Polka Dot Midi

When I buy clothes that I know full well need alterations, often they will sit in my closet for months, or even years before I get around to doing them. There once was a time when my sewing machine was a permanent fixture in the room, and I prided myself on stitching together my own creations. But I was always afraid. Afraid of messing up, of ruining the piece. To force myself to move forward, I'd just rationalize that I could always go back to Joann Fabrics and buy more material and start again. Yet, that self doubt always caused me to dislike my creations. I have almost nothing left in my closet that I made myself.

When I know a dress needs a simple hem, it intimidates me. This dress was nearly maxi length on me, and deciding to chop off six inches made me fearful. The slippery silk refused to be cut in a straight, clean line, and once again I wanted to just give up and let the dress sit unfinished.

I had plans to meet up with five other bloggers last Friday, and I wanted my polka dot dress to be a reality, so I forced myself to finish. I know the hem isn't perfect. The stitches are crooked in some places, a tiny pucker here and there, a raw edge inside by the buttons. It isn't perfect, but it's done. Sometimes done is better than good.

 Brown polka dot midi dress, toe cap heels, bamboo bag-7.jpg Brown polka dot midi dress, toe cap heels, bamboo bag-2.jpg Brown polka dot midi dress, toe cap heels, bamboo bag-9.jpg Brown polka dot midi dress, toe cap heels, bamboo bag-10.jpg Brown polka dot midi dress, toe cap heels, bamboo bag-6.jpg
The Rundown
Polka Dot Shirt Dress Kate Hill via ebay similar
Toe Cap Pumps "Varesse 70" Shoes of Prey
Vintage Japanese Bamboo Bag via eBay similar vintage
Versailles Earrings  Julie Vos similar
 Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box
 Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Ellyn Blue Jewelry
Nail Color "Caviar Bar" Essie




25 comments

  1. It looks like it turned out really well to me. And I'm impressed that you tackled it in the first place - I always feel far too intimidated to do small fixes like that and it leads me to often pass on clothing items that really would work wonderfully for me if I was just prepared to a bit of effort into some small fixes.

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  2. The fact that you have the required skill to alter your own clothes at all will never cease to impress me. My mom sews. My great grandmother was a seamstress. I always expected I would be reasonably good at it, but I was proven terribly wrong in my first sewing class in seventh grade. The sewing machine terrified me. I was slow and shaky at best, my creations poorly cut and badly puckered. In eighth grade, when I had less direction, I only fared worse. In ninth grade, the last year I was forced to take the class, the only reason I passed at all was that my grade was weighted with the mark I got in graphic design, which lifted my average above 50%. Luckily I do have my mom to make alterations for me, but not being able to do even imperfect alterations myself remains a source of disappointment for me after all these years, I admit. From where I'm sitting, this dress looks absolutely perfect :)
    xox,
    Cee

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  3. It's lovely as a midi and the vintage bag is perfect. I also buy pieces that need altering and the sit around forever. One of my big regrets is not learning to sew. I hope to pick it up eventually!

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  4. I have learned not to let perfection get in my way, Lydia!! No one ever notices those "imperfections" that we see when we are altering items!! And the dress is gorgeous!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  5. Good thing you finally got around to alter that dress, it looks lovely on you.

    xo
    Pinksole

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  6. I am impressed you did it yourself, and to me it looks great! I like it this length.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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  7. It looks perfect to me. This dress fits so well.
    Sometimes we see flaws in things that go totally un noticed for others. Its both a gift and a burden.

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  8. I think done IS better than good, although I think it looks great! I tend to be a perfectionist and often avoid things if I know I can't do them as well as I'd like to, but its something I'm trying to be better at. I love how the dress turned out though, and it's so great with those shoes--such a classic combo.

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  9. The dress turned out beautiful.. great job. You look great!

    http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

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  10. love the dots, and that bag is perfectly summery for this look!

    XO Sahra
    Que Sera Sahra

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  11. That dress is so pretty! I love the way it looks on you.
    https://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

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  12. This dress is so chic! I love the midi length and polka dots!

    <3 Shannon 
    Upbeat Soles

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  13. Very nice and elegant polka dot dress, lovely color and perfect classy low heels to go with!

    https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/06/29/the-clash/

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  14. That is a beautiful dress on you and I think you did a great job with the hem! I can't even sew a button on so I have so much respect for people who actually know their way around a sewing machine! :)

    Hope you are having a nice start to your week :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

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  15. I think it turned out really well!! So glad you decided to go through with the hem of this dress! You have to be proud of your work and this dress is really cute and I do like the mid-length a lot!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  16. Ah you look gorgeous and you would never know the hem wasn't perfect! I completely agree that done is sometimes better than good. I can be something of a perfectionist at times but honestly it can hold me back! x

    Kate Louise Blogs

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  17. Wow, you did this yourself? I never really learned how to sew, and I swear one day I will! It's such a great skill to have. You look fabulous!

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  18. You are being too hard on yourself! I think it's beautiful on you! I love it at this length!

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  19. I love the dress! It looks amazing and it's finished! Nicely done. I do my own sewing and mending and hemming on things as well. I too keep things to the side and have to build up the courage to allow myself to not get it perfectly. But when I do it I end up loving it and it gets worn!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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  20. This midi in polka dots looks awesome! Great length and ideally styled with a wooden clutch bag and block heels.
    Kisses,
    Pamela from http://wardrobefocus.com

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  21. This dress turned out wonderfully and I love how you styled it here for summer. =)

    I hope you are having a great week so far!

    Amber

    https://www.avecamber.com
    https://www.bloglovin.com/avecamber

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  22. Now that's a beautiful classic you got there dear. So simple, yet so pretty and classy. And so cute on you!

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

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  23. Such cute outfits and love how affordable they are! Thanks for sharing!

    -Emily | www.TheEmilyEdition.com

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  24. Lovely dress, Lydia!
    This looks perfect on you.. :)

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