Summer ain’t really over until my summer dresses start to look ridiculous. On me. Or in my closet. In the meantime, I live by the just-add-boots and just-add-cardigan rules of summer wardrobe extension.

This cotton dress in yellow plaid saw the light of day after many months in the “after baby” bin of clothes waiting for my waist to return. Now that I think about it, my time away from regular sewing and blogging was sandwiched between making this dress and the Family Friendly Floral Frock. Now I have the chance to restore balance to the universe by blogging it. We’ll call it The Plaid to be Back Dress.

The princess seams on this go-to Simplicity bodice have been painstakingly fitted. In fact, I was making tweaks to it last week for a new variation I’m planning. And, dare I say it’s one muslin away from perfection. I love that we are still BFFs after I cut her up to fit my curves. What other friend would hug you close after getting sliced and taped back together? We’ll be in each others lives a while.

I think the pleated skirt is a Simplicity number, too, but I can’t remember for sure. I probably had to add the pockets — the lack of pockets in most commercial patterns borders on criminal. Though, I won’t hate on the homies at Simplicity. Their A through D cup patterns rescued me from the streak of wadders I was sewing when I first started out. $5 a yard quilting cotton was also my savior back then. Patterns and color options for days, easy as hell to sew, and cheap enough for making wearable muslins. This yellow plaid fabric could’ve ended up in a quilt to keep me warm at night instead of becoming a lovely dress that keeps me from nudity during the day.

Sadly, its life outside of my closet will be short this year. The weather seems to be turning more undeniably fall-like by the minute and I’m running out of make-it-work-with-boots time. Speaking of work, here we are, accessorized for the office — the place where underappreciated handmade dresses brighten the halls and my mood.

How long do you milk your summer wardrobe before it gets packed away? Or are you a style ninja with a seasonless closet? I’d love to hear about what comes out (or stays in) your closet this time of year.