Sewing Stash Challenge

Request

2012-01-18T21:50:00.000-06:00

The other day my daughter called to say Caitlin was watching the movie Snow White and then noted that she didn't have a Snow White dress.
"Call Grandma and tell her to make a Snow White dress for me" was the request.

As good luck would have it, there was 50% off sale at Fabricland. So off I drove to the nearest town with an F'store all the while trying to recall what Snow White's dress looked like.
Looking through the pattern books, I found a picture and promptly bought some quilting cotton to match what I saw because I knew I didn't have the correct colours of cotton in my stash.

Using my own basic bodice style pattern the only modification was creating a V in the front bodice section and subsequent front skirt section plus adding red to the sleeves. There is an excellent tutorial (here) showing the sleeve technique.

Oh, and instead of having the collar pieces meet at the front, they meet at the back with a large gap at the front.
I didn't use any interfacing because I suspect a standing collar would be uncomfortable.

So here's the finished dress. It's size 4 and plenty big enough to wear over regular clothes.

On a trip down to the city to visit my mother, I stopped in to see Caitlin and give her the dress. She loved it. And as good luck would have it, her daddy bought her a Snow White tiara to match.

(I over-adjusted the red-eye and gave Caitlin a big blue eye in the process .... ooops.)

And it twirls perfectly too! The dress is large enough to fit over a coat, so if she wants to wear it to the playground, she's good to go.

I have to say, I'd rather be making a smocked dress or something similar in the little girl dress category as opposed to a cartoon character outfit. But when I heard a little voice on the phone say to me "can you make me Snow White dress, Grandma" I melted.

Caitlin is only 2 1/2 years old and I just can't recall any of my 3 children at that age asking for something specific to wear.
Well, like any Grandmother worth her salt, I'm going to assume she is just plain brilliant!

New Years Eve Dress

2011-12-27T08:38:00.000-06:00

I can whip out an Oliver + S Bubble dress in no time. From cutting out the fabric to hand stitching the bodice on the inside takes me about 2 hours. Even modifying the Bubble Dress using McCall 5964 for the bodice and sleeves. (Although I'm not completely happy with the sleeves.)

I've also got a love affair going with corsages. It just seems to finish off a little girls dress.

I love how the lining floats with the outer fabric where the dress "bubbles".

At any rate, I'm sure my granddaughter will not be up at midnight with her parents on New Years Eve. But I know who will be.....my grandson......for his 11 o'clock feeding.

Isn't he just the cutest little fellow ever?

I've got a huge container full of corduroy and his mom say's he needs overalls. Yeah! More stash bustin' projects for 2012!!

Christmas gift sewing

2011-12-26T11:28:00.000-06:00

My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter just loves the Wizard of Oz.

When I was her age, well, actually older than her age, that movie scared the beejeebers out of me. The witch, her monkeys even the Wizard frightened me so much so that I hid behind the chesterfield when they appeared on the tv screen, which back in those days was black and white.

At any rate, Caitlin is not even fazed by the images in bold colour and on a huge tv screen. She is brave like Dorothy.
Since she loves the movie so much, for a Christmas gift I made her a dress like Dorothy's complete with (store bought) ruby slippers and a basket containing with Toto. (Yeah for on-line ordering!)

I made the dress large enough to fit over her regular clothes.

Here she is on Christmas Day wearing the Oliver + S Bubble Dress and velvet shrug I made earlier. She is opening the Wizard of Oz dress-up outfit.

Well, it was a hit and off came the Christmas bubble dress on on went the Dorothy dress!

And there she goes ..... off to see the Wizard .... or at least wade through the quagmire of wrapping.

She wore the dress all day long and through Christmas dinner.

And as for the ruby slippers, she clicked her heels together many times..........

'cuz there's no place like home!

I used the Basic Bodice dress by Collars Etc. for the Dorothy dress pattern adding longer sleeves, a zipper opening at the back and a separate waistband sash with straps. For the collar I simply cut a strip of fabric on the bias and added ric rac. Size 2.

Christmas Dress #3

2011-12-11T07:19:00.001-06:00

Using the Oliver + S Bubble Dress pattern for the skirt and McCalls 5964 for the bodice , here is Christmas dress number 3.

The devil made me buy this red party fabric. It was on sale, I was convinced, for exactly the amount of spare change I had in my pocket. And besides, it was sparkly and Christmassy looking, even my better judgement couldn't resist.

However I used black cotton for lining and black velvet for the bodice all from my stash. Therefore, I feel somewhat redeemed.

I made a little rosette from the fabric. I cut a strip about 30cm long (12 inches) and 5cm wide (2 inches) folded the fabric in half and ran a basting stitch using strong quilting thread along the raw edge.
Then slowly, pull on the thread at one end to gather and roll until the fabric looks like a rose. Then stitch in the middle to hold everything together. I put a button in the centre as well and then stitched it to the bodice.

The dress is size 2.
I only needed a small amount of the red fabric for the skirt. But all the black cotton and black velvet got used up and has made way for the red fabric that's now left over!

Christmas dress #2

2011-12-06T12:14:00.000-06:00

My daughter came with me to Fabricland and she picked out the fabric for a Christmas dress.
Using Oliver + S pattern, Bubble dress, here's the dress. I'm pleased with the results.

And it looks good on Caitlin. It's size 2.
Because it has a capped sleeve, I ordered some sage green velvet from On-line fabric to make a shrug.

The order was sent right away and I will certainly use them again if I need to get something that isn't in my stash.
Using McCalls 5964 in size 2, I whipped up the shrug. It's a little small, so next time I'll make size 3.

The velvet is stretchy so for the lining, I used a stretchy fabric I found in the 'slinky' bin at Fabricland.

Mom likes the dress. Caitlin likes the dress. Grandma loves the fabric.

Christmas Dress #1

2011-11-20T10:43:00.000-06:00

At least 8 years ago, I pleated and smocked the front section for a dress that I got the idea from in either Sew Beautiful, Creative Needle or AS&E. It was so long ago, I just can't recall.

When my daughter suggested a smocked Christmas dress size 3, for Caitlin I jumped into action, rooted through the UFO box and pulled out the smocked front section and uncut plaid cotton fabric and velvet for the collar and cuff.

Using a basic bodice style pattern, using size 3, here's the completed dress.

It's windy outside so it looks a little askew.

I even had the foresight back then to include in the UFO bag the tiny little black buttons that appeared on the dress in the magazine.

I piped the velvet collar in the same plaid fabric, but used black cotton to pipe the smocked section to the front yoke.

While out shopping I came across these dear little black velvet ballet style shoes in size 7 and made 2 little bows using the plaid fabric. They are just stitched in place over top of the existing bow. They can be removed easily.

Cutting out the back bodice section required at little fussy cutting to match the plaid as did cutting the back skirt section so the the sides matched.

The sleeves match the front section and that was truly a fluke! I had cut them out before realizing they needed to match but thought, oh what the heck, it'll be fine if they don't. Go figure!

The tucked hem was a snap because I could follow the plaid lines with the iron to get the fold exact.

I am really pleased with the outcome and think my daughter and granddaughter will be too.

Home Dec on Deck

2011-11-11T06:55:00.000-06:00

The weather is beginning to turn, albeit in a roller coaster fashion going from mild to chilly and back again, but this morning there was a very light dusting of snow on the railing. Once the sun rises, it'll be gone. However this change in weather hearld's a new season ....... sewing season!

First up on deck is a home dec project.
My daughter bought a quilt and sham from Pottery Barn Kids for Caitlin's 'big girl bed'. She asked if I could make two pillows to match. I think they turned out well.

With leftover fabric I made Polly Dolly. She is basically a stick figure; triangular dress in fashion fabric, head, arms and legs in muslin. I made the pattern myself, it was very easy.

Polly Dolly is a sister to Molly Dolly. I made Molly years ago. She was the prototype and a favourite doll for Caitlin when she comes to visit.

And if you ever want a friend to join you at a Tea Party in Grandma's Gazebo (a.k.a. Zee-gee-bo), then Molly Dolly is your gal!

Sewing room makeover

2011-11-08T15:16:00.000-06:00

My sewing room was taking on a life of it's own. Despite trying to use up my stash I felt like was becoming a hoarder.

There was crib in the room too, and it was a nightmare cleaning up making sure there were no pins on the floor.

When it wasn't being used as a nursery, it was truly a messy place. Time for a complete make over!

The crib got moved to the Treehouse (guest cottage) and a single bed put in it's place. I made some red plaid drapes, headboard and bedskirt. Trimmed a side table with red plaid inserts and bought new lamp.

I put some funky Canadiana folk art object in the window. Our whole cottage has the lodge look, so this room fits in well with the rest of the decor.

Then I installed a long drapery rod and hung black drapes to hide the unsightly shelves holding the bins of fabric, notions, patterns and book. But I can pull them back and leave them open when I'm sewing the room.

I have a card table with a large cutting board that I can set up along with an ironing board when working on a project.
But if the bed has to be used for an overnight guest, it can all be easily put away and become a cozy room!

Now to find the time for serious sewing!

Rapunzel Dress

2011-09-15T17:51:00.000-05:00

So here's the outcome of the Rapunzel Dress I made for Caitlin.
Standing in front of a full length mirror, Caitlin examines her image.

This looks good on me.

Then she checked for twirlability.

Twirls okay.

