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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

a leafy dress

Leaf dress 4

Leaf dress 1

Leaf dress 3

When I first found this drapey brown fabric, I knew it would be great for a dress and promised myself that I would make one this autumn. I'd say winter has truly arrived now, but it doesn't matter, I will just wear this dress with lots of other layers- wool underneath and on top, I'd say!

I used pattern E in this book (ISBN: 978-4-579-11185-5) and this was my second time making it up- I gave the first dress away to a friend in Europe. After thinking about the design a bit, I realised that it was better suited to a drapey fabric and I think this material gives it a vintage feel- kind of like a loose-fitting painting smock. Actually I would love it if I could get away with wearing painting smocks all the time.

Have a great weekend, friends…

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39 responses to “a leafy dress”

  1. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    I love the cut.
    It looks great layered!
    More seasons to wear it in!

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  2. Lovely World Avatar
    Lovely World

    How pretty. I like the photo of you wearing it – it looks like you are meditating.

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  3. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    i agree painting smocks are really the best

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  4. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Painting smocks rule! But this is too pretty to get paint on :^)

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  5. Anne Avatar
    Anne

    Lovely..:)

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  6. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    i love the little vase of leaves in the first shot, you have a nice weekend too 🙂

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  7. Kathryn Avatar
    Kathryn

    You look cute in that little dress. Makes me want to get that book.

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  8. renee ~ heirloom seasons Avatar
    renee ~ heirloom seasons

    The dress is so nice! I have that book but have not sewn myself anything from it yet, (I have made quite a few things now for my girls from another book though), so now I got the book out again, I look through it often actually, thank you for some beautiful inspiration!

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  9. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    I just adore your simplistic lovely style. Your blog always just makes me smile 🙂

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  10. Eyecatchers Avatar
    Eyecatchers

    Just love the smock – something like that would be ideal for my painting sessions – but as mentioned above, it would be tooooo good to paint in 🙂

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  11. Jodz Avatar
    Jodz

    Gorgeous smock 🙂

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  12. Sarah S Avatar
    Sarah S

    I like the idea of wearing my painting clothes all the time, would give me more excuses for more oil painting 🙂

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  13. Maree Avatar
    Maree

    Great Job.!!…Beautiful fabric that really suits the Dress.
    cheers

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  14. julie Avatar
    julie

    I love that dress, when I wear mine, I feel like I’m wearing one of those dressy aprons grandmas used to wear every day at home. I particularly like the big pockets.I’m in the process of making a dress from the second book.
    Yours is beautiful, with a slight autumny touch.
    Have a nice weekend!

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  15. simple things Avatar
    simple things

    that is a lovely dress.
    I have that book too, but I am too scared to make anything from it! I really like instructions!

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  16. annie Avatar
    annie

    So pretty! I have to say, I have been reading your blog for some time now and it’s one of my favorite morning reads. You seem so sweet and genuine! Thank you for brightening my mornings!

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  17. Running Thread Avatar
    Running Thread

    Looks very comfortable and easy to wear. Nicely done.

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  18. Googlover Avatar
    Googlover

    super cute dress.

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  19. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    It looks good on you, love the print on the fabric. I can think of so many ways to change up the look as well. My daughter is into leggings, they would go well.
    I want to look into getting that book. Hope you are having a good weekend.

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  20. natalie Avatar
    natalie

    this is so beautiful! I love my long tunics. And now I am feeling inspired to sew again.
    Cheers

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  21. oshun Avatar
    oshun

    Lovely dress in a lovely fabric…

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  22. Jannette Avatar
    Jannette

    Lovely combination of pattern and fabric.. And I agree, smocks like these: one could just live in them forever!

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  23. Eva Avatar
    Eva

    Looks lovely. Liked the original for your friend, but this material makes it oh so much more special in the way it drops. You have a nice weekend too.

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  24. Jessica - Domestic PDX Avatar
    Jessica – Domestic PDX

    The fabric is just perfect!

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  25. linda dacey Avatar
    linda dacey

    What a sweet cut of dress; fab with cropped jeans and boots in colder weather me thinks… I have a similar one to this and have been considering getting someone to run up a few more for me as it is sooo versatile; if only I had your touch…
    Linda x

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  26. Ulrika Avatar
    Ulrika

    Love that fabric! I also have that book and I have done 4 dresses like yours, but I´m still looking for the perfekt fabric!

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  27. Littleminx.wordpress.com Avatar
    Littleminx.wordpress.com

    what a gorgeous pattern and fabric – that book was obviously a great buy

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  28. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I love it Melissa! And I think you’re right about the drapey fabric.

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  29. Nancy Cook Avatar
    Nancy Cook

    AH! I love it. I have that book but, have yet to make something from it.
    A painting smock-perfect.
    Great fabric

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  30. Alison Gibbs Avatar
    Alison Gibbs

    Such a versatile little dress. Would be great to wear during pregnancy too!
    Alison

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  31. Alison Gibbs Avatar
    Alison Gibbs

    Meant to ask where did you buy the japanese dress book??
    Alison

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  32. Plain and Joyful Living Avatar
    Plain and Joyful Living

    The dress looks great – comfortable and cute.
    Warm wishes, Tonya

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  33. Abby Avatar
    Abby

    I love it! Really sweet Melissa. I tried this dress quite a while back, and forgot to include the seam allowance (grrr), which meant the armpits were too tight and the overall fit a bit strange. I tried to rescue it, but it was pretty discouraging. After seeing yours, I think I ought to try again. This would be perfect for summer time here.

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  34. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    What is that book? I cannot find it anywhere, please tell us the title?

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  35. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi rose,
    the book is in japanese, but the title translates to Adult Couture Stylish Dress Book (ISBN 978-4-579-11185-5) i bought my copy here, http://www.etsy.com/shop/pomadour24 but you can find it in a few places on etsy, ebay and amazon japan. good luck!

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  36. fliss Avatar
    fliss

    your dress looks beautiful…love the fabric!
    i have this same book and am yet to make something from it… i guess the japanese instructions are making me hesitate… did you find it easy?

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  37. Teresa Avatar
    Teresa

    I love the fabric you’ve used. I’ve recently bought a couple of smock-like dresses/tops from charity shops and found them so easy to wear and (as you say) layer for different looks and weathers. I can see me hunting for more as they are so versatile yet smart.

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  38. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    This is so beautiful… would love to get the book, is it easy to follow, or d’you need to understand Japanese?

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  39. Bb Avatar
    Bb

    Hi.
    I found your lovely blog today and I am happy to
    read !
    I am happy because you made beautiful dress from Japansese book which I also have !(I like her patterns!)
    I am Japansese so・・・thank you(^^

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