Sewing Summer Dresses

Every year I make a few dresses for myself - these are the ones I made last year.  The pink one is stretch twill, the one with black pockets a very slippery polyester (but it was a nice weight and I think I paid $1 meter for it) and the 2 on the right were lightweight knits - sort-ov with the feel of a swimsuit, but a bit heavier.  The brown one I made to pop on over my bathing suit for beach trips.  And the long-sleeved one was for colder Spring weather.  I got lots of use out of all these dresses and will still wear them in warmer weather.
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For this year - I think I will make another version of the pink one - in a stretch denim.  I also want to make 1 or 2 more of the funny one with black pockets.  I will omit the pockets, plus add an inch to the length.  There is also a sleeve option on the pattern so 1 dress I will do short-sleeves.  It is a nice, simple dress and I wore it all the time last summer.  So, I need 2 more!  Even though I didn't like the directions, had to change the keyhole opening to make it lay flat and added lots more top stitching - I think I said while making it that I would never make it again - but I just love wearing it, so there you go.  Maybe 1 in a print and a second in a solid color.  But they will have to wait until I get back to Canada where my patterns are! 
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Both of those dresses have an A-frame shape and zippers up the back.  Don't be afraid of zippers - they aren't so bad once you get used to them.  One trick my sister taught me was to baste the zipper opening closed with a large stitch and press it open.  Zip the zipper shut and place it right on that seam and sew it into place.  Undo the basting.  Perfect!  I don't understand why the pattern directions usually do it differently - it is soooo much more complicated the way the direction say and it never seems to line up perfectly either.  So, try my sister's way - she is a great sewer!
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In the meantime, I have found a pattern magazine over here that has THREE dresses in there that have caught my eye!  Now - if I can just find a fabric store where fabric is not 20 Euros and up PER metre and get some tracing paper - I will be ready to start on my summer dresses.  Most my dresses usually cost $7 - $10  to make when I use a coupon for the zipper and thread and pick out a sale fabric.  I almost always buy the patterns for $1 when Joanne's is having a pattern sale.  So, 20 Euros a meter just for the fabric alone won't do!  I think I would be too scared to even cut into the fabric if I paid that much for it!  I sew to have fun and to relax, not be scared!
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Day 3 of antibiotics and I am starting to feel a little better, but not good enough to really get up for long yet.  I haven't been this sick since my son was 3 - but he has been a good sport and brings board games and cards into the bedroom to play with me.  And - at least I can lay in bed and dream about summer dresses while I get my rest!  I guess that is a good activity on cold, winter days!
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Are YOU thinking of making any summer clothes for this year?  Now is a good time to get a head-start!