India sent me this fabric, and asked me what I thought could be made out of it … my initial response is that you could make a really big mistake out of this fabric!
But then I got to thinking, and realized that it would probably make a pretty good button-front shirtdress, especially if you pleated the skirt so that you got nice, even Nancy-stripes out of the checkerboard design. (Just about any novelty fabric will work in a shirtdress, because the form is so simple.) Also, I'm fairly sure that you could get Nancy Drew-themed buttons, although a cursory Google does not bear this out; you could also use the Nancy-face squares (or, more interestingly, the dialogue squares) to make big covered buttons.
You could also make a big circle skirt and make bias binding to trim a matching pink cardigan. Embroidering a big "ND" on the chest would be a nice touch.
I could also see this as a sheath dress, although you'd have to line it.
What would you do? Make sure to put pockets in it — Nancy Drew strikes me as the kind of heroine who always has a pocket. And a bobby pin in her hair in case she needs to pick a lock.
I have nearly talked myself into buying five yards of this damn stuff, and I'm not even a big Nancy Drew fan! If you want some, click on the image link. It's $10.99/yard, and there's only the pink and brown colorway — blue and brown is sold out. If you end up making any style of dress with this, please send me a picture!
A Dress A Day 
There seems to be a problem with the link . . . I think there is an error in the code.
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looks like equilter has the brown, blue combo.http://equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=66537&sid=31U9Hz1Tx2rlCEL-58106541411.e9
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Can you see how it all comes together now, the twin-sets and now this fabric for making the skirt you suggested? LOL!I hope there is only 1 piece of this fabric left on the planet! Cushions maybe?
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ok, here’s my take. Make the dress in one of those midriff patterns you so love, only make the midriff a solid color to match the print, pleat out the skirt according to the print, and trim off collar, sleeves, or whatever in piping to match the midriff.You’d also need a purse made out of this fabric. Might be overkill for this outfit, but it’d be great for all sorts of other outfits that need a lift. Plus, it takes less fabric. Leaving more money to buy other fabric, of course.
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Oh, the blue/brown colorway complicates things terribly. I love that combination, too, and it seems so much more serious, so much more Nancy.Of course, to me, the perfect Nancy combo would be a kind of cold green and brown. I think the set of books I tore through the summer that I was ten had greeny-yellow backs.I don’t think I could wear a shirtwaist of this, but maybe the circle skirt will do.Thanks, Erin!
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I love it! A sheath in it would be fantastic. I was a huge Nancy Drew fan back in the day.
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I think I’ll hold out for the Miss Marple print, thanks.
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Oh, wow! lol I wonder if Nancy would approve. I’d have to say a pleated shirtdress, if such a thing is possible. Or the Retro Butterick 4790 (http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/butterick/shop.cgi?s.item.B4790=x&TI='retro'&page=1) – maybe like the black one, with Nancy as the ‘black’ wraparound part, wrapping around a nice chocolate fabric or perhaps a golden colour like her hair. Oooo.Or – not a dress, but…! – one of those fabric wall panels a la Bella Dia. With a pocket to hold, say, binding or ric-rac or a copy of “The Secret of Shadow Ranch”.I used to love Nancy Drew, too. My friends and I would play Nancy Drew all the time. My (male) cousin has been every bad guy in the book. lol
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buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . . buy it . . .
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You’ve got to love this for the cute, novelty factor. I don’t even sew, and I’d love a piece just to look at it!I’d wear it if it were a button up shirt, if only to confirm my geeky status! 🙂
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I’m not sure it counts as a dress, but you’d absolutely have to make a jumper out of it. With a square neck, princess seams and an A-line skirt, for that ND sensible-but-still-feminine style. And of course large patch pockets in the front for carrying her notebook, pen, flashlight and bobby pins. To be worn with a pink blouse with a Peter Pan collar. This is soo not my style, but I can envisage it so clearly I’m tempted to make it.
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I was thinking a tote would be cute out of that fabric. Little girls or adults could use it.
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Not something to wear…throw pillows maybe? Ditto on the tote. Nancy was always described as a sharp dresser, so I don’t think she would approve of wearing a print like this.
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Bookbinding: It would make a killer book-cover.
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Here because Mandy led me here..I’m loving your site, and had to comment on the Nancy fabric. Were I to purchase some of this fabu fabric, I’d probably turn it into a tote, or cover my dayplanner with it, or make myself a fabulous apron…
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a clutch!!!
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Hmm, I like it.But I’d like it even more if it were Hardy Boys material, not Nancy Drew, since Hardy Boys is so much cooler than ND.
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Hmm, I like it.But I’d like it even more if it were Hardy Boys material, not Nancy Drew, since Hardy Boys is so much cooler than ND.
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Did you ever make anything with your fabric? I’d love to buy a yard if you still have any left, since I can’t find some anywhere! Thanks!!shawneeh at yahoo.com
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