is McCall's 7242.  I researched this pattern and I found only a handful of iterations.  I'm not sure why, because this pattern has great bones.  It's a maxi shirt dress.  What's not to love?

The lines of this dress are so simple, it screamed out for heavily patterned fabric.  I'd found this ikat print at Hancock and I bought what was left on the bolt -- a little over 4 yards.  It's a poly chiffon.

I cut the 12 in the bodice and the 14 in the skirt.  For this style of dress, the skirt is cut very slim.  It's really straight.  If you're significantly heavier on the bottom, rely on the finished measurements on the pattern pieces.  They're accurate.  You may have to go up from you usually pattern size, 

I added length to the bodice, the skirt and the ruffle.  This sleeveless dress took all 4 yards of the fabric.  Instead of creating French seams, I serged my seams.  This fabric was shredding like crazy so it was best to just get it done.  

I also partially lined the skirt.  That is the only part that concerned me.

There is also a hook an eye at the elastic waist.

The armhole has a bias binding finish.

And I finished my ruffle with a narrow hem.

I decided to accessorize my dress with a Tassel Rope Belt.  Here's how I made mine:

What you need:

First, I made my suede tassels.  Mine are 1.25" x 4".  You have to cut fringe into the suede/leather first.  I did this by creating a 1/4" guideline.  My fringe are about 1/8" wide.  You can measure these off and draw guidelines or you can eyeball them as I did.  And make sure you don't cut through your guideline.  You'll need a sharp pair of scissors or a rotary cutter like I used.

String your beads on first.

Appy your hot glue to the guideline of the fringe, but not too much!

Tightly roll your fringe guideline around the end of the rope

Slide your bead down over your fringe and work it into place over the guideline.

And repeat for the other side.