The ombre dress
Posted: April 14, 2013 Filed under: cynthia rowley, Dresses | Tags: ombre 34 CommentsThe beautiful (but stinky) bradford pear trees are fully in bloom on our street this week so I couldn’t resist passing up a photo op in my new ombre dress. Hurray for spring!
This dress is Simplicity 1873 by Cynthia Rowley. I love how big and poofy the skirt is, but man oh man did it end up being short! I usually am pretty modest with my hemlines, and being as short as I am it is unusual that I don’t have to take it up 3 inches (let alone being 3 inches above my knees to begin with). I can’t imagine how short this would be on anyone of average height, yowsers! My husband did say that he liked how well it fit, and that the length was very sexy. I guess this will be a date night dress!
I know I may be a little late on the ombre trend, but after I saw this ombre dress pin on pinterest, (picture below) I was really inspired to make one of my own. The dress in the pin was actually painted on with textile paint and because I don’t have the patience for that sort of crafting I just hunted down some ombre print fabric. I found this bright blue faded to light on Etsy and was sold.
The dress itself was a rather easy sew, I chose not to line it as it is already starting to get on the hotter side here and the cotton isn’t very sheer. The skirt piece was super long before sewing in all the pleats, but I am loving the full effect. I think it ended up as short as it is from matching up the ombre on the seams, but even so there wasn’t too much to take up when it was said and done. I think next time I try this dress I’ll make sure to add a couple inches of length.
Happy Spring time y’all!
mystitchnbitch 
Wow! The dress, the ombre fabric, the pics with the pear tree blooms! So gorgeous. You need to frame one of them. It is short, but looks very sassy like that. You could always wear with tights if you thought it became a little too….uh….’afraid to walk in wind or bend over in any way’. Lol.
Thanks! Hahaha yeah, maybe I should have thrown some on for these pics, the old stems are fresh out of winter and pretty white. It was so nice today though, I couldn’t resist!
you look fabulous!! Great job on the dress, and the trees do make a lovely backdrop. I love the ombre look, and I think it’ll be popular again now that the weather is warming up.
Thanks lady! It’s amazing how weather and blooming flowers can lift spirits
Love it! What a beautiful dress! It suits you perfectly and the change in tone is such a neat idea. I’m feeling inspired to make one myself!!
Thanks! I think you should, I love the whole ombré trend… Except maybe the ombré hair thing
Great dress! I think you can definitely rock the shorter hem line so don’t shy away! You can’t let the teenagers have all the fun :)-
The ombré effect is perfectly executed and the dress fits you very well. Another dress well done.
Ha ha thank you! I know I’m starting to worry about dressing my age, but ill cling to youth as long as possible!
Terrific looking dress on you!
Thank you! 😀
I love the colouring of the dress as well as your surroundings.
Thanks! It was a perfect day 🙂
I love your dress and really wish I had some ombré fabric. I bought the pattern but haven’t made it yet.
It’s not too hard to find online, I looked on etsy and found several different color options. Of course you could dip dye your own if you are feeling crafty 🙂
Yes yes yes it is amazing dress on you so nice collection.
Thank you 🙂
Gorgeous! I love it! The ombre looks so cool! And you’re totally pulling off that shorter length– you got the legs for it, gal!
Thanks gal, you flatter me! Hee Hee…
I usually do the same; take a bit off the length for my shortness but not too much to keep my modesty! This looks so summery and wonderful. I think it’ll be perfect for date night!
Thanks! Maybe with shorter heels I won’t feel so exposed.
love it! and that’s a beautiful backdrop!
Thank you! It’s right on the street in front of our house 🙂
Very cute! The ombre is especially great: really makes the dress pop! Also – what beautiful blossoms you have for your background!
I made this dress last Spring and was a bit scandalized by how short it was going to be, so I ended up making view C with the view A/B skirt. Sadly, that dress ended up a bit too big overall, but I re-bought the pattern and intend to try again at some point. 😉 Also, random note: I really appreciated the skillful placing of the skirt seams under the pleats with this pattern.
Thanks gal, yeah I actually just looked t the pattern and realized there was that longer version I can make. I think I purposely picked the shorter version thinking the longer one would be past my knees. Live and learn!
So gorj! You’ve got me thinking about ombre fabric…and I can’t be buying more fabric! 🙂
Thanks! Hee Hee the ever growing fabric collection!
Love it!! Turned out absolutely beautiful! Looks great on you and love the shoes with it! Trees are breath taking…..wish we had those here. Im in WI and its still snowing burrrrr…lol…
Thank you! Ugh snow, spring is way overdue! The trees unfortunately only bloom for about 5 days and then they shed their flowers until next year. They were lovely while they lasted though!
This is so beautiful! Love the dress ~ and you’ve got the legs for it!
Thanks Jenny! Golly you make me blush. Good legs or not this dress is still pretty darn short! 😉
Awesome! I love the ombre fabric with this frock 😀 I found this pattern rather short too- thank god for tights!
I know right! Amen to tights, I’m hoping we won’t need to wear them too much longer though.
This is my favorite of all of your dresses. That length suits you very well, you have great legs! And wow those trees, just beautiful
Thank you! You are too sweet! I wore this earlier this year with tights to an event around derby time, it was a great party dress.