You know what the ultimate clothing formula is for me? Maybe it’s the same one you have. If you have a casual job or a kid-centered world of any description my guess is we are on the same page. It’s comfort-mixed-with-cute-mixed-with-at-least-a-little-fashion(ish). Don’t get me wrong, I can wear an awful lot of yoga pants (which they used to call sweatpants in the 90s, just sayin’). These days, though, I’m working on wearing clothes that have the comfort level of yoga pants but look a little bit more like something that wouldn’t double as pajamas.
Introducing The Tennis Dress! This dress is all of those things in one great dress.
I’m so happy to have this dress in my world. It’s made of thick jersey knit fabric and is based off the amazing skirt as top (free) scoop neck t-shirt pattern. Kristin is amazing and makes the most incredible stuff, I’m completely in love with her every move. As soon as I made her scoop neck tee it was easy to turn it into a little dress because the pattern is genius.
First of all, there are no sleeves, the pattern has the sleeve built right in but unlike other patterns out there that do this, these sleeves look great and elegant and don’t poke out or anything. To turn this into a dress, I took away some of the a-line angle (just a bit) and simple extended it down 12-14 inches. I also added little pockets at the bottom. The pockets are made out of knit fabric actually but have a faux pocket flap out of chambray. They are just the right size for the tiny toys and acorns the boys always seem to need me to carry for them. They would also fit a library card or driver’s license but not much more.
I’ve been big on the red-navy color combination lately. Black is just so pre-kids. Just kidding, I will always love black and grey but navy is a nice addition to my wardrobe…a little preppy. That’s actually why this is called the tennis dress. Just looks like I’m about to go play tennis, don’t you think? Thinking about playing tennis is about as preppy as I get so live it up tennis dress! Now I just need some tennis playing weather so I have an excuse to wear this dress already.
p.s. I’m on a serious clothing making kick. I’m considering signing up for Me Made May. Have you ever done that? I was so sad I missed out when I started to see so many handmade clothes popping up last May. Maybe this is my (and yours?) year to join in?
Daniela D says
Look at you! You are so stinkin’ adorable in that awesome dress! Love it and love that you are embracing navy. Yes, you should do Me-Made-May!!
Melissa Q. says
You are the fastest commenter in the Wild Web! You think I should do Me Made? Ok, (maybe) I should! Thanks for the nice words. <3
Daniela D says
Yes! You should do it! I can live vicariously through you and join in next year!
Melissa Q. says
You are so encouraging!
Rachael says
I love it!!!
Melissa Q. says
You are so awesome. Thanks for saying such nice things.
Jenny Yarbrough says
You are the cutest! I love what you did by turning this into a dress, it looks great on you!
Melissa Q. says
Thanks Jenny. I’m pretty thrilled it worked!
Masha says
It looks great on you. Those pockets are pretty fancy looking, too! I am also in love with red+navy. I think I might try Me-Made May this year; I finally started sewing things for myself that I actually wear, so I might actually be able to do it.
Melissa Q. says
Do it! We can “me made” together and encourage each other!
kristin says
Oh wow you’re so nice to say those things, I’m blushing! And I love your dress!! I should make one. Thanks, Melissa!! 🙂
Melissa Q. says
Thank you for such an awesome tutorial. I think this also means we could borrow each other’s clothes! 🙂
arlene says
I LOVE your tennis dress! I’m going to make one as soon as I get some jersey… I’ve been on a tunic-making frenzy and now I need an excuse to wear them! Is Me Made May happening in 2014? When is the sign-up? I want to try too.
Melissa Q. says
Thanks so much for the tennis dress love! Have you got any good tunic patterns you love! Tunics are in my category of comfortable but cute because leggings are the best thing ever to wear! I don’t know when MMM is happening in 2014 but I’m keeping an eye out. I gotta do it now that I put it out there in the universe.
Amy says
Love it! You are the cutest!
arlene says
My favourite tunic of the moment is the Lisette Diplomat Dress-Simplicity 1878. It looks good on everyone! I adore it. If you google search images of it, you’ll see how versatile it is.
I’ve made 6 in a month, with different fabrics…a couple without sleeves, one with inseam pockets added, one with patch pockets, some with contrasting bodice, one in a border print. There is no end in sight to this madness!
Melissa Q. says
I’m gonna have to check that one out!
Jenya says
Melissa, bravo 🙂 What a gorgeous, fun, comfy and chick dress! Love the colour (red is my fave), and the pockets – love them 🙂
Melissa Q. says
Oh you! You know, I need to get into more red, I think.