A Bonnie Birthday Dress


So, it was my birthday yesterday (the big 32 if you must know) and not wanting to break with tradition, I made myself a knit dress and got a haircut (yep, that controversial fringe is back)! The dress obviously fits in with my plans to have fun with knits this year, which I seem to be nailing so far!



The pattern I used is none other than the Bonnie knit top from Bluegingerdoll Patterns. I adored the fit of my cropped Bonnie jumper so much, that I figured it would make a pretty cute dress. And it did, it did! I'm delighted with this little number!



I've said it before, but my favourite Bonnie feature is the slightly 'puffy' sleeve-head, which adds just the right amount of volume for a super sweet look. My second favourite thing about this dress is my awesome fabric pattern matching skills...haha! Speaking of fabric, I found this crazy print in Fenwick's and fell in love! It's actually quite a thick (but loosely woven and stretchy) sweatshirt weight, so it was fairly challenging to work with. It also frays like no one's business, so I hope it holds up over time as I didn't finish off my seams! 



On a side note, my Bonnie Dress was originally going to be a Linnie (or Lonnie) Dress. I really, really wanted to make it using the skirt from Tilly's Lilou Dress (found in Love at First Stitch), but my fabric was just too thick and disobedient for pleats. I fudged a circle skirt from my botched Lilou skirt pieces instead and just about got away with it...phew!

Anyway, don't be surprised if you see an actual Linnie/Lonnie Dress soon...I'm determined to make that idea work!

30 comments:

  1. Happy birthday, and fab birthday dress. Even if it was a misbehaving fabric the end result is excellent.

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  2. I've taken to making birthday dresses too! Love your new dress, that's a sensational fun print. Happy birthday and new-again-fringe! ;-)

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  3. Happy birthday, love that print. Awesome pattern matching!

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  4. Love the dress, your awesome new fringe, stunning eyebrows and splendid print! Happy birthday too x

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  5. Happy birthday Marie!! Hope you had a lovely day. Great dress :)

    How time flies! it still seems like yesterday when I read about your big 3-oh dress!

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  6. Happy, happy birthday, and what a fun dress. I love the way you put the little checked strip around the neckline, such a great detail. Pattern matching? Awesome!

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  7. Χρονια σου πολλα, να τα εκατοστησεις. Το φορεμα ειναι πολυ ωραιο, μ'αρεσει ιδιαιτερα αυτο το print το οποιο το εχεις ταιριαξει τελεια οπως παντα.

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  8. Happy birthday, Marie! You always find such fun fabrics!

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  9. That fabric! Happy Birthday for yesterday.

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  10. Love the dress! Love the hair! You're beautiful!

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  11. That is one fabulous knit dress!! And a super happy birthday to you!

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  12. Happy Birthday! You brave girl not finishing those seams! Ahh I would dream about my dress unravelling for months if I did that!

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  13. Live the dress, it looks cosy. But what's catching my eye more is the chest of drawers behind you, wow! Where is it from???

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  14. Fun fabric and looks so comfy! The neckline is super flattering on you.

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  15. Happy birthday! I love this fabric and you've made a great dress. I like the neckline band, what a nice attention to detail and also the pattern matching is fab :-)

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  16. Lovely! Both the fringe and the dress ;-) Love your fabric choice.

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  17. Happy birthday! I love both your fringe and your dress!

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  18. Happy Birthday! I'm a big fan of the fringe, and the dress is lovely- I plan to make something similar by mashing up Gertie's Vintage Casual Sweetheart top and the skirt from the Lady Skater- hopefully it will turn out as nicely! x

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  19. Happy birthday, lady! Hope you had a wonderful day!!!!!

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  20. Happy Birthday to you! I love your tradition of a new dress and a haircut. That's a great way to feel gorgeous on your special day. The fabric in this dress is fantastic. It reminds me of traditional Nordic ski sweater designs and it looks super cozy!

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  21. Happy birthday! Your dress is great, and a Bonnie/Lilou mash sounds brilliant. I am a huge fan of the Lilou skirt, and have quite a few mashes planned for it. And I love your fringe too!

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  22. Ooh, that looks cozy-- hopefully it will hold up! And happy birthday!

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  23. I love that fabric! Gorgeous work.

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  24. Love it!! This is such a perfect look for you! And I adore your fringe!

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  25. Happy birthday!!!! I'm glad you got to celebrate in a pretty new dress. xo

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  26. happy belated birthday! the 10th was mine too & I too took myself to get a hair cut & almost bought a dress guess I should of just made me one lol! love your dress it looks great!

    Helen

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  27. Love the dress, seems super easy to wear. And the fringe is very cut too.

    Happy birthday, a little late but with my best wishes.

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  28. Hope you had a great birthday, I love that neckline, it is perfect. jo x

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  29. Happy birthday! I hope you had a great day. I love that dress, the fabric is superb!

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  30. Happy (belated) birthday! I love this dress, and it looks nice and warm :)

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