Bleeding Violet Fashion

Last night I finished Bleeding Violet, by Dia Reeves, which was really imaginative and well written and somehow managed to be a lot of fun despite some deeply disturbing occurrences.  The narrator, Hanna, dresses only in purple as a tribute to her dead father, and she only wears dresses that she makes herself.  So, as a tribute to Hanna, let's talk DIY purple dressmaking.

The Budget Fashionista has an amazing list of blogs that are all about dressmaking, including the Fashion Sewing Blog, which has a great guide to understanding sewing patterns, Blog for Better Sewing, which has a lot of great tips and how-tos, and Fashions from the past, which has a lot of super cute ideas, including a dress based on 99 Luftballoons.  Another fun site is What the Craft, which has a lot of great gothy dress ideas.

And now, let us look at some beautiful purple dresses for inspiration.

This one is made of the most gorgeous plaid fabric (sold by handmate on Etsy)

This is adorable cartoon character clothing.  I want it.  (sold by lynnsrags on Etsy)

Do I even have to explain why I love this one?  (sold by HereandThereVintage on Etsy)

It's called the Birthday Cupcake Dress because that's what it looks like.  I don't know if I want to eat it or where it.  Maybe both? (available on ModCloth)

With it's high neck and many buttons, this is something that Hanna from Bleeding Violet might wear to frustrate the boys in their attempts to ogle and unbutton. (sold by persnicketyvintage on Etsy)

I hope you are sufficiently inspired.  Happy sewing!  Or, in my case, happy thinking about sewing but never quite having time to get around to it!