tiny happy

making journal

recent posts

about

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

cut and sew

Cut 1

Cut 2

Cut 3

I found the blue and cream dress in an op-shop back in the summer, and something about it was very familiar to me and I couldn't help buying it to alter. When I saw this post on Rummage (I love that blog) I remembered my blue dress languishing in the cupboard, and got cutting and sewing. I used to wear dresses just like it when I was a young teenager- that neckline, that colour, those buttons all the way down the front, so I'm not sure if I will really wear this out of the house. I wonder, did you wear dresses like this too?

I shortened it a bit, replaced some missing buttons and removed the waist ties and now I can't help thinking that this dress actually used to be mine. In the early 1990's. Maybe my sister will remember, I'll have to show her next time she's around. 

Also-

– Tom and I just finished watching the BBC adaptation of Dickens' Little Dorrit. It was so enjoyable- fabulous costumes and characters that nearly jumped right out of the screen. 

– I love this song, and the video. (Warning- you may not be able to stop listening once you start.)

– A handmade songbird.

Posted in

19 responses to “cut and sew”

  1. Diana Avatar
    Diana

    I loved that Little Dorrit! I’ve tried to describe it to friends, and it is impossible to convey just how much it gets inside you–not moving, not gripping, not thrilling, just so good. All the emotions. All the senses.

    Like

    Reply
  2. Sewlogic Avatar
    Sewlogic

    I had that dress. White polka dots on navy blue. My sister and I had matching outfits and there is a picture of us where mum had attempted to make us look ‘pretty’ with some garish red lipstick and special velvet headbands.
    I like the print on yours far more than the polka dots though.

    Like

    Reply
  3. Kylie Avatar
    Kylie

    This dress is just gorgeous! I’d love to find something like this at an op shop. I have some 1950s dresses that I’ve altered to fit my post-40 year old figure 😉 I love them. Mostly I just find a sympathetic fabric and put panels down the sides. So funny if it does turn out to be yours from the 1990s! Funny too that I have to rely on my sister for my memory as well 😉 Kx

    Like

    Reply
  4. Cinnamon Avatar
    Cinnamon

    I need to go to bed but I can’t stop listening to that song! Ahhhhh! Great recommendation. 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  5. Jacqui Avatar
    Jacqui

    Oh yes I had a navy dress like that! With tiny white flowers I think it was, and waist ties! I remember trying on a red one in Wellington when I first got to NZ and telling myself it probably wouldn’t fit and then when it did, like a dream, I had to buy it. I wore it so much I definitely got my money’s worth! They were a real early-90s look weren’t they.

    Like

    Reply
  6. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    funnily enough I just found one of these dresses in an op-shop today. a lovely greeny colour. I also have a red one which I altered a bit shorter and I wear it all the time. I love them.

    Like

    Reply
  7. louana Avatar
    louana

    I bet the dress looks lovely on you- go on wear it out of the house! I recently found a book at an op shop that belonged to a workmate’s sister.

    Like

    Reply
  8. Lesley Webb Avatar
    Lesley Webb

    Yep, those dresses were everywhere and on us all. Always a small floral print. I bought a similar type of dress in a lilac floral from Esprit recently with a shirred bodice and it took me right back! Strangely I do feel a bit self conscious wearing it!

    Like

    Reply
  9. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    you and i have a similar love for small bottles

    Like

    Reply
  10. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I used to have a closet full of those dresses. I used to wear them with my Doc Martins… Ah memories…
    Great music suggestion, as always!

    Like

    Reply
  11. Lucette Avatar
    Lucette

    I have a similar navy blue summer dress with little block prints that I am wearing right now. my favourite summer dress, and i wish i had a few more.
    great bottle collection too…

    Like

    Reply
  12. isoinpapu Avatar
    isoinpapu

    Oh yes, and i think my fav dress today is very similar to this blue one here 🙂
    I need to thank you for introducing me to “the unthanks”, earlier there. I´m listening it pretty much, nonstop almost. Thank you!

    Like

    Reply
  13. joni Avatar
    joni

    LOL i had a navy one with white pinstripes from esprit, with big patch pockets. i still own it but it’s put away.

    Like

    Reply
  14. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Yes, I had a couple of dresses like that one. Loved them! And Little Dorrit…oh, that was gorgeous.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Cassandra Avatar
    Cassandra

    Must say – you do have impeccable taste in music.

    Like

    Reply
  16. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    why thank you 😉

    Like

    Reply
  17. rachelle Avatar
    rachelle

    Thanks for the link to Rummage. Wow. She’s awesome. Loving ur posts Melissa. Ur pencil drawings, your stitching as always. Hasn’t the snow been awesome?. X

    Like

    Reply
  18. fifi Avatar
    fifi

    hahhaa – after teasing little dorrit (my husband and i jokingly talk in ye olde english when we’re discussing something SUPER banal) i actually watched it on IVIEW and got TOTALLY hooked. how awesome was it? i didn’t realise those period dramas were funny or dark or anything! totally loved it 🙂 as with the rummage link!

    Like

    Reply
  19. pip Avatar
    pip

    I had one of those dresses – blue with white flowers – should say ‘have’ one of those dresses – it is still in the cupboard waiting to be ‘adapted’. 20yrs and three babies later doubt if it will still fit – but now inspired to go and have a look and maybe change it into something for one of my daughters : )

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment