So here we are!! The All Stars season of Project Run and Play!!! I have to tell you, this time around has been even more fun, particularly because the other All Stars are my friends and we get to chit chat and share sneak peeks on Instagram (find me at girlinspired1)! It just feels awesome, more of a group effort than a competition! This first week the theme was Art Inspired and I was stumped. I had a few big fails before I landed on an artist whose work actually inspired me. I chose this beautiful painting by Michelle Armas and set to work!

I love the rich colors of this picture; to me, it looks elegant and happy and beautiful. And if the picture were to become clothing, I just pictured a big fluffy ball gown with beautiful drapes of color all over it.


Addison was all over the dress design from the start. Usually, it’s a total pain to get the kids to try stuff on mid-design, but this time it was actually a pain to get any work done on the dress because Addie just wanted to wear it all the time; she was SO excited for her fancy dress to be finished.




I started with a full-skirted sleeveless gown made from silk dupioni and fully lined with a cotton sateen. Silk is such a beautiful fabric to work with and I thought it was a bit serendipitous as the first time I worked with silk was for the first week of Project Run and Play during my initial run last year. Once I had the dress constructed, I began cutting small circles from synthetics that I had on hand. I made a run to the fabric store once I realized that it was going to take A LOT more “petals” than I had fabric.

I singed the edges of each circle with a flame and pinned them on to the dress in a color pattern similar to the artwork inspiration piece. After I had the entire ensemble pinned how I liked, I started sewing the petals on one by one. I discovered that it was a lot quicker to sew them on with a quick zigzag stitch on the machine than by hand (plus you know I despise hand-sewing). I counted. There were 417 petals in total. And they look amazing all smashed together, right?

The best part is that Addison is in love with the dress. She was so excited for her photo shoot which is a total 180 from the usual. And she wears the dress for hours and hours. I made cupcakes for a little post-photo party; look at that cute cupcake face!

What do you think about the theme this week? Did you sew along? I’ve seen so many amazing sew along projects floating around!
If you haven’t already, head on over to Project Run and Play to check out all six All Stars projects and VOTE for your favorite one! Thank you so much!
Comments & Reviews
Debra says
How did you make the petals? They look like they are different sizes with two pieces sewn wrong side together and then turn inside out. So beautiful!
girlinspired says
Hi Debra – the petals were actually single layer circles cut from polyesters – I singed the edges with a flame to seal them and make them curl a bit.
Shannon says
Amazing! I would wear this in my size. Really impressive project–go, You!
Yvette Reynolds says
Beautiful dress im going to make it for my grand dauther america girl doll. Thank you , good job
Karna R. says
I may just love this dress as much as your daughter! I only wish my daughter loved it as much so I could make one fir her, but alas she says it’s too fancy for her tastes. Well, I NEVER! LOL!
Valeria says
The dress is wonderfull!!!!!! I love love it!!!!
Carly says
I want.
I really hate wearing dresses but I would wear that dress all the time. I love it so much, would love to be able to make one. You have truly inspired me.
Thank you
Carly
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
I don’t remember seeing this dress before…I don’t even know what to say. Just, wow. You could sell these for about $1000 each. Well, maybe not that much but it is really exquisite. Way beyond my skill level!
Rachel Verdi says
Ok, I have to say this post almost brought me to tears. Silly, I know, but everything from the photos to the meticulously crafted darling dress that you made especially for your little girl reminded me of my mom, Heather, and how she sewed for me growing up. I suddenly flashed back to the Alice and Pippi Longstocking costume fittings, and even my first prom dress. She’s been gone almost 23 years, and its been a long while since I remembered our mom/daughter sewing sessions so vividly. So huge thanks and a big hug, and that dress officially ROCKS! Really an adorable design, and 400+ petals is an awful lot of love!
rachel
girlinspired says
That warms my heart so much, Rachel. Thank you for sharing!
Carin says
This is the most beautiful artistic girls dress I’ve seen. Wowwowwow
Linda Greenhill says
I love embellished fabric!! Totally motivates me to sew! Your creation is awesome!
Fine Craft Guild says
What a fabulous dress!
Bec @ Love That Party says
I just fell off my chair! I am completely and utterly floored by the beauty of this little dress. The cascade of petals made my heart skip a beat and left me wanting one of my own. This is so, so divine. This little dress is like something from a dream.
Julia says
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I have featured your petal splash gown on my blog this week in my favorite finds post!
Be sure to swing by and grab a featured button… you deserve it!
http://itsalwaysruetten.blogspot.com/2013/05/finding-friday-my-favorite-finds_10.html
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Julia
It’s Always Ruetten
nest full of eggs says
417 petals!?! Looking forward to a tutorial…
Frances Suzanne says
A true piece of artwork!! Absolutely amazed at the time and effort to create such a masterpiece…..and Addison’s LOVE of the dress is so very evident in each and every picture. Awesome!!