Constructing: Brycen Tartan Dress

Thursday, November 11, 2010

This is my version of the Ruffled Plaid Dress from Anthropologie.

I love, love the dichotomy of fabric normally associated with baggy menswear being manipulated into something with ruffles and structure.

I already had this fabric, but hadn't planned on making a piece so intricate when I bought it, so I didn't really have enough fabric to completely match up the plaid, which will annoy you if you're a stickler about that sort of thing. It bothers me, but not enough that I won't wear this little number out.


Piece by piece, it comes together. It was at this point, my husband saw all this on the table and said, "I just don't get where you're going with this." Aahh, so little faith...


Aren't these horses just so crazy beautiful?
I'm the girl who's skittish around goldfish, so for me to get out in this field with nothing between myself and these huge animals was really sort of amazing. And just look at the mud on my Seychelles (or is that something else...ahem.)

I included a tutorial on how to make the shoelace corsage here.
I actually put in flutter sleeves and bias sleeves before settling on good ol' set-in sleeves. There was already so much going on--the length, the print, the ruffles, that I really liked how these imitated the simple silhouette of the dress.
Hmm...I think I might have made a life-long friend.

I know, I know, a tea-length dress! But if you saw anything from the runways recently,

Nina Ricci

Marc Jacobs

Peter Som

you know that tea-length is going to be trickling down the chain for a while. And if I'm gonna put this much effort into something, I want it to be relevant for at least a couple years!



Come on, big guy...I promise not to hurt you. hehehe...



(Kristina J. Brycen Tartan Dress, Anthropologie Mystery Watch, Target Belt,
Seychelles Kiss At Midnight Pumps, J.Crew Opaque Socks)

So, that's it! I'll be posting another Reader's Choice poll soon with items for you to vote on based on suggestions I've received through e-mail. Don't forget to put your name in for the free dress through the page above and most importantly...
have a FANTABULOUS weekend!

38 comments:

  1. oh my goodness...those horses are beautiful. (as are you, of course)
    this dress has everything that i love...plaid, ruffles, and tea length.
    LOVE IT!!!
    xoox

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  2. Aww those look like some sweet old buddies you have there! *LOVE* And that dress is amazing amazing amazing! I love it, it's a billion times better than the Anthro version. You are just so talented and gorgeous to boot!

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  3. Cute pix Kristina!--Eleanor

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  4. Wow, I love your dress! You are so talented. Hope I can get to your level one day, ha ;)

    Beautiful photos! Also, I love your "Kristina J" tag! So pretty..

    KF x

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  5. wow, you made it??? thats amazing.

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  6. This came together in spectacular fashion!!!I love it!The tea length is timeless. I would absolutely buy this. I think it beats out the dress it's based on by a mile..plus it's red!

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  7. I agree with Mandy and Courtnee -- your version is a major improvement over Anthro's. The ruffles drape better and the wonky fit issues are completely eliminated. The shoelace corsage is precious and quirky at the same time. And what majestic equine photo partners you have!

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  8. Oh my! when i first saw these pics, i thought "huh - is this the new colourway of the Ruffle Plaid dress??". but then i realised it was your creation! Well done again Kristina! Another fantastic construction, that showcases your talent. You are SO good my lovely!

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  9. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JS

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  10. You girls are just so crazy flattering! So glad you love it, since I obviously adore it! Constructing dresses like this makes me soooo excited to be able to sew! =)

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  11. Kristina, You should teach these crazy good skill you have to others, so a person like me can benefit from your awesome skill!!!! Aw.. the dress is so beaufitul, I don't even care much of the original Anthro version! and tea-length is totally hot!

    Jin,

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  12. Kristina,

    I must say that I love your version of the anthro dress better. The plaid fabric is lovely. And the flower detail adorable.

    You look like you have been around horses all your life. And men never get the process , but usually can appreciate the final outcome in the end.

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  13. Holy molly, Kristina, you are a knock out! I'd never believe you had those kiddies. Just look at your great shape. And yeah, I am ashamed at my lack of sewing skills. Mostly, I get so frustrated that my stitching is uneven. But, practice, practice, practice. I hope someday I could be half as good of a sewer as you.

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  14. I am really sad I never picked up on my mom's sewing skills. You seriously make me want to run out and join a sewing class! Fantastic work on the dress, it looks perfect! Also, I know nothing about horses but they sure are beautiful! Lovely post :)

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  15. Kristina, you're cool beans. And neato-torpedo. And you make things look so easy-breezy-lemon-squeasy. I love it. How do you like them apples?

    (Sorry - it's Friday.)

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  16. Okay, I thought Cat was just joking about going out and getting our own horses to accessorize with, like the models in last months Anthro catalog - but LOOK AT YOU! Squeal - I love the photo shoot, you look completely comfortable around those beautiful horses!

    I absolutely love your new creation - the dress is beautiful and beautiful on you! Loving your straight hair updo too, and heck those ankle socks? Adorable! Just when I was feeling all good about myself for trying knee-highs....I've got to go bolder!!!! You are such a doll, Kristina J.!

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  17. Great dress! I love the length on you with your shoes and socks! Great photos too!

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  18. Kristina, beautiful girl, beautiful dress ( can I say wow?), beautiful setting. Your post looked like a catalogue page, nicely done. I love you pairing the shoes with socks, so cute, but not overly so. Great balance overall.

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  19. OMG!! I love love love (plus 10 more 'love's) that dress. It's gorgeous! Just everything about it, but especially the fabric and the length!

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  20. Beautiful dress! I love these photos with the horses :0)

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  21. Wow I think I prefer your version Kristina! I wish I could make clothes, what a brilliant talent to have, fantastic :)

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  22. Your dress is gorgeous! I love what you did with the bodice!

    Melanie@UnravelledThreads
    Follow @UnraveldTreads on Twitter!

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  23. Wow, what an incredible post! I am so glad that you commented on my blog, because I found yours! I love horses, I love your dress, I love your talent. Keep it coming, seriously!

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  24. are you freaking kidding me! You are AMAZING! I am dying over you and your beautiful dress! DYING!!!!!!

    (ps love the tea length!)

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  25. I LOVE THIS DRESS!!! It looks amazing on you, too. Way to be bold with the horses :) THanks for linking up. You have some serious skills!

    Cheri

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  26. Gorgeous dress! I've been thinking about making a plaid dress.

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  27. You made this??!? Omg ~ I LOVE it! Honestly, I've been coveting that dress at Anthro and I think your version is so, so much cuter! Fantastic job - I'm CRAZY for plaid. I would buy this dress in a heartbeat!! ~ Susan

    www.littlemissfanciepants.blogspot.com

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  28. Popping in from I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar.. I love the plaid for this dress, the corsage goes perfectly with it. The horses are beautiful.

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  29. Beautiful pictures!

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  30. This dress is absolutely beautiful!

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  31. so...when is the dress going to be mass produced for sale because I LOVE IT!!!!! You look beautiful in your pics and your talents are amazing!!!

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  32. So pretty and perfect for this time of year! Found you at i am momma hear me roar and now I'm a follower :o)

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  33. i love this on you, you are so beautiful and this outfit looks great

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  34. wow!! I like your version much better than Anthro's! There is something different and better to my taste than the "original" version! Great job!
    I better start following your blog since I also sew :]

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