She liked the matching tiara too. The dress was hit with Caitlin. And mom likes it too because she can wear it over her regular clothes and pop it off when she eats dinner or goes out in the backyard to play. Apparently, she has been wearing the dress on a daily basis.

Just love my new dress!

I was down to visit the other day and stayed long enough for a spaghetti dinner. Caitlin told me that she loves spaghetti. I said, "then why don't you marry it?"
She said "okay", so now I will make a bride dress for her, just like Princess Kate's dress which is what she wants.
Great! Now I can use up all the leftover peau de soie, dupioni and lace I have from various bridesmaids projects.

Sewing again.

2011-09-05T18:03:00.000-05:00

I had a request for a Rapunzel outfit from 2 year old Caitlin. In my stash I found mauvey pink dupioni silk, leftover from a Grade 8 graduation dress I made back in the mid-90's. Then after a quick trip to Fabricland, I found some mauvey pink cuddle satin, sparkly mauvey pink something-or-other fabric and pink ribbon along with some pink rat-tail cording.

Using Collars Etc. pattern Bodice Dress, I whipped this outfit up in just a few hours. The left sleeve looks puckered, but it's not. I overlooked fixing it before I took the shot. Oh well. And now that I look at the photo again, the hem looks puckered too.

Based on the dress from Tangled.

On the sleeve, I stitched rows of pink ribbon on the dupioni sleeve portion and inserted both the dupioni and sparkly fabric at the same time. There isn't any elastic in the dupioni cuff because Caitlin might be wearing a long sleeved t-shirt under the dress when the weather get colder.

For the bodice front, I cut one from cuddle satin and one from dupioni. Cutting the dupioni portion in half, folding in the edges, I stitched on loops of pink ribbon so the rat-tail cord could be woven through and then basted it to the front cuddle satin piece.

The front skirt is layers of cuddle satin, the sparkly fabric and side front panels and back of dupioni with mauve lace joining the skirt and bodice. The skirt is long because Caitlin will most likely wear pants under the dress on cold days.

Lastly, I stitched mauve lace along the bottom of the dupioni skirt sections.

As good luck would have it, I found a purple crown although it looks blue in the photo.

So now Caitlin has a fun little dress-up outfit to wear when she's in a Princess mood!

This is first sewing I've done since the ice went out last April. Now that autumn is in the air and gardening season is just about done, I'll be reacquainting myself with my machine. There are lots of projects I have in mind .... right after the falling leaves get raked.

Gone Fishin' (again)

2011-04-25T06:04:00.000-05:00

I'm glad I took the time to make the little fishing game because it turned out to be a hit!

I was worried that Caitlin might get the magnet out of the felt hook but now I'm worried she'll poke herself or someone else in the eye with her fishing pole.
Does worrying ever stop? I don't think so!!!

I made the dress she is wearing back in March 2009 using a pattern from AS&E and the link is here.
My daughter said to make more dresses using this pattern as she really likes it.

Changed the buttons after this photo.

But all sewing projects are on hold right now. There are just too many outdoor projects that have been waiting all winter for my attention.

So once again, I've 'Gone Fishing' !!

Speaking of fish......

2011-04-24T07:30:00.000-05:00

While still deep in the midst of spring cleaning, I found time to make this quick little project. I got the idea from here and here.

It's the age old magnetic fishing game and since Caitlin is learning about colours and numbers I was able to not only use up just about all of the googly eyes in my stash but all the colours of felt too.

I simply drew out a shape of a fish and cut two of each colour. Then sandwiched a paper clip between the two layers and stitched embroidery floss (3 strands) around the edge making sure to stitch a little extra around the paper clip to hold it in place. Lastly, numbered the fish using a felt pen. I tried using fabric paint in a squeeze bottle, but it got caught up in the fuzz on the felt.

Finding a stick, attached a piece of string and fashioned a hook shape from felt. Inside the felt hook is a small round magnet. I made lots of stitches to hold the magnet inside the hook, but I will warn Caitlin's mom to supervise her when she uses this in case the magnet comes out. I fret about kids and small objects like the size of this magnet.

Then I needed a fish pond. I thought about making a cloth bucket. Then I toyed with the idea of covering a box with the remaining felt in shapes of waves and other aquatic life. But then I stumbled upon this basket. Perfect!

All the fish fit perfectly inside plus there are two handles.

If I were to make this project again I might make the fish larger in different shapes using scraps of fashion fabrics and have features on the fish like fins and gills. The fish would be stuffed too. Little softie fish. Instead of using paper clips perhaps use grommets.

The fish pond would be a cloth bucket with aquatic life or maybe just shells appliqued on the sides. Oh, and rope handles.

Okay. Back to spring cleaning...............

Gone Fishin'

2011-04-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

Spring is here, the snow has melted, the ice is off the lake and the great outdoors is calling me away from sewing.

Bucket & Bubble

2011-03-26T17:00:00.000-05:00

Today I made a Bubble Dress (from Oliver + S) and a Bucket Hat (Little Things to Sew book) and used up the remaining Amy Butler and a matching green polka dot fabric. Oh, and a whole package of turquoise bias binding.

Used every scrap of these fabrics.

Because there wasn't a lot of this fabric, but enough to make a dress, I had to get creative cutting out the pieces. The paisley pattern gets cut off at the top on the skirt portion as there just wasn't enough to jiggle the pattern piece any other way. The bottom looks a little uneven, but that's just the bubble effect and it hasn't been washed yet.

Apparently, everything I make smells a little like fire. No wonder. We heat with wood and I usually do my hand stitching in front of the fireplace. So this item will go through the washer and get ironed just before it leaves here.

Getting back to cutting, the bodice is also a off balance. There just wasn't enough fabric to get the paisley pieces even. Therefore to divert the eye, I made a big flower from bias binding, a yo-yo and a button.

Chances are, Caitlin will be wiggling and hopping around, therefore no will notice any of these details.

I stitched the bias binding into a tube shape and using a Fast Turn, slipped cording into the bias tube. I cut them into 5 6" strips, looped them and stitched them together.

I used up all of the remaining green dot for the lining in the bodice.........

......and in the hem.

Lucy looking in.

Lastly, the hat is size small and the dress is 24 months.

Another fitting trip.

2011-03-24T18:26:00.000-05:00

Using the Children's Corner pattern Adelaide, I made Caitlin a pretty little yellow check dress. The fabric is a lightweight synthetic that is much like wool.

Posing for 1 nano second.

Here's a close up of the fabric while I was making the front knife pleats.

Knife pleats are easy!

The instructions for the pattern are vague. They assume the person using the pattern knows how to sew well. Fortunately, on the Children's Corner website, there is an instructional video to explain some of the techniques. Go here for those instructions.

Adelaide

I wanted to use rabbit or chick buttons on the front but the colour buttons I had didn't work well with the fabric. I also have white rabbit buttons but they have a shank and didn't sit well on the dress.

So I used 2 four hole buttons and made a little flower using a french knot and lazy daisy stitch in the button hole.

A little blury.

Grandpa making her laugh.

On the piping for the collar and cuffs, I whip stitched 6 strands of floss matching the background fabric colour. I used Tiger Tape to keep the stitches even.

Tiger tape. A stitchers best friend.

Caitlin wasn't keen to take off her stockings. She wasn't keen on trying on the dress either, but acquiesced after much coaxing. The dress is size 24months and it fits her perfectly, right now. In another month or so, it'll be too tight.

Perfect dress for Easter.

The big hit was the Red Riding Hood Cape and the book. Caitlin loved the book and asked me to read it over, and over and over while wearing her cape and holding on to the little basket.

Look! There's a little girl with a basket and red cape that looks just like me!

I thought for sure she might be frightened or become worried about the wolf. In fact, she thought he was funny. However, she was really concerned about the Woodsman who came in to Grandma's house to scare away the wolf. I suppose it was his angry face and the axe he was holding that gave her rise for concern!

Red Riding Hood's cape.

2011-03-17T13:45:00.000-05:00

I made a Little Red Riding Hood cape today for Caitlin. And I even have a ~~labrador~~ wolf to help with the story.

Hurry up and tell your sewing story. I want to play!

The pattern comes from the book Little Things to Sew. I think it took me about 2 hours to cut and construct the cape. It was really simple and easy.

However, the smallest size (size medium) fits up to size 4 and Caitlin barley fits into size 2. So I took 5/8 seam allowances hoping to shrink the overall size somewhat. She'll just have to grow in to it. It's supposed to be for dress-up anyway.

About 8 years ago I found this wonderful Little Red Riding Hood fabric by Marcus Brothers. I bought a meter hoping that one day I would be a Grandmother and I could make something with it for a grandbaby. So when I saw the book "Little Things to Sew" I knew right away I could use that fabric for lining on the Cape pattern.

"Here Red. Take this obscure looking food to your Granny in the woods."

Why Grandma. You look an awful lot like a labrador!"

Hope this isn't poison ivy.

I even covered the button with the fabric.

Self portrait.

It's difficult to take a photo of the cape so I asked my assistant to help out.

Don't you just hate dog owners. They're nuts.

I also bought the book Little Red Riding Hood so Caitlin can wear the cape while someone reads the story to her.

It's a fun little book with pop up windows revealing parts of the story.

I want to make 3 little dolls to go with the book but like every Granny that lives in the woods, I've got some chores to look after first.

When all this wood gets split and stacked, there are a couple of little outfits cut and ready to go.

It's not such a daunting task Lucy. Your predecessor, Rosie, loved helping.

