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Graduation Dress – Simplicity 8013

Hello everyone!  Well, here it is!  This is the dress I made to wear to my son’s high school graduation, but I didn’t get to wear it because the weather was too hot.  I ended up wearing THIS dress instead, with a big floppy hat, and I was able to stay cooler.  The ceremony was quick and the heat wasn’t as bad as I had imagined.  We went equipped with our gear (hats, sunscreen, water bottles, battery-operated water fans, hand towels, and sunglasses).  God blessed us with a nice breeze that kept us from melting, and I kept saying, “Thank You, Jesus,” every time we got a breeze.  Afterwards we celebrated with the family and a few friends at our home.  There’s a photo of our graduate at the end of this post (quality not too great).

The dress is quite lovely and I’d love to make another one in a solid color.  I waited until the last minute to make this one and had to sew it up in just 2 days.  The bodice and skirt are lined.  For a dress like this, I would usually spend about a week to put it together, working on one section at a time, because I really like to take my time.  The never-ending rolled hem on this one was just that–NEVER-ENDING!  At the end of day 1, I stopped mid-hem and decided to finish it the next day, because I was tired and didn’t want to make a mess of things.  The pattern is pretty straight forward, and easy to follow for the intermediate sewer.  A beginner would probably need to read through a few times before grasping some of the techniques used or watch a video tutorial.  Overall, I like the dress and look forward to wearing it out.

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Remember: “When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!”

Anita

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Graduation Dress - anitabydesign.comGraduation Dress - anitabydesign.com

Graduation Dress - anitabydesign.comGraduation Dress - anitabydesign.comThe Graduate

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All Photos Courtesy of CEMO!

Anita Morris

Anita is the Author of STEP Into It, Overcoming Trials That Lead To Purpose. She is also an Online Sewing Instructor for beginner sewists. She is passionate about helping women to step into their purpose by walking in the calling on their lives. She hosts a popular YouTube channel where she helps women to become confident in their sewing skills.

This Post Has 39 Comments

  1. Heather

    I love this dress, and I plan on making it for a wedding. After looking at the pattern I was a little shy of the dress because of the plunging neckline. Did you make any alterations to the pattern to make it a little more modest?

    1. Anita Morris

      Hi Heather! Excuse my delayed response. I did not make any alterations to the bodice, but I am not a fan of plunging necklines either, so I used a safety pin to close it up afterwards. LOL! Whatever it takes to maintain modesty, right?

        1. Anita Morris

          OMGosh, YES! That fabric would look amazing with this dress. Choose your cutting line accordingly. Usually, you will need to go down a size or two when using knit in place of a woven fabric. However, since this is not a fitted dress, you may not have to. Have fun with it.

  2. Tracee

    Wow that dress is something. So beautiful. I stumbled upon your blog via a YouTube feed. I love your videos. Even though I have been sewing for some time I enjoy watching your sewing tips. Your enthusiasm has sparked a renewed desire to sew and shop Joanns again.

    1. Anita Morris

      Thanks Tracee! That’s awesome that you’ve been inspired to sew again. Come on, sister, join the fun!

  3. Camille

    I love, love, love this dress. Thank you for showing it. Would you please do a tutorial on this when you choose to make it again?

    Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

    1. Anita Morris

      Thank you Camille! I will put it on my list but no promises okay?

      1. Camille

        You’re welcome! I definitely understand.

  4. Hope

    This dress is so beautiful. I am a person who likes to get my projects done in one day. I hate to start and stop because I am so excited to see it all come together. My husband has to call me out of my sewing room like a little kid to remind me to eat. LOL. Great site. Your pieces are beautiful.

    1. Anita Morris

      Hahahahaaa!!! Hope, I’m cracking up because I can go all day without eating when I’m in the studio. I actually forget to eat sometimes. My husband and sons don’t understand. Oh, I love to hear that someone else is the same way. My husband comes to get me out of that room too, for food! LOLOL! Ooooh, I love to SEW! Thanks so much for responding!

  5. coco

    You look stunning in this dress! and the fabric choice is exquisite. Congrats to the grad!

  6. Marie Brown

    She is a CUTIE!!! Congratulations on your sons graduation.

  7. Sheila DS

    Gorgeous Anita! Congrats Jordon!!

  8. paulette dowdie

    Love it!!!… absolutely gorgeous!!!!

  9. Chelene

    I cannot believe he graduated! The years flew by!! LOVE this dress and really absolutely everything you create!

    1. Anita Morris

      I KNOW, Chelene! I’m still soaking it all in myself. Thanks, my friend!

  10. Martha

    What a gorgeous dress!! Perfect for a graduation! Congrats to your son!!

  11. Monique

    The dress looks very nice on you. I have a question about the lining. Is that a sheer knit? I like how you were able to blend the crepe as the fashion fabric and the knit as the lining. Gorgeous outfit!

    1. Anita Morris

      Thanks Monique! The lining is not really sheer, but very thin, so I use it for lining only.

  12. LaTonya Perry

    I love it Anita!!!!

  13. Joy Lewis

    Absolutely beautiful… Congratulations on your son’s graduation. I am really enjoying your sewing classes. Thank you

    1. Anita Morris

      Thanks Joy! Yaaaay! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the sewing course!

  14. Vicki (Sewnaptural)

    Gorgeous! You styled it well as usual. Your boy looks like his beautiful mama. Keep shining Anita. Your reflection is beaming in His light.

  15. Karlyn

    Anita! This dress is beautiful and you look gorgeous in it!

  16. Shawn

    This dress is SUPER DOPE!! Makes me wanna get out bed and sew!!

    1. Anita Morris

      Thanks Shawn! Get up, girl!Thread that machine, and get to work!

  17. Desiree Freeman

    YAAAAAAAASSSSSSS!!!!! I really want to say how “perfect” you are, but you know the love/semi-hate relationship we have. LAWD I love this right HEEEYAH!!!!

    1. Anita Morris

      LOLOLOLOLOL!!! You’re killing me! Love you BSS!

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