making an Alemais dress that I can't afford out of Ikea bed spreads (for my graduation!)
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Published 2024-06-16
Ask me anonymous questions here ngl.link/steph___kennedy or leave them in the comments!
I made this dress from Ikea quilt covers and was inspired by the beautiful dresses by the brand Alemais. I can't believe I pulled this off!
ikea bed spread details:
white one - JÄTTELILJA ingka.page.link/rsRSpmNQ2YhFnoE17
navy one - NÄSSELKLOCKA ingka.page.link/DMcLJhqgMCYXu5rE8
patterns used:
Simplicity 8014 for the bodice and neck band/collar
Vogue V9299 for the sleeves
Vogue V8184 for the skirt reference piece - but mostly this was just a gathered rectangle skirt - www.carbonchic.com.au/2014/12/diy-gathered-50s-ski…
the alemais inspiration:
alemais.com/products/hotel-lamu-spliced-shirtdress
www.instagram.com/steph___kennedy
~my machine~
My sewing machine is a Bernina B215 which isn't made anymore, but this machine is the closest one available now - Bernina B325:
amzn.to/3SwnGxx
~my filming setup~
my camera - Canon 90D with kit lens: amzn.to/3FtfBlR
my other lens - Canon Nifty Fifty 50mm f/1.8 amzn.to/3QtqrP1
my microphone - SmallRig Video Mic: amzn.to/3Sb1Fo9
This video was recorded on Wann, Bede, Dharug and Gundungurra Country. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I work and live. I pay respect to Elders past and present.
Music credits:
Hero Theme by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc…
Artist: incompetech.com/
All Comments (21)
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It’s so lovely to see a young person making their own clothes. I remember 50 years ago buying a piece of brocade silk fabric on my way home from work one Fridayto go on a first date (sadly now my late husband) the next day, Saturday. The shop I bought the fabric from is still there and I can never walk past without memories. Making clothes is so special compared to buying something over produced. All the best.👍😁🇬🇧
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Your dress is prettier than the pricy ones.
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The dress is STUNNING ❤ I will never look at an Ikea bed sheet the same. You look beautiful in it
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Absolutely stunning. Congrats on your degree and the dress. “I can’t afford it but I want it” has been the biggest factor in my crafting skills all my life.
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It looks great, congrats on your graduation! Another tip for cheap linen, H&M do 100% linen doona/duvet covers and when they are on sale you can get a lot of fabric for a really good price. I also feel like people don't realise how long it takes to make things. I have had people ask where I got something and then ask me to make them one and offer to pay for the fabric (with no consideration of the time and effort it would take for me to make it),
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Now there’s a girl who does whatever it takes to get the dress that she wants! I’ve been doing this my whole life, ever since my AUNTIE gave me an old sewing machine for Christmas one year. I was a young teen and taught myself everything. LOVED THIS SOO MUCH. I know so many women who would give anything to have your figure, no lye. AWESOMENESS! Absolutely loved this video and your determination, you Rocked it! Congratulations honey, so proud of the woman in you!
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It looks really good, and fits beautifully, well done. I’ve been a dressmaker for 35 years, one day you will look back on this and your skills will be second nature and I guarantee the same dress will only take you 3 to 4 hrs, like everything in life the more you do it the more you learn.
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I never heard of an Alemais dress until this video. " No judgements please to anyone out there" I just looked it up online. You nailed it! I actually like yours better.
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Oh, and don’t shortchange your effort. You forgot to include your planning and designing time, your materials shopping time, and even transportation costs!!! This was a Herculean effort, fantastic success!
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That's pretty much a main reason I sew...making stuff I know I can't afford. Other reasons are: doesn't come in tall, my size, or in my country. Congratulations on finishing it and having a piece come from your head into reality.
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I sewed for all three of my daughters. I reckon I saved thousands. I also made bedspreads from on sale sheets. I’m still doing repairs and makeover clothing and stuff for my friends and family. The latest was a quick school uniform repair for my neighbours daughter. I’m 76 and it’s still not stopping. Lol.
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I LOVE THIS!! I mean the whole thing from the want to the IKEA shopping spree to the thrift buttons to the CONCEPTUALLY CUT HERE TO KEEP THE BIRDS to the marathon work/sew cram session. You looked STUNNING in that concept dress on graduation day. Girl you deserved your diploma just for this dress alone!! CONGRATULATIONS!!🎉🍾🎓
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People who can sew well are admirable. People who can do what you did here are super human, in my opinion! That dress was absolutely amazing ❤
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This posting makes me chuckle because as a senior in High School I made a (Mary Quant) dress out of a Damask type bead spread and wore it to an awards ceremony and I won. I was in such shock that I blurted out, "even my dress is made from a bedspread!' and got much applause. (I should have stopped before I took song requests...)
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Dress is gorgeous, looks SOOOOO expensive but is completely custom---"bespoke," I think they call it where the titled & wealthy hang out!> Congratulations on not just the dress but also on qualifying for the Procrastination Olympics which I am planning to get around to holding one of these days, not sure when or where, but eventually.
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Your dress is far more beautiful and elegant than the one that inspired it.
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Lyocell is one of the nicer types of rayon fabric,very breathable and drapey. It was originally made to be a affordable silk alternative. Your fabric choices came together beautifully. Congratulations on both your graduation and completing such a wonderful project.
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Technically the button bands are plackets, so you're not wrong. I was just reviewing Ikea's bed linen selection. Your dress is gorgeous 🤩
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Ikea has some incredible prints. I used to raid the bins of showroom chang-outs to make stuff for my kids, when they were little.. everything from curtains to covering and old "sofa" to clothing. They're all grown up now, and we're still doing that !!!😂 Ikea is such a good source for nice Material at a reasonable price. Good job girl !!
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Great thing about IKEA bedding is that all the patterns and colours in any current collection are all matched for interchangeability.