SEW WOW!!!

2011-03-17T06:47:00.000-05:00

There's an on-line magazine I just stumbled upon called Sew Wow. And WOW it is! Talk about inspiration!! It's full of beautiful childrens' clothing (available in kits) featuring patterns from Oliver + S, Children's Corner ... all the favourites.

And not only is it full of gorgeous outfits, there are tips, tricks and lots of information covering topics of sewing. In many respects, this magazine is very similar to Creative Needle.

Here are the issues and I've made a link to view each issue. Wow!

Click HERE for this issue.

Click here to view this issue

Click here for this issue

Click HERE for this issue.

Click on here for this issue.

Click here for this issue.

Fitting trip.

2011-03-13T16:42:00.000-05:00

We made a trip down to the city today and stopped by Caitlin's house to try on the latest items I made for her.

The Popover dress was a little too large on the front. Both back and front upper panel sections need to be reduced by at least 1 1/2 inches. It was little long too. Here I was worried it was too short and added the dark green hem panel.

Chocolate treat in the pocket.

The "Isabelle" smocked dress fit absolutely perfectly. Yeah! And it was really sweet on her too.

David Letterman teeth.

I knew the Birthday Party Dress was going to fit perfectly, and it did. Everyone liked the big yellow bow in the front.

New haircut. No more Mullet.

I've got 2 dresses left to finish this week. Then I plan to start working on some items from this book that arrived last week.

But I can't decide which item from the book to make first!

Smocking & Stitching

2011-03-11T11:36:00.000-06:00

I made 3 dresses this week. The first one is from Oliver + S called the Tea Party Dress. My daughter really likes this pattern so naturally I made another one.

On the front facing, I pinked the lower edge ( in the middle section) so that when it all folds together at the 3 pleats, it isn't as bulky. However I neglected to pink the front hem facing in the same spot. The hem facing is serged, and is bulky at the 3 pleat spot.

Size 2T

Next dress was a smocked dress using the pattern Isabelle by Wendy Schoen.

Size 1

I really like the sleeve cuff.

Here's what the pattern piece looks like.

But I'm not happy with the front smocked section. For some reason, it wasn't wide enough and therefore the smocking became distorted when I stretched it to fit the front yoke.

I am really sure I cut the front piece to the correct size but who knows. Maybe I didn't.

Over the years I've made zillions of smocked dresses and this is the first one that's horribly distorted. Perhaps I'm just losing it!

I used 2 strands of Floche for the smocking and 1 strand of Floche for the bullion roses.

Distorted pleats.

The last dress is the Pop Over Sundress by Oliver + S. It's a free download from HERE.

I didn't mean to have a green hem panel but I cut the dress short by accident therefore, I needed to add the hem section. Perhaps I am indeed losing it!

I put an extra large pocket on the front and plan to get a little toy to hide inside it.

Size 2

I've got 2 more dresses cut out and ready to go. Despite sewing up a storm lately, my stash doesn't seem to be depleting very quickly.

Winners, Losers & Next Year.

2011-03-01T18:42:00.002-06:00

We drove down to the city to see Caitlin and try on the little dresses I made. We only had an hour because her nap time was looming and I also had to take my elderly mom to the doctor.

Here's the outcome.........

Mom and Caitlin loved the Jump Rope Dress. I extended the front placket by 1 inch and that seemed to help getting the dress on and off.

How many moms does it take to dress one little girl?

I put little toy animals in the pockets, which was a hit as before. Caitlin really likes pockets so I'll have to include them in every outfit I make.

The dress fit perfectly. It was size 2T.

Dollar store treasures.

Her mom absolutely loved the Birthday Party Dress. (Wait'll she has to iron it! tee-hee) Caitlin wasn't too enthralled because there were no pockets. Oh, and dig those crazy brown socks!

Now we come to the "Next Year" category.......

Mom loved the fabric for this Bodice Dress from Collars etc. She picked it out from my stash a year ago noting that she liked the colours. However the dress is just too big. I made size 1.

Mom loved the Puppet Show Dress, but it was also too big. I made size 2T. So it'll have to wait until next year to get used.

Where are the pockets?

This little dress is from Wendy Schoen and the pattern is called Jane. It's size 1. And it's too big. So off it goes to the closet for a year.

The beloved Bubble Dress in size 2T was too big as well. Mom loved the fabric and she loves this style of dress.

I plan to make it again in size 18-24months but I'll lengthen the bodice and make the skirt portion plain and not with the bubble hem or lining.

Lucy is searching for a cookie, Caitlin is searching for a pocket.

On to the losers.......

Mom did not like the Ice Cream Dress tunic top at all. She doesn't like the neck. The fabric was okay, but not the style.

Needless to say she didn't like the dress either. It was also too big. I made size 2T.

Caitlin is 22 months old. She is in the lower percentile. I don't get the percentile thing. When my kids were growing they were categorized as big, like Aunt So-in-So, or short, like Uncle Ron or tiny, like Cousin John. One thing I do know is, most size 2T won't fit her just yet.

So it's back to the sewing room, haul out the smaller size patterns, and get cracking. I heard on the radio earlier today that the spring weather outlook for our area is for a cooler than normal spring, and arriving later than usual. Stupid Groundhog, he got his forecast all wrong. Anyway, it all means that I just got a few more weeks to spend indoors sewing before getting called outside to garden, paint and best of all, swim!

Spring Dresses

2011-02-28T15:38:00.000-06:00

I've been busy this past week.

First up is Oliver + S pattern called Puppet Show Dress. The fabric is called Auntie Grace Ties One On. I suppose it was meant for an apron, but I like it just fine made up in this little dress. I really like the pattern and was lucky that I found it because it's out of print.

Size 2T

Second up is another pattern that's out of print. This one is called Bubble Dress and again, I was lucky to find the toddler size pattern. The next time I make this dress, I'm going to try and lengthen the bodice and dispense with the bubble part.

It needs a boutique bow on the front. Project for later today.

Third one up is called Jump Rope Dress, (view B). I lengthened the front placket by 1 inch making it easier to get in and out of. I have a lot of this vintage themed fabric left over so maybe I'll make a matching hat or dolls clothes.

Ooops. It needs ironing!

This one is the tunic top from the Ice Cream Social dress pattern. The fabric is vintage theme by Auntie Grace. I'm not really crazy about this outcome. But hey, I used up fabric!

Heart wasn't in this one.

Lastly, I just about used up all of this blue polka dot fabric. I think I bought it way back when Princess Diana made polka dots popular with her fabulous outfits. I also bought several meters of corresponding blue fabric and I plan to make a little blue jacket to go with this dress. Oh, and blouse too, but the blouse will be white.

Tea Party Dress. 2T

On the front tab, I used a quilting stitch and added piping as I did on the Tea Party dresses I made a year ago.

Used rayon thread and quilt stitch.

So that's it for this week. I have a few more projects in mind and plan to get started on them in a few days. Pressure is on right now to get as much sewing done before warmer weather comes and gardening chores call.

Button Willow Cottage

2011-02-28T07:38:00.000-06:00

There's a delightful blog I often visit. It's quiet and peaceful. No giveaways, no ads, no pop-ups and no comments either. Just a peaceful respite. It's called Button Willow Chronicles.

It's run by a gentle lady named Lauren. Pour a cup of tea and wander over to her cottage.

Bright spring dress.

2011-02-22T14:47:00.000-06:00

Despite setting my camera on "beach/snow' there is still a lot of glare from the snow on the ground. While this dress is bright orange it's not as glaring as this photo suggests. Oh well.

I was able to whip this one up in just a few hours. The piping took the most time.

I omitted the collar as shown in the pattern. I wasn't sure what colour the collar should be, so I just left it off.
I made Size 1.

Here's my messy sewing room. It's been a slow process using up my stash, however, I've stumbled on another way to 'bust my stash'.

On the weekend, my son came to visit bringing three friends with him. One of the friends, a girl, after seeing my sewing space commented on how she was planning to make a baby quilt using black and white toile. So I reached into a box a pulled out about a 1/2 meter of b&w toile as well as some accent fabric. I was able to give her more than enough to make a baby quilt.

Then she commented on how she doesn't have a sewing machine. So I gave her one. Plus a rotary cutter, a large quilters plastic ruler and a bunch of quilting books. I'm happy those items went to a good home!

On a sewing blog that I follow, a woman has the same type of doors (and shelves) as I do. I'm only posting the door so she can see the similarity. These aren't exactly your run of the mill doors, hence the uniqueness of the similarity.

Ice Cream Dress

2011-02-18T18:26:00.000-06:00

I cut out two Ice Cream Dress patterns and was able to whip one up yesterday. The colours are a brighter than in real life and I think that's because of the snow glare. The pink in the hem and bodice isn't quite as intense as seen here.

So here's the deal with the Ice Cream Dress.... it's drop dead easy. I was fretting about attaching the back yoke, but with a simple snip of the main dress fabric, it was easy to attach the two together.

Get out your Ray Bans.

I managed to match the pocket pattern with the main dress pattern reasonably well too. Not crazy about the topstitching though. As I mentioned before, my machine has topstitching thread issues pulling the thread down into the feed dogs and therefore needs to go to the repair shop. But the repair shop guy is a long drive away in Parry Sound on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay, hard by Lake Huron. On the next good weather travel day, perhaps I'll make the trek.

My machine needs to go to the vet.

This dress was inspired by a dress in a 1925 magazine. As good luck would have it, I've got the second dress cut out in repro vintage fabric, so it ought to look good.

The next test is if it fits and is liked. If so, I'll make a load of these dresses because they are so quick and easy to make plus I can bust a whole lot of my stash.

Fashion show.

2011-02-16T04:31:00.000-06:00

I was able to have a 1 hour audience yesterday to try on the little outfits I made for Caitlin.

Here's the first outfit. It's the 2+2 blouse. Caitlin liked the colour "lellow" but her mom didn't like the style of the blouse.

She didn't want to take off her long sleeve Onsie.

The skirt fit well which surprised me because I guessed at the waist measurement. I hid little plastic animals in the pockets, so Caitlin really liked the skirt and her mom did too.

Skirt pockets were a hit.

They both really liked the School Photo dress. It fit well, maybe a little long though.

Toy coming out of the pocket.

It's not a twirling dress but certainly a Go-Go dress!

Show me love!

Here another version of the School Photo dress which I didn't care for after I made it. But on Caitlin, it looked much better.

Bending makes it easier to find a toy in a pocket.

The little toy animals were a hit........

A bear! Just like at Grandma's house in the woods.

.... as were the pockets.

The Jump Rope dress was another matter. It was really difficult to get this dress on Caitlin. Almost impossible. I've made this dress before using another view (without the gathered skirt and belt) and it was easier to get on. If I make this dress again, I would lengthen the front opening by a good inch or more.

My daughter picked out and paid for this fabric. I'm not so sure she liked the pattern I chose to make it up with though.

What's in this pocket?

I'd shorten the hem too if I made it again. But I wouldn't omit the pockets!

Wait. There's something in here!

According to my daughter, not too many moms dress their children up in nice outfits where she lives. At the library, gym or other mom/tot groups mostly the children wear track pants and knit tops.

So I'm not sure if that was a cue for me to stop making any more outfits.

Oh well, I have a couple of summer dresses cut out and ready to go, so I'll finish those. As for the rest of the fabric that I'm trying to use up (and there's an awful lot of it) I'll have to dream up other projects.

Tops that need ironing.

2011-02-14T15:15:00.000-06:00

These tops aren't going to go over well with my daughter because they need ironing. In many respects, they're just muslins until I can get better fabric.

I used 100% cotton from the line Auntie Grace's 40's fabric.

The pattern is Oliver + S. It's size 2 of the 2+2 blouse. The skirt is from their pattern called Music Class skirt.

Here's the first one I made which I managed to make a zillion mistakes on. Since I couldn't find cotton in green or yellow to match the little Scotties I opted for beige. Boring. This fabric is from the same Auntie Grace 40's line.

I'm hoping they'll look better on, than hanging limp on a hanger.

I had a lot of problems topstitching these blouses. For some reason, topstitching thread wouldn't work in my machine. It kept ending up in the bobbin area and clogging up the works. Perhaps my machine needs to a trip to the Husqvarna service man.

Basic white blouse.

2011-02-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

I happened to see a TV show that was showing how to build a wardrobe. The woman suggested everyone should have a white blouse. Then add a basic skirt, skinny pants (black) and a trench coat. Well, that sounded fairly straightforward but I checked out this my fashionista daughter, Twin A, who concurred.

(When she was a teen and I arrived at the breakfast table wearing something she deemed out-of-style she would say to me "Mom, the 80's called and they want their clothes back.")

I rely on her for all the latest trends. I hoping she'll tell me shoulder pads are back in style because I still have a load of them.

But I digress.

Armed with the 'white blouse' information I went to work to make Caitlin a perfect little white blouse to be her wardrobe basic essential.

Size 2T. White poly-cotton.

Then I made a basic skirt. I broke from my stash challenge rule and bought some beige twill.

Cute little pleats.

Together, the two essentials look good. I have some plans to make a jumper that will also go with the blouse; a jacket that will go with both blouse and skirt. If I could knit, I'd make a little cardigan.

I'm a non-knitting granny.

The pattern I used was Oliver + S, Music Class blouse and skirt. Once again, the pattern was drop dead easy. However the blouse was a bit fiddly (no pun intended) as it needed many tucks. But they weren't difficult to do by any means.

I am really happy with the results. It looks clean and crisp.

Ooops.

2011-02-08T15:12:00.000-06:00

I had some lovely French cotton that I used to make this sweet little dress about a year ago. It turned out well and I was happy with the results. Well, maybe not with the embroidery part as I'm still trying to figure out how to center letters.

With the leftover fabric, I made up this dress and I'm not happy with the results.

The fabric is so light, that the inside pocket shows. Mostly, I think the dress looks like something the school nurse back in the 60's would wear. Originally, I was going to use some French cotton that was navy, but thought it might be too dark for a toddler. And the buttons aren't white enough.

This fabric creases like crazy so I doubt my daughter will like this one at all.

Oh well. Chalk this up to experience.

They'll be ga-ga at the Go-Go.

2011-02-07T09:51:00.001-06:00

I can't stand it! This pattern is just too .... oh.... I don't know .... Mary Quant? Oleg Cassini? Andres Courreges? .... wait ...... GROOVEY! It makes me sing 60's tunes when I sew. To complete the mood I even found some 60's style fabric. And that reminds me, this dress definitely needs Go-Go boots!

When baby grows hair she'll need a 5-point cut.

The fabric is a heavier weight poly-knit-bonded-worsted whatever. I really have no idea what it is but I know I had a dress made from this type of fabric back in the 60's.

Flower power.

Of course the pattern is from Oliver + S and it's called School Photo Dress. I made it in size 2T.

Getting back to the fabric, it is double sided and I literally had to toss a coin to decide which side to use.

I haven' t exhausted my repertoire for 60's tunes (although I'm growing somewhat weary of music from Hair) so that means, more of these little gems will surely be on the way. Far out!!

They'll be gag- at the Go-Go

When they see me in my toga

My toga made of blond

Brilliantined, biblical hair..........

Embossing Velvet.

2011-02-02T15:01:00.000-06:00

Still playing with heart shaped purses, I thought I might emboss some scrap red velvet which might make for an interesting purse exterior.

I pulled out my rubber stamps and then tried to recall how to do it. Do I wet the front side of the velvet or the back side and then press?

Simple rubber stamp from the 80's

I tried both. Then it all came back to me. Wet the back side of the velvet fabric, lay nap side down on the rubber stamp and with the iron set at the hottest. press down.

New iron. Woot!

However, there was another detail I was forgetting.

It worked!!

I had this nagging feeling that the velvet to be embossed had to be rayon or acetate or something other than cotton which was the type of velvet I was using. But hey, it embossed. I must have been mistaken.

Where did the 80's go?

Well, when I finished assembling the little purse, the embossing had disappeared into the nap. I was right. This method of embossing doesn't work well on cotton velvet.

Hide it with a big fake flower.

Gotta love fat q's

These little purses only take about 15 minutes to whip up. I found some pink cotton fabric and made another one. I've got a gold sparkle pen and maybe I'll write a message on it. Be My Valentine.

Or maybe it should read Give Up Now!

The little ones I made yesterday look like little vintage cards rather than purses. They'll have to do.

Well, I'm growing weary of heart shaped purses and besides, I really don't have nice looking Valentines Day-ish looking fabric.

Therefore, it must be a sign that I need to move on. A bunch of patterns that I ordered from Oliver + S patterns arrived in the mail yesterday and I'm keen to try them out.

Heart Purse

2011-02-01T14:59:00.000-06:00

I went looking for the template of a heart purse I made years and years ago. It took me all morning to find it. At one point, I truly thought it was gone ... along with my recollection of how to make it. Anyway, I found it and now I'm going to blog it so it'll be around forever.

Step 1: Cut out a shape of a heart the size you want the purse. This one is about 5 inches in length. Make a little snip at the sides where the yellow arrow is. This is the stop/start and neck strap spot.

Step 2: Cut out 2 hearts in fashion fabric, and 2 in the lining fabric. Mark the little side slits (as noted above) on all pieces.

Step 3: Pin the purse straps at the top of each heart or ........

long loop pinned on heart top, on both pieces.

..... pin one long neck strap (or it could be a short handle strap) at the side slit spot marked in yellow.

purse could have 2 handles or one

Step 4: Pin and stitch one heart top of fashion fabric to one heart top of lining, starting and stopping at the little side slits. 1/4 seam allowance, trim to 1/8.

Lining stitched to fashion fabric between slits at the top on both pieces.

Step 5: Then spread out the bottom half of the lining sections and pin them together, and spread out the fashion fabric sections and pin those together.

with right sides together, pin lining pieces together and then fashion fabric pieces together

Step 6: Starting at the side splits just below where it was stitched at the top of the heart, sew all around the fashion fabric pieces and then the lining pieces. NOTE: Leave an opening in the lining to turn inside out.
Trim to 1/8 seam allowance, turn inside out and press.

Leave opening at the side open.

I put ric-rac on some little purses. NOTE: Only one fashion fabric side needs ric-rac all the way around. The other side only needs it at the top between the slits.

Basic heart purse construction. The outside embellishment could be crazy quilt, or plain fabric with Valentines theme machine/hand embroidery, or plain velvet with lace trim.

There could be two straps, one strap or one long strap. The purse could be made smaller and worn as a necklace.

Playdate dress pattern.

2011-01-31T14:41:00.000-06:00

Apparently, this pattern is out of print, but I found one in a fabric store in Toronto. I've seen some on-line for sale. At any rate, I've got a copy and was able to make this little dress. I think it's just too cute.

A few months ago, my daughter was looking through my stash to select some fabric so I could make a smocked dress for her daughter. She came across this fabric, but there was barely a meter. Not enough to make anything smocked. I'm hoping she'll be surprised when she see's it made up using this sweet little pattern.

Colour seems a little washed out in the bright sunlight.

Playdate Dress. Oliver + S. I made it up in size 2T.

Out of print. Too bad.

On the neck/bib area, the pattern called for flat bias trim. Being old school, I was ready to make my own corded piping, but opted to try it flat; sans cord. It was tricky to insert as is the case with bias piping, flat or not.

The pattern also called for a little bit of frill on the bib section. Instead I went my old school way and put on a few lines of pin tucking ....corded pin tucking at that! Besides, my daughter doesn't like frilly things, so I'm sure she'll appreciate the pin tucking accent.

I got bogged down somewhat with the pin tucking because on my Berninas, (1630 & 801) there is a hole in the throat plate to run cording for just such an application. On my new Husquvarna (Quilt Desinger) there is no hole, so I had to improvise. There's no hole on my Husquvarna Iris, either.

My husband thinks a Husqvarna is a chainsaw.

Technology. When it changes, it throws me for a loop sometimes. Just like my new camera. I still can't seem to get a good angle or correct colour.

Bird's eye view from the suet feeder.

Well, the good news is I used up almost a meter or fabric, 3 buttons and learned something new about my sewing machine.

The bad news is it's the coldest day of the year, -30oC and my fingers froze taking these photos!

Jump Rope Dress

2011-01-29T11:05:00.000-06:00

I'm still having a love affair with Olver + S patterns. I wish these patterns were around when my 3 children were little nippers. Thankfully, I have one grandchild, and a girl at that, for whom I can make little outfits using these patterns.

Oh, and the good news is there is another one in the oven due in August. Woot! Two grandbabies to sew for!

Back in the fall, my daughter came with me to a fabric store. She has never been in a fabric store before and not only did she pick out fabric but she paid for it too. Milestones were cetainly made that day. So there's hope that one day she might be able to actually thread a needle!!

She didn't specify any particular pattern but has liked the Oliver + S patterns I've made in the past. I'm quite sure she'll like this one.

Jump Rope Dress Size 2T

These patterns, as I've said before, are straightforward and easy to follow. For someone who might be new to sewing or have rusty sewing skills each pattern is somewhat of a lesson. And the best part is they are size accurate.

If I had a dollar for every McCalls, Butterick or Simplicity pattern I've made over the years that just didn't turn out, I'd be rich! Well, maybe not filthy rich. I just wouldn't have wasted money on a project that flopped.

The O+S pattern styles are current, interesting and no matter the fabric chosen, they always turn out just great.

Like every project, there is always a hindsight factor. And that's good because I can note it here and refer to it the next time I make the pattern.

Maybe the placket should be same as main fabric?

So the note to myself is: match the buttonhole thread to either the placket or button colour and measure the buttons using from the stash prior to making the buttonholes! What was I thinking? Apparently, I simply wasn't thinking.

I shouldn't have matched the buttonhole thread with the top stitching thread.

I'm happy with the outcome and can hardly wait to see it on Caitlin. My daughter never ever reads this blog so it'll be a surprise for her to see the fabric she picked out, made up.

Warning: bad photo

2011-01-18T18:08:00.000-06:00

This outfit looks a lot better in real life than in this photo. It's raining outside (and it's now nightfall) so this washed out photo will have to do.

I used more of my Von Trapp fabric. The same fabric I used for the School Photo Dress. And I still have at least 3 meters left!

Because I had to wash it in order for the grandbaby to wear this 100% unknown fiber content outfit, the sizing that made it look smartly pressed has made it's way to our septic bed. I've tried ironing it, but it just isn't the same as it was pre-washed. Oh well.

I could spray it with sizing, but that defeats the purpose of washing it for baby's tender skin.

Oliver + S. Sundy Brunch. Size 2

When I make this pattern again, I will use a more crisp fabric. Or at least a fabric that looks crisp. This fabric was just too limp plus it frayed like crazy. It doesn't iron well either. Tomorrow is garbage day, so perhaps the remaining 3 meters needs to be retired to the town dump!

Overall, I'll treat this like a muslin test run. The pattern itself was easy and straightforward. I cut fabric and constructed the whole outfit in about 4 hours. I think the cockeyed hem gives that hasty assembly job away.
Actually, I was watching TV while I was making the skirt and I wasn't paying full attention when it came to the hem.

There are some more Oliver + S patterns I'm itching to try out but my daughter wants a smocked dress made post haste.

Off to load up the pleater with needles...........

Everything fits. Phew!!

2011-01-13T17:50:00.000-06:00

I drove down to the Big Smoke today with finished outfits in hand. In my daughters front hall, I tried the clothing on Caitlin ...... over her jammies!

Vintage buttons might be short lived.

My daughter loved the School Photo dress, even my labrador Lucy liked the dress. Well, maybe she was thinking something cookie-ish might come out of the pocket.

Definitely needs a Pill Box hat and white gloves.

This is the Hop Scotch Top and leggings from McCalls 6153. Caitlin was growing weary of trying on outfits.

Top size 2. Leggings size 1.

Hop Scotch Dress in size 2 fits perfectly. I got her to play a game just to get this photo.

Patience is wearing thin.

I am so thrilled with Oliver + S patterns. They are easy to follow, they are size accurate and no matter the fabric used, they turn out looking great!

School Photo Dress

2011-01-12T15:56:00.000-06:00

I must have been expecting to make a wardrobe for the Von Trapp family because I have meters and meters of this pink and white check fabric.

Son-in-law said he liked it, so I made this School Photo Dress from Oliver + S for Caitlin. It's size 2. It didn't use much fabric. So I still have meters and meters of the fabric left!

Fabric is synthetic something-or-other from the 80's.

I'm sure I had dresses in a similar style to this when I was in High School back in the late 60's. I found this pattern on Google images. It looks like what I used to wear in High School and must have been the inspiration for the School Photo Dress.

We weren't allowed to wear pants in High School.

While I was making the dress, which by the way was easy as pie, I was thinking about Jackie Kennedy dresses and buttons that adorned her outfits back in the 60's. So I dug out these vintage buttons from my stash. These buttons were on a housecoat I had in the early 60's.

I'm thinking all this outfit needs is a Pill Box hat and white gloves. Oh, and a sensible purse too!

Another Hop Scotch Top

2011-01-10T12:01:00.000-06:00

Having fun sewing with knits. Knit fabric isn't as difficult as I always thought.

I found the front neck to be a little too low on Caitlin so I increased the depth of the pattern piece making the neck not so open and low. I used size 2.

The leggings are from a McCalls 6152 and used size 1.

It is so cold outside today that while I was taking this photo, I could hear the trees pop. They sound like someone taking an axe to them. But it's just the sap freezing.

Hop Scotch pattern

2010-12-31T11:38:00.000-06:00

I am really enjoying the Oliver + S patterns. They are easy to follow, size accurate and even though I've been sewing for decades, no, more like a half century, I seem to learn something new from each pattern. And the Hop Scotch pattern is no exception.

Knits have never been my forté. Sure, over the years I've made a knit items but overall I've gravitated to wovens for sewing projects.

This pattern was designed for knits. My daughter prefers knits because she doesn't have to iron knit garments. (Sounds like my elderly mother!) And you know, it was easy peasy to make and I actually learned something new about my sewing machine too!

Knit dress, size 2. This knit was probably more suitable for a cardigan, but it worked well for the dress.

Size 18-24 months. I made knit leggings to match, (size 1 from a McCalls pattern) and I suspect they are a little too large.

Purple butterfly button on the top.

Knit top size 2T. I didn't have enough scrap yellow pinwale cord to make the Hop Scotch skirt. So I adapted the principles of the Lazy Day skirt and added some hot pink velvet trim that matched the hot pink of the flower in the knit print.

I feel that I have accomplished not only sewing with knits and functions of my sewing machine but also I busted a little more of my stash before the end of the year.

Looking forward to next year's stash bustin'!!

Red Flannel Christmas Dress.

2010-12-18T13:55:00.000-06:00

I have about 6 meters of red and black buffalo check flannel. It's a staple wardrobe fabric around here where I live. While I have some plans for all that flannel, I thought I'd take a meter and make Caitlin a red flannel dress.

Fabric to wear huntin' and fishin'.

So I ordered the Oliver + S Jump Rope pattern from Elegant Stitches, who have been providing me with excellent service by the way. When my order arrived, they gave me a credit because of their Anniversary Sale. Thanks!

Like all the Oliver + S patterns I've tried to date, it was straightforward, easy to follow (although I got a little bogged down with the placket at the neck edge) and I am pleased with the end result.

Made View B using View A pocket. 18-24mo.

I found some pine buttons in my stash. Unfortunately, I only had 2 of the small size buttons. The larger ones are a little too big for the pocket, but hey, they'll do!

How difficult would it be to make my own wood buttons?

For Christmas dinner I'm going to ask all my children to wear their red and black flannel shirts. Grandbaby already has her flannel dress. And with some of the remaining flannel I'll make some napkins for the dinner table.

It's going to be a Red Flannel Christmas!

The dog is going to need something red flannel too.

Book & Toys

2010-12-17T15:30:00.000-06:00

A neighbour is an artist and she has illustrated a children's book called The Perfect Bear. I bought a copy and of course had her sign it. It's a Christmas gift for Caitlin.

ISBN 978-0-9810609-1-0

Then I got idea to make some of the toys found in the book. A sock monkey, a giraffe, whale, Raggedy Ann and a bear.

I found a sock monkey already made at a toy store along with a bear that looked similar to the bear featured in the book.

I've run out of time to make a giraffe and a whale, but I did manage to make a Raggedy Ann doll. But I ran out of stuffing so this doll looks a little wrinkled, much like her maker!

McCalls 8077

I tried to match the doll to the one in the book.

To see more of this charming little book, go to Yellow Toadstool Press then click on the book cover and download the sample text and illustrations.

This is what the illustrators studio looks like. It's a Fairy Castle in the woods.

Fifth Christmas dress completed.

2010-12-07T13:22:00.000-06:00

I've had this velveteen in my stash for ever it seems. It's dark green and under certain lighting conditions, it has a sheen to it. In this photo, it looks like the green sheen you'd see on a Ruby Throated Hummingbird!
It looks better in person than under this light ... daylight, against white snow and the flash kept going off. Plus the lens kept fogging up going from inside our warm cottage to outside where the wind chill is -15 C.

I used the Bubble Dress but modified the bodice in order to add long sleeves. This pattern works up really quickly and bonus, my daughter really likes the style. So I'll be making a lot more of these dresse come the new year.

I used my walking foot to control the velvet as it wanted to shift under the presser foot. However, I had a real problem putting on the gold piping. There is no such thing as a piping/cording walking foot. Too bad because it would have come in handy!

Poinsettia pin.

2010-12-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

I was able to find some red felt to finish off the Bubble Dress. Using the template found here: http://www.make-it-do.com/make-it/make-it-do-gift-felt-poinsettia this poinsettia pin went together quickly.

I used some small jingle bells in the centre and whip stitched a safety pin on the back.

I think it looks perfect on this dress.

Fourth Christmas dress completed.

2010-12-01T11:59:00.000-06:00

It's overcast and raining so I can't use outdoor light today to photograph the 4th Christmas dress installment. This will have to do.

I used the 18 month size of Children's Corner 'Adelaide'. Thankfully I was able to double check the construction of the placket in a box pleat using their helpful on-line video found here: http://www.childrenscornerinc.com/videos.html

To make it Christmassy, I found this silvery star patterned fabric to use on the collar and sleeve cuff.

Found some star buttons and attached with Sulky silver thread.

The pattern called for a 3 1/4" hem. I only used a 3" hem and I think it's too short. Oh, well. It can be fixed if need be.

I'd like to make a few more dresses. Maybe some smocked ones. But first I think I had better see if the dresses I've made thus far fit! They are all either size 1 or 18mos. All four have varying hem lengths, sleeve lengths and widths.

I love this dress. I love the pattern and how quickly it went together. When I showed my husband the finished product he thought it looked rather 'Jackie O' looking. And that comment has given me some ideas for the next time I use this pattern.

Third Christmas dress completed.

2010-11-27T13:52:00.000-06:00

Using red velveteen, although it looks a little orangy in this photo, dress number 3 is completed.

I wasn't too sure how to apply the white fur strip so I just pushed aside the fur and using a 1/8 inch s/a stitched it down. However, I think I might have to send a lint brush along with the dress because the fur is sticking to the velveteen just like dog or cat hair!

Ironically, this Santa inspired dress is sitting exactly on the 45th parallel which is half way to the North Pole.

The pattern used was M5964, size 1. It was easy but because I didn't have a red zipper I made a placket in the back skirt and buttons on the bodice back. Truth be known, even if I did have a zipper I might have still gone the button route because working with velveteen is tricky. But making the placket sit flat was difficult given the bulk of the fabric.

The sun is low in the sky these days so getting a good shot is proving difficult. Well, that and the fact that I'm still learning about light, angles and photography in general. This photo gives a more accurate colour of the fabric.

Black bucket in background is the ash bucket and it's full!

Over 17 cm (6") of snow fell last night. The first snowfall of the season. Now I'm really in a Christmas sewing mood!

Second Christmas Dress completed.

2010-11-26T08:08:00.000-06:00

This dress went together quickly. It's a thin cotton so grandbaby will need to wear a warm turtle neck underneath and a pair of woolly stockings.

It's a size 12-18mos using the Bubble Dress pattern from Oliver + S.

I added mini piping around the neck, arm and waist area. I think that detail makes it look even better.

For fun, I quickly whipped up a fabric poinsettia flower using dupioni to add a little colour. The flower needs to be made from felt, which I have run out of. I'll be going to town sometime next week and I'll pick up red and green felt then. But at least I can get the idea of what a flower on the front will look like. The centre of the flower is a small jingle bell.

Detachable red felt flower would be better.

Two dresses down, several more to go!

First Christmas dress completed.

2010-11-25T11:27:00.000-06:00

This is a pattern I've wanted to try out for a long time. So this week, I found time and using this pattern made a Christmas dress for Catlin.

This plaid cotton has a thin thread of gold throughout giving it a little sparkle. There is green in the plaid too, so I matched it with the green ribbon on the hem and cuff. I didn't put piping on the waist though and I wished I had.
Next dress will definitely piping at the waist. And as I look at the photo again, I can see I need to touch it up with the iron.

Overall, the photo hasn't turned out well at all. It's overcast here today, -2 oC and wind gusts of 40 km/h so getting this shot was difficult.

I found a Christmas bell that I thought Caitlin would like to wear with the dress.

One dress down and several more to go!

I'd like to buy an Owl.

2010-11-21T11:14:00.001-06:00

The smocked Owl jumper is finished. It went together quickly and while I didn't follow the rule "not suitable for obvious diagonals" it looks okay.

With the leftover fabric I made a toy Owl. The pattern came from a wonderful blog called Hammer and Thread. http://hammerandthread.blogspot.com/2010/07/owl-stuffies-tutorial.html

New project underway.

2010-11-17T14:45:00.001-06:00

I'm working on a smocking project for Caitlin. She likes Owls, and while I'm not that keen on picture smocking, Owls it is! Her mom liked this design plate.
I cannot find small buttons in my stash for the eyes though. I thought about glueing on googly eyes, but they might come off in the wash no matter what the glue instructions say. Beads will have to do. Maybe sequins and a seed bead.

Photocopy the design plate in case the original gets lost ... like mine did!

My daughter doesn't like fabrics that have to be ironed. So making smocked dresses has been a challenge. For example, I made Caitlin a lovely smocked dress using the Baby Carriages plate, on white Dimity which isn't exactly a discount fabric. Anyway, she washed it after one wearing but because she didn't iron it, it hung in the closet and now Caitlin has outgrown the dress.
I also have to factor in our cold winters so the fabric has to be warm but apparently toddlers shouldn't wear wool.
My daughter selected this brushed cotton (flannel) and while in my opinion it needs to be ironed, she might be able to wash, dry and hang it up right away with minimum wrinkles.

Why wasn't my daughter born with an iron in her hand like I was?

I think the colours of the Owls, branches and leaves will work well with the colour of the fabric. And aside from a few finishing touches and the Owl eyes, it's almost complete.

Maybe 3 hours of work yet to go, plus 2 hours selecting the perfect eyes from the bead box.

In my children's pattern stash bucket I found this gem that I've been anxious to try out. I plan to make it in the jumper style and of course minus a collar.
When discussing the style of dress with my daughter I suggested a jumper and she confessed she didn't know what a jumper was. Did I give birth to her?

It will need an off white turtle neck underneath.

Well maybe I'm just living in the past. Jumpers. Smocked dresses. Irons. Just the same, I'm enjoying sewing.

Back in the saddle again.

2010-11-15T18:00:00.000-06:00

It's been ages since I've turned on my sewing machine. The past spring, summer and fall has been fantastic weatherwise and it was a wonderful opportunity to get some landscaping and outdoor improvements done.

However there are light flurries in the forecast for next week and darn it if Santa Claus isn't coming to town also next week. Time to hunker down in front of the sewing machine and get the many outstanding projects under way.

First project is an Advent Calendar. Since our Caitlin is lactose intolerant, her calendar needs to be filled with little toys in place of chocolates.

So my husband and I went off into the woods and found some branches to make a miniature tree.

Spring project: sprinkle grass seed in front of new deck.

And on the miniature tree branches, I've hung 24 little stockings all made from scraps of fabric to match my daughters interior; chocolate, deep gold, sage green and off white.

I used my embroidery machine to decorate some of the stockings but mostly used pieces of trim, ribbons and buttons to decorate. As tempted as I was to buy some Christmas fabric, I showed great restraint using only fabrics from my stash.

A north wind was blowing off the lake making the stockings dance!

I filled each stocking with a little toy such as a wind up caterpillar, bug box, bubbles, spinning top, small animals bath toys and more.

So the first project since the spring has been accomplished. There are lots more to go and lots of fabric from the stash to get used up!

Sewing projects waiting for autumn.

2010-07-24T06:56:00.007-05:00

It's summer and I live in cottage country. So this time of year with many, many guests, gardening and outings taking up all of my time, sewing projects have been put on hold. Here's a peak of my corner of paradise.

Red Secret Point, Lake Muskoka

Sunset at Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka

Steamship Wenonah II at Walker's Point on Lake Muskoka
The west wind shapes the pines.

Tree on Old Woman Island, Lake Muskoka

For me, life doesn't get any better than this. Living in cottage country, on the lake and a sewing room patiently waiting for my return when summer is over.

Vote For Us

2010-07-09T21:45:00.004-05:00

My husband entered a photo of our dog Lucy in to a contest. The picture has been selected in the top 25, and now we need people to vote for it in order to win.

So what has this got to do with sewing, you may well ask. Well, the prize is a very cool camera and if he wins, I can take better photos of my work for this blog!

Go to http://www.cottagelife.com/topdog and under the nickname 'MuskokaDave' is the photo of Lucy. Select the button and then scroll to the main voting button under the photo gallery to cast your ballot.

Meanwhile, my sewing room being renovated. A baby crib and a rocking chair moved in and now I have to re-juggle everything. Once I have it back in order and the change table returns to being a simple sewing machine table, I'll be back in sewing biz.

Here's the e-mail from the Cottage Life lady in charge of the photo contest............

Dear Top Dog Finalist,

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for entering your dog into Cottage Country's Top Dog Photo Contest.
Your dog's photo has been chosen by our judges to be in our top 25.

It's now up to you to spread the word and get all your friends to vote for your dog. Only 3 weeks remain, so send this link to all your friends http://www.cottagelife.com/topdog and tell them which nickname you used to sign up for the contest.

The photo with the most votes on August 2nd will win the Grand prize- a Canon Rebel XSi Digital SLR Camera Kit from Black’s Photography, valued at $2,000 CDN.
Thank you for entering and Good Luck!

Marissa

Sneak Peak

2010-07-01T06:13:00.007-05:00

Just like Sew Beautiful magazine, here's a Sneak Peak at the latest pattern by Judith Marquis.

However, unlike the magazine, my photos are just awful! But you can get the idea how delightful her new pattern 'Autumn Leaves' is.

Judith calls the design plate on the nightie 'Diamonds in the Puff(ing)'. And like every item Judith smocks, her stitches are flawless. I tried to get a closeup but it turned out blurry.

What I love about the pattern, and in many respects it's a hallmark of Judith's designs, is the sleeve treatment.
You can see it's in a square shape and that eliminates bulk from under the arm where smocking meets sleeve.
In terms of sewing the sleeve in place, it's a breeze and no need for rows of gathering threads.

Judith put a hint of piping in the sleeve area but it's difficult to see from my photo.

Here's another close up of the nightie front.
There are openings on either side of the shoulder. You could use, hook & eye, snaps (in Canada we call them domes) or velcro. In the pattern, Judith also suggests that the sewist may want to extend the opening down the shoulder a little further.

She also made a housecoat. My photos simply do not do it justice. Therefore I'll describe it as best as I can.

The opening is down the front and she used snaps for closures. (I call them domes, just as I call a couch a chesterfield. Canuck, through and through, eh?)

She pleated the front panel but instead of smocking, she held the pleats in place by machine stitching and then using lace, stitched over those machine lines.

You could use ribbon, or even strips of a co-ordinating fabric to achieve this look.

Here's another shot of the housecoat, full length. Again, the photo does not do it justice.

Judith used a little piping to accent the sleeve treatment.
I tried it on, and this style of sleeve treatment is much better and roomier plus there is no bulk where the pleating meets the sleeve.

The pattern is at the printers and will be available soon. Her website is www.amberlane.ca
She'll be teaching at the SAGA Convention in the fall and no doubt will have these samples will her.

I had a lovely afternoon with Judith. We had tea and cookies and gabbed about everything from sewing to home repairs. I don't see her often because I live so far away. Thankfully, we have been keeping in touch via e-mail.

I admire and am in awe of her sewing and stitching prowess. And I admire her bravery as she is breast cancer survivor. She is an excellent teacher and if I ever need help on a sewing project Judith is the one to turn to. I consider myself lucky to able to call her a dear friend.

Itty Bitty Fundraising Project

2010-06-24T07:15:00.002-05:00

I asked our local quilt shop owner if I could conduct an all day sewing marathon making the Itty Bitty Baby Dresses and donating them to our local hospital Gift Shop. She thought it was a grand idea.

Then I asked Rae, the designer if I could have a workshop (donating my time, of course) and then donate the fruits of our labour. She gave me her blessing to go ahead.

Since I've been pre-occupied lately by deck re-construction and gardening, I haven't been focusing on sewing and the quilt store needs a few samples to advertise the project.

So last night I cut out and started sewing together 2 Itty Bitty Dresses.

Early, early, this morning I was awakened by military helicopters flying dignitaries to the G8 Summit being held nearby, and since I was awake, I got up and finished the dresses.

Not a good photo, I know. It's raining out so this will have to do!

So thanks heads of 8 major nations for waking me up to finish these dresses; thanks Rae for letting us use your pattern; and thanks in advance to the ladies that will make up these adorable little dresses to donate to the hospital Gift Shop!

Dresses that fit.

2010-06-11T06:27:00.004-05:00

The Oliver +S Bubble dress I made Caitlin months ago fits perfectly. I made 12 month size and she is 13 months. My daughter loves the dress style and has asked me to make more.
Okay!!

The 12 month size smocked dress I made for her 1st birthday is still a little large. Thankfully it has back ties that can pull in the bulk so it looks like it fits.

Warm up.

2010-06-06T17:07:00.004-05:00

I haven't stitched a single thing for almost a month and it shows! I cut out some cute pink coordinating seersucker fabric to make this McCalls 5610 sun suit for grandbaby.

According to her measurements and the sizes on the envelop, she needed a size medium. So I cut the fabric and stitched merrily away.

As good luck would have it, my daughter, her husband and Caitlin, the aforementioned grandbaby, came up to my cabin in the woods to visit for a whole week. I was blessed.

But as bad luck would have it, I tried on the size medium sun suit and it wouldn't even go over her head. The problem was the back opening. It just wasn't deep enough despite following the pattern. Had I been sewing on a more constant basis, I might have clued in that the opening was too shallow. Maybe not. Being in a fog seems to be de rigueur lately!

So I salvaged what I could and shirred the remaining fabric for a sundress. While I much prefer smocking, daughter #1 likes the shirred effect.

Oh, and that started a new battle with my sewing machine. In particular, with the bobbin. Having recently switched from Berninas to Husqvarnas, I haven't quite got the hang of putting a thicker thread into the bobbin-holding-area or whatever it's called, with the right tension.

Mostly, I had trouble hand winding the elastic thread onto the bobbin, again, using the right amount of tension. But with many, many attempts plus a whole lot of swearing (I live in the woods therefore no one can hear me) I got all the tension issues sorted out.

I made up the hat too but it is far too large. It will fit my daughters head! Sheesh.

Warm up. I'm treating this sewing fiasco as merely a warm up. Tomorrow, to quote Scarlett, is another day.

Stitching break......

2010-05-22T10:28:00.004-05:00

Just taking a hiatus from stitching to do some serious gardening. While walking in the woods behind our cottage looking for some interesting wildflowers to transplant, this is what I nearly stepped on!
It was just hours old and no larger than a football. Mom was nowhere in sight, as she was out foraging, so we were given the opportunity get a couple of good photos.

If anyone ever comes across a fawn that may appear to be an orphan, it's not! Deer use camouflage to hide their young while they look for food. Sometimes Does leave their young for hours at a time, returning for just a few minutes to nurse.
Another bonus is newborn fawns are scent free making them almost undetectable from predators. The natural predators are coyotes, wolves, and humans who think fawns are orphans and need to go to the Wildlife Crisis Centre!

Shirring exercise

2010-05-13T15:35:00.009-05:00

A shirred dress or top, seems to be fashionable right now. I've even seen shirred fabric, ready to cut to size and finish the side seams and hem. So, I figured there is no time like the present to try my hand at shirring.

There are great ideas as well as how to do shirring from a segment on Martha Stewart's tv show.
There are also tutorials on these terrific blogs found here and here.

For my dress, I cut 2 pieces 19" wide and 21" long. Caitlin's chest measurement is 18" in diameter, and since the fabric will shrink by half, plus there are 1/2" side seams, I'm figuring this will fit her perfectly. (I hope.)

I used some ribbon for the shoulder ties. I also found a little blue butterfly to stitch on the front.
Click on the image to make it larger to see the little butterfly.

The problem I encountered was that elastic in the bobbin would not stitch flat. So I used a special bobbin case that accepts thicker thread. It took me better part of the day to get it adjusted properly.

It's supposed to look like this.

So while this was an easy project, it was time consuming in terms of getting the bobbin tension correct. Actually, frustrating might be a better description.

More Itty Bitty Baby Dresses

2010-05-10T16:10:00.002-05:00

A neighbour has asked me to make some outfits to donate to the Gift Shop of our local hospital.

The Itty Bitty Baby dresses are cute, fun and quick to make so I thought I'd whip up a bunch and gift them to my neighbour, who coincidentally, is a volunteer at the Gift Shop.

I think I made the solid pink contrast too long on this one.

These are all 4 to 5 Kilograms (9-11 lbs.) sizes. Download the pattern from here.
I plan to make a few more of these for the Hospital Gift Shop.

Iva Leigh et al.

2010-05-10T15:55:00.020-05:00

I have 2 meters of this fabric in my stash and it's been calling to me for the past couple of days.

This pattern has been calling to me as well. It's Iva Leigh by Bonnie Blue.

So I used up some of the fabric making the pattern in 12 month size.

I piped the collar in a contrast blue to match the background of the main fabric. Then piped the yoke using contrast fabric from the collar. Therefore, there are two colours of piping. I think it looks okay but not 100% sure. The pattern was easy and quick to make.

However, there was quite a bit of fabric left over.

So I made this little bonnet. The pattern is Melissa, from Petite Poche using size 2. I piped the back opening using the colour from the collar on the dress. I just love this bonnet pattern.

But there was still lots of this vintage inspired, cats with hoola hoops fabric leftover.

I got an idea to make a little cat wearing a matching dress using this pattern. I have had this pattern in my stash for years and years. "One day I'll make it" I would say to myself each time I came across it. Well, today was the day of reckoning!

I used a soft brushed corduroy for the body of the cat and instead of using beads for the eyes, simply made french knots using black yarn. The tail is striped with corduroy and pink velour.

The instructions suggest to make a pleat in the front of the dress, but I smocked it instead. Since I had already made the dress, lining and all when the smocking brainwave hit me, I found some 'Knotts Dots' ironed them on, pleated by hand (how barbaric) and using pale blue perlé cotton, stitched a few rows on to the front. It's difficult to see from my photo.

Oh, and I love the Dudley Dooright chin on the cat!

Here's the ensemble; dress, bonnet and Cat.

As for the cat fabric, there's still about .4 of a meter left. (Sigh.)

Updated Classic

2010-05-04T14:40:00.014-05:00

In the Sept/Oct. 2003 issue of Sew Beautiful, I saw this project called "An Updated Classic" by Kris Curtis.
I particularly liked the high yoke version worn by the younger girl in the photo, the pattern being inspired by 1950's style dresses.

The cut out pages have been sitting in my stash bucket of 'to-do patterns' and today, became my 'to do' day for this project.

Actually, I cut it out and smocked it yesterday, but today was construction day. It turned out well and I found the pattern really easy to follow.
I managed to foul up the collar though, and I don't know what I did wrong. However, with a little unpicking and swearing to myself, I made it work.

I was not sure about the instructions for the smocking though. The designer said to base the smocking on multiples of 8 pleats to get the design centered between the points. I couldn't make that work. So if Kris Curtis ever reads this blog, maybe she could enlighten me because I simply couldn't figure it out. Just the same, I managed to make it reasonably balanced and centered.

Here's the front a little closer. I whipped some matching floss on the piping and added lace as well. Perhaps that's where I went wrong with the collar prior to the unpicking and swearing episode.

I added some embroidery flowers on the front, just as in the photo in the magazine.

Here are all the pages in the magazine article, minus the pattern that was also included.

Here's where I got confused with the multiples of 8 pleats instructions.

Here's another method to construct the front that allows the smocker to simply do the whole row omitting the multiples of 8 pleats counting.

It was this picture that grabbed my attention in the beginning. I just love the look of that little blue dress.

Here is my version again. Size 12 months.
Oh, and I put the remaining bit of lace that matches the collar on the double hem.Half of the peach fabric is used up, all of this style of lace, almost all of the white mini-piping, most of the peach thread and I finally got to make up this pattern.

Dottie's Day Dress

2010-04-29T11:13:00.008-05:00

Another project finished!

I bought the fabric for this dress back in '01 after I saw this dress in Creative Needle Magazine.

The wind is blowing so the collar looks askew as does the skirt, but it is straight. A good photographer I am not!

The issue was July/August of 2000. The issue included the pattern which was designed by Trudy Horne. I just loved it when I saw it in the magazine and knew I just had to make it one day.

The back has a belt as opposed to a sash. I followed the design plate 'Carlisle" which was also in the issue.

Then in the Jan/Feb 2003 issue the dress appeared again only minus a collar and in white dimity. I just had to get some dimity, which I did and used it last month on the pink baby carriages dress.

In Jan/Feb 2004 the dress appeared again in white Swiss pique and the design plate was by Karen Platner called 'Double Delight" which was featured in that issue.

In the Sept/Oct issue of 2004, the same dress appeared in windowpane dimity and instead of smocking the front it was shirred. At the bottom of the shirring is hand stitched daisies, french knots on a bed of wheat stitches. This article was written by Trudy Horne and included shirring instructions.

The pattern was easy to follow and worked up quickly. Goodness only knows why I took so long to get to this project!
It's size 12 months.

Another UFO finished.

2010-04-20T17:14:00.003-05:00

Another bodice style dress finished from the UFO box. I think I can make these in my sleep since I've made so many in the past few weeks!

Matching the colours in the fabric, I made little embroidery flowers on the collar and cuffs.
This dress is size 3.

All of this fabric, (with the exception of a little bit that could be used for piping) is busted from my stash.

Babies on the way

2010-04-20T17:12:00.006-05:00

There are at least 4 babies that I know of that will be born in the near future. So I've been busy this week making at least two little dresses for a baby girl that will be born in early May.

I got the idea to make this newborn Bishop dress from an issue of Embroidery & Cross Stitch and the article was called 'Welcome Home' featuring a pink bishop designed by Judith Adams.

I tried to make it exactly the same using the fabric I had available in my stash and followed her design plate.
It turned out well despite not having all the lace required as per the pattern.

Then I made an Itty Bitty Baby Dress. The pattern can be downloaded from here.

This pattern is easy and quick to make. It's so cute too that I found myself giggling while I was sewing it.

I have now used up all the yellow butterfly fabric from my stash and some lace.

Feliz Dress/Muslin/Test Run

2010-04-17T18:07:00.042-05:00

Test run using cheapo fabric to make the Feliz dress following the tutorial from Trillium Design and the PDF download from Studio Tantrum www.studiotantrum.com/instructions/FELIZ_Sew-Along_ENGLISH_1_reduce.pdf
Having made the dress quickly and taking photos during the process, I now know how to make it (again) with minor changes and blogging it here because any piece of paper or notes will certainly get lost in my messy sewing room.
This trial run is using the smallest size.

Next time, I would make the ruffles first. That way, I could set the Serger for the rolled hem to finish the edges ( 3 threads RN in, LN out, Lower Looper tension set to 7-9, stitch finger forward, length 1.5) then reset the Serger to 4 threads to finish insides seams etc.

OVERDRESS:

Finish edges of facing for the side panels.

Make back bow/sash.

Next time, I will cut the back sash narrow for the distance of the side panels and then increase to make wider. I would like to see a wider sash when it is tied. It can't be wide from where it gets attached at the side seams because it won't fit through the casing at a later step.

Mention is made of elastic at the end that goes into the side seam. For a smaller size, I don't think this step is necessary.

NOTE: These aren't necessary, particularly on smaller sizes.

Button holders. Cut piece of fabric 1 1/2 inches wide, maybe smaller.

Fold in half. Stitch the length.

Cut to 4 inch lengths, fold to make little tents. Stitch across top to hold in place.

Stitch to side panel of one side of the overdress.

Then pin and stitch the facings to the side panels.

Pin the sash pieces in between the front and the side panels.

At this point, BEFORE attaching front to side panels, the front can be trimmed or decorated.
This is the front panel. It could be decorated with ric rac, trims etc. before attaching to side panels.
Ric rac could be stitched down the front sides.
Or, side panels when attached to front panel could be decorated with trim or piping.

Edge stitch along the top, down the sides and on the front seams.
Hem bottom on overdress. I used lace. Next time I will add very shallow ruffle in a complimentary fabric, or perhaps eyelet lace. This lace was too wispy.

Ruffles. The hems were serged using rolled hem. Should have done this step first. The hems could also be piped with a bias trim.
These were cut 4 inches wide by 40 inches long. Should be longer for larger sizes.
Ruffle could also be 3 1/2 inches maybe smaller?

Ruffler. Easy to use! Should have bought one years ago.

Set stitch length to 2.5 as per instructions.

Great ruffles! Serged the top edge AFTER ruffling, This kept the ruffles in tact and finished off the edge nicely.

UNDERDRESS

On the back panel, marked a line 3 1/2 inches up from bottom edge for first length of ruffles. Then 2 inches away from that for the second length, and again 2 inches away for the third and 2 inches from that for the fourth.
Three lengths of ruffles will do for next time.

Lay the length of ruffles facing upward, and stitch along marked line. Fold down, press.
Four lengths of ruffles. Notice the facing is attached to the top edge of the back panel.

Finish bottom edge of back panel facing. Stitch just along the top of the facing to the back centre panel. See above, but the photo doesn't show upper edge. Ooops.

Mark lines for elastic casing on the centre back 3/4 inch apart, starting just below the curve.

Stitch casing lines through centre back top and facing. Insert elastic. Pull up, pin sides and stitch to hold in place.Stitch back panel to side panels leaving a 1/2 inch of side panel above the curve of the back centre panel at the top edge.

Then sew front panel to side panels so the whole dress is now in a round.

Stitch straps together. Make a frill or decorate with ric-rac at this point.

NOTE: the frill isn't necessary.

FINAL ASSEMBLY

Pin the strap at the edge of the front panel SEE FLAT HEAD PINS, and back edge of strap to back side panel SEE FLAT HEAD PINS. The straps are in a U shape from the front panel to the back of the side panels sandwiched between overdress and underdress.
Then pin the RS of the Overdress to the WS of the Underdress and stitch along