(Basic Bodice Design Series) Simple Simon and Company

We're thrilled to be able to introduce one of our favorite blogs, Simple Simon and Company!  They were once our very fierce competitor on Project Run and Play, but secretly we both just really enjoy everything they come up with!  The 2 Liz's just have a darling classic-vintage style, with clean and simple ideas.  How can you not like classic?!

Their photos are amazing...uh mazing, so, if you haven't stopped by their blog, you must!
Here are some of my faves from their past:

A darling dress she concocted from an old vintage pattern...i love it when they do that!


after which, she re-used the amazing dress for this Halloween costume, which I must admit made me laugh out loud, and say to myself...of course they came up with something that awesome for Halloween!  {I want to be them}

...and these amazing vintage cape which, obviously, is a dead ringer for Miss Audrey Hepburn {my fav}  fun right?

don't you just love them!
take it away, girls!
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Hi! I'm liZ, one of the two Elizabeth's over at Simple Simon and Company and we are so excited to be participating in Jen and Autie's Basic Bodice Series.

One of our favorite things to make for our girls are dresses, dresses, and more dresses.

Elizabeth and I have each drafted basic bodice patterns for our girls that we use constantly as a foundation for most of our dresses.

Two of the dresses that we made last month that started with our basic bodices are:

Hannah's Holiday Dress

and

Ruth's Ruffled Bodice Dress

Dresses are so fun.  If you find a basic bodice pattern that you like and fits well, stick with it and the possibilities to make from it are endless!

Today I get to share a super simple change you can make to any bodice pattern.

Currently it's one of my favorite little changes to make.  It's simple and easy but adds a lot to your look...especially if you are into the color blocking trend.

Here's a look at what I'm talking about:

It's a simplified color blocked bodice.

(Instead of a solid bodice this one has the top third in a different color and fabric.)

I kind of love it.

And like I said it's SUPER EASY to do.

Here's how I did it:

(There may be other, better ways, but this how I've been doing it and it totally works.)

The first thing I did was cut out some fabric that would be large enough to trace my bodice onto.  I needed a piece for the top stripe and for the bottom.

Next, with right sides together, I stitched those two pieces together.

After that I ironed (and top stitched) the two pieces of fabric.

Next I pinned on my bodice pattern.  (I did this where the red stripe would take up one third of the bodice and the patterned piece would make up the other two thirds.)

Once everything was situated like I wanted I cut out the front bodice piece.

Then from here I simply continued constructing the bodice and dress like I normally would.  Adding the stripe across the top was only a detour of a few minutes!

Like I said EASY.

But with a fun outcome!

Now this isn't the dress that I had planned to make.

The technique is what I wanted to share but this dress...it's all Grace.

I couldn't decide between a navy blue maxi dress with some awesome vintage yellow plaid across the top or a mocha colored maxi with white and yellow paisleys across the top.  But when I asked Grace to come look through the fabric pile with me she found this fabric in my stash and it was all over.

Soon I'll post the navy and plaid maxi...

However, I don't think Grace will like that one as much...

She's pretty much convinced that this is the best dress ever.

Thank you Jen and Autie for inviting us over today.  This is such a fun series.  We are looking forward to seeing what everyone makes!
-liZ