tiny happy

making journal

Beach dress 1

Beach dress 2

Beach dress 3

Thank you for all your encouraging comments on yesterday's post! You are all very kind, and have got me excited about doing some more fabric designs. I hope to offer some up on Spoonflower soon, so I'll keep you posted on that.

I've been getting into the band Beach House lately, do you know them? They're coming to NZ soon but I don't think I'll make it to Wellington to see them. In any case, their songs have been the perfect backdrop to these warm and long evenings of late. This song is a favourite of mine- especially the great 80's inspired sound.

And speaking of beaches, I devised a way to make a simple summery beach dress over the New Year holiday and got a chance to test it out today, where the children and I spent many hours at our local beach. I wanted a garment that would be cool and easy to throw on over my swimsuit. It has a halter-neck tie and shirring around the top. If you'd like to make one too, I'd be happy to write up a little 'how-to' next week.

Wishing you a happy weekend, whether you're deep into your summer or winter-time!

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25 responses to “beach house, beach dress”

  1. Mary Avatar

    I’d just like to point out that to go outside at my house today, I had to wear two pairs of pants, thermal boots, two wool sweaters over a long-sleeve T under a long wool coat with a heavy wool scarf and a wool hat lined with polar fleece and thermal ski mittens… and I was still cold. Thank you Melissa for reminding me it won’t always be this way ;^) (and also, GAH.)
    (great dress though!)

    Like

  2. tinyhappy Avatar

    sheesh, thats a lot of clothes! im sorry for rubbing it in that its so hot here… 😉

    Like

  3. Mary Avatar

    That’s okay, I have chocolate handy to ease the pain :^)

    Like

  4. Francesca Avatar

    What a lovely summer dress, perfect for the beach! I think I need to make one too! I really like the last photo.

    Like

  5. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I went to Nobbys beach (Newcastle) this morning for a swim,water fresh.!!
    Your new sun dress would be perfect,I had the beach towel wrap/skirt look, no where near as fabulous!!
    Have a lovely relaxing weekend
    Karen

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  6. louana Avatar

    It looks perfect for the beach and I love those stripes! Happy weekend melissa

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  7. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    Please do write a how-to! It’s a really practical-looking and cute dress. 🙂

    Like

  8. Merja Avatar

    Would love to have a how-to! I have lots of fabrics that would be perfect for that.
    I envy your summer.. now that we still have lots of snow..

    Like

  9. Anki Avatar

    Your beach looks so lovely (and the dress too). I’m very jealous of a NZ summer. We’re sweltering here in dry as a bone (Western) Australia.

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  10. Lauren Avatar

    A how-to would be great! Perfect dress for the beach…or in my case, the creek instead (we’re entirely land-locked!).
    Have a great weekend!

    Like

  11. Lesley Avatar

    Yes please on the how-to – I’m keen to figure the shirring thing out with a garment that is so practical right now!!

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  12. aupres de mon arbre Avatar

    I lost my big scarf yesterday in Paris, Perhaps I just go to work tomorrow with a beach dress…

    Like

  13. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    theses pics are really warming me up

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  14. monkeemoomoo Avatar

    Love that dress, it practically shouts summer, something we have haven’t had here in Queensland!

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  15. Nicole Avatar

    Your dress is lovely! A tutorial would be fantastic!
    I love Beach House too! My favourite song is “Norway”. I’ve listened to it a million times in the last few months. Such a dreamy sound.
    I also noted that you have Kate Bush’s “Kick Inside” listed on your side bar. I love that album. I was listening to it last night while doing the dishes, “trying” to sing along (so high).

    Like

  16. Daniela B. Avatar

    Oh naked feet in the warm sand….like paradise for us living in snowing northern Italy!!! 🙂

    Like

  17. samantha Avatar

    Even though I am neck deep in snow, I like looking at the warm pictures. Reminds me that someday it will be summer. What type of material is the dress? It looks wonderful.

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  18. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, samantha. its just a lightweight kind of cotton. hope it warms up for you soon!

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  19. Littleminx.wordpress.com Avatar

    Yes please with the how-to x

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  20. Katie B Avatar

    Ooooo! I’d love a how-to. And since I’m here in the US- I have months to perfect it while I dream about summer!

    Like

  21. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I love these pics, and with winter here in B.C., Canada I am very jealous…..lol If you post the pattern, I will try to make one. I am not that young anymore, and have always been shy in a bathing suit.
    Hope you have a good weekend.

    Like

  22. Jenn Avatar

    I would definitely love to make a sundress like that if you have time to write a how-to.

    Like

  23. Jjmama Avatar

    I too would love a how too of your summery sundress. Beautiful material choice too.

    Like

  24. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    It is the perfect beach dress – would be super if you could write a how-to!

    Like

  25. Darius Cartmell Avatar

    You’re certainly made for the beach! That dress would look good on any girl for the summer. If only we live close enough to the beach to feel fresh everyday… to feel very far away from the stresses of life.

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