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

an autumn dress

Dress 1

Dress 2

Dress 3

I couldn't believe my luck when I found a big piece of this 1960's fabric in the opshop last week. It's a kind of polished cotton/sateen with big brown roses painted on black, watercolour style. It's really the kind of fabric i only dream of finding for $3. (Sorry, fellow op-shoppers!) 

I made an autumny dress from it since there was such a good length. I lined the bodice in some brown brushed cotton for extra warmth, and I think it will be a cosy garment to have for these colder months ahead. I'll be able to wear it with tights, boots, cardigans, etc. Because of the old-fashioned fabric, I was going for a kind of vintage style with this dress so I chose this pattern. It's the same one I used for my 'spring dress', coincidentally (or not) but I made a few alterations to the bodice part so it fits better.

The leaves on the trees are turning brown and yellow now. Each April I'm surprised by how beautiful acorns are.

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31 responses to “an autumn dress”

  1. Floss Avatar
    Floss

    Melissa it’s fantastic! What a great fabric find.

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  2. Miss Smith Avatar
    Miss Smith

    I love the dress, I love the fabric, and I also love that old Christchurch Drycleaners coathanger! It all looks so autumnal and cozy.

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  3. Sam Avatar
    Sam

    I love an autumn dress! This fabric is so pretty.
    Autumn itself is a great time of the year, though since leaving southern Australia for half way up the country, I miss out on the widespread yellowing of leaves. We have mostly evergreens around here. I miss the colour and the crunch.
    I have a distinct memory from childhood when my younger sister, who was about 3 I guess, picked up an acorn and asked Mum, very seriously, ‘Mummy, I’ve forgotten. Is it an acorn or a bcorn?’
    She’d obviously been learning her alphabet!
    Lovely.
    Sam

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  4. annri Avatar
    annri

    i love acorns. your autumn dress is very pretty, a very nice print and style. autumn is my favorite time of year, although i’m thoroughly ready for spring at the moment!

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  5. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    I love your new dress! Nice sewing, and shopping;)

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Perfect dress. That fabric is such a find! Very “Toast”. You always make me want to break out my sewing machine.

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  7. louana Avatar
    louana

    what a lovely find! and you’ve turned it into such a beautiful dress. Happy weekend.

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  8. Lotus Avatar
    Lotus

    What an adorable dress! I wish you made some to sell….
    I love Autumn- we have a full view of the hills slowly turning a yellow / red shade. So beautiful for romantic walks. Have a lovely weekend xx

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  9. Christina Avatar
    Christina

    Oh my! What an amazing find. You certainly have done justice to that fabulous fabric. I’d wear a dress like this everyday!
    The acorns are lovely. We don’t have any hereabouts or I would be out collecting a little handful too. 🙂

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  10. fiona Avatar
    fiona

    the acorns are so pretty. i’ve yet to hold one! may i ask a favour? can you save one for me? i love autumn and everything about it, in my imagination.
    a lucky find on the fabric and M, it’s a beautiful dress.

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  11. Francesca Avatar
    Francesca

    It’s beautiful, and you photographed it beautifully. Happy Autumn!

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  12. flowerpress Avatar
    flowerpress

    $3, sorry indeed!
    A beautiful dress and I’ve been dreaming over your pinterest dresses too.

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  13. jenni Avatar
    jenni

    love your creativity…and this morning..i am glad to find a blogger who is also loving moving in to Autumn…we have no yellow leaves yet..cant wait…but we have had rain…so glad about it…greetings from rainy South Africa….oops sun has just broken through…

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  14. Neus Avatar
    Neus

    You’re an artist!! I really love your dress, the fabric is so vintage! have a nice weekend!

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  15. Tania Avatar
    Tania

    That is a perfect Autumn dress. Lovely.

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  16. Regina Avatar
    Regina

    Lovely dress – that fabric was a score!

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  17. Yvette Avatar
    Yvette

    Oooh, you did well!!! $3 fabric and a beautiful dress. Its been a long time since I’ve found acorns, all I have are pine trees all around.
    Hugs

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  18. Lindsay Jewell Avatar
    Lindsay Jewell

    Very pretty! And nice find on the fabric.

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  19. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    Lovely! You are quite an accomplished seamstress 🙂

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  20. elmtree Avatar
    elmtree

    Sometimes you just find the perfect fabric , and isn’t it a thrill, when you know it is special, for hardly any money! It is the treasure hunt. Inside of us is a tiny pirate somewhere. aarrrh!
    I thought I had the perfect cushion cover material this week: but it got completely destroyed in the washing machine…Can’t win them all.
    I’d love to see a picture of you wearing the dress?

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  21. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    That is really lovely! I adore the material and the style. Well done – what a find!

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  22. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    What a stunning dress. You could make a neclace out of the nuts…………you are very talented.

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  23. perches Avatar
    perches

    lovely dress!

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  24. cyndi Avatar
    cyndi

    it’s a fantastic dress, Melissa!!

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  25. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    Love this dress so much, what beautiful sewing …

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  26. gracia Avatar
    gracia

    It is a beautiful dress for the season, and the fabric print especially so.

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  27. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Hi Melissa
    I’m at the Uni library and instead of doing my study I’m checking out “Tinyhappy”! Love your new dress, the fabric is just perfect. I always enjoy looking at your new projects.
    Cheers
    Karen
    Newcastle NSW

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  28. Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow Avatar
    Eyecatchers & Wind In The Willow

    Gorgeous dress!!!! Love it! Ideal for the cooler weather ~ certainly feeling the autumness in the air now here in NZ!

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  29. wendy @ the textured leaf Avatar
    wendy @ the textured leaf

    Lovely. I would have ‘had’ to do a vintage style too if id been lucky enough to find that piece. Love those sateens!
    Im going to have to find some acorns today.
    Lovely inspiration for my winter mantlepiece,
    x

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  30. lotte janssens ( bellefleurdelis ) Avatar
    lotte janssens ( bellefleurdelis )

    it’s a very lovely dress !

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  31. fashion suits Avatar
    fashion suits

    The vintage fabric made your autumn dress look so good! I think this suits a light skin-tone very well.

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