Casual, Corporate, Cocktails ... One Dress

* It's summer time and I'm loving the idea of simplicity and the idea of versatility with knits right about now.
I made this very simple dress in about an hour. I forget what I was looking up online but I found this video, watched it and thought 'Hey, I could do that'. I didn't bookmark it but I will update this post with the link when I find it.
I pulled out this knit fabric that has been in my stash for a while and got to cutting and sewing. I think I had just one yard of it.
It takes 4 stitches if you don't plan to finish the hem or neckline, which you could always do with a serger. I went ahead and finished them though with a straight stitch.

It's sooo easy to make and easy to wear.

I was thinking of what to showcase on the blog this week and came up with various ways to wear this dress.

Enjoy ...
(I haven't mastered the picture taking thing yet ... soon)
(... working on the bags under my eyes too)

** Follow us on Facebook (Zichie Designs) and Instagram (@zichie_designs and @e_fazion) and email (zichiedesigns[at]gmail.com) for custom orders.

Casual

For relaxing at home, running to the store, going to choir practice ...

Corporate

For work, business meetings, networking events ...

Cocktails

For night out with the girls, dinner with him (*wink), turn up (woo hoo!) ...

I should have worn jewels

(Sleeves tucked in for this one)

(Raised the hem for this one)

Try the hi-low hem trend too.

Hi-Low Peplum Skirts

* Boss told me last week that I am becoming known as an Ankara (African Print fabric, not the capital of Turkey) designer. Not bad, right? 

I thought about it and realized all (or at least 90%) of the items I have made in the last 3 months and maybe even further were all in ankara fabric. Probably because I know a lot of Africans and they place orders for ankara outfits as those cannot be readily found in stores over here :).

Anyway, it was time for a palette cleanser and once again, it started with a discussion with my sister.

Me: I bought this black and white knit fabric to make a quick peplum skirt. I'm thinking of flipping the fabric for the peplum so I can create some contrast.

Sis: You're making skirts, right?

Me: Maybe I can get 2 skirts out of the fabric. I'll trace the other knit skirt I made.

Sis: Skirts ... one for me.

Me: Oh. Right. Guess I could make yours first and perfect the process before I make mine. 

She had her skirt (yellow floral one below) about 2 hours later. I had mine a few days later. 

(And, yes, I did get 2 black and white skirts from the fabric. I'll post pictures of the 2nd one another time).

** We wore them to church on Father's Day - pictures below.
*** Follow us on Facebook (Zichie Designs) and Instagram (@zichie_designs and @e_fazion) and email (zichiedesigns[at]gmail.com) for custom orders.

Me & Le'Sis

Me @ Le'Car

Side & Front Views

(Hmm, didn't get a back view)

Le'Sis Taking a Selfie

In Other Father's Day News ...

Custom Order for Mrs. K for Father's Day

Knit & Leather Date Night Skirt

* Soon as I scheduled date night last month (February) with my best friend I knew what I wanted to wear (if I could finish it in time). I had been thinking of making a midi pencil skirt for a while and I took this as my chance to do so. I had a week and a couple of days and I wasn't going to bother with a perfectly drafted pattern so I chose some knit fabric from my stash. For something special, I decided to add a leather waistband.
** Thanks to Memkoh's 4 Ways to Wear: White Button-Down Shirt feature  on Style Me Africa, I've been re-thinking how I wear my own shirts and I knew this skirt would be the perfect pairing. Unfortunately, it's been really cold weather lately so the only time I wore the skirt out, I wore it with a sweater, tights and boots. I recently got a chance to style it with the dress shirt ... hope you like it.

One Day Dress w/Looooong Sleeves

Quote from Zi's Facebook post on this outfit:
"So this is how my Saturday was spent.....making this dress!
This is my first 1 day job (made on Saturday....worn on Sunday)!
I actually procrastinated studying for Anatomy for this.
Smh...
Anyways...it's an easy to wear, zipless, buttonless, ropeless, curve curving stretch dress with extremely loooong sleeves!
Lol...d uniquely long sleeves were a mistake turned original.
Let's just say it will keep my arms warm for a looooong time!"

Knit Dress with Ruffle Hem

   * Considering how versatile knit is, I wonder why I waited so long to make knit dresses. Think about it: no need for a zipper (and the precise placement that comes with it). The 1st one was the black & white maxi and this is my 2nd. The dress in this post was created using another dress as a pattern. I got to use my serger for all the side and joining seams and for gathering the ruffles. Easy, peasy, beautiful.
  ** Check out the 'Hers' page for other designs.
*** Check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs

 

 

The Making Of ... 

(pardon all the bags, we had just moved)

 

Dressed up with a Blazer for Church

 

Just the dress ...

Check out the neckline and flutter sleeves :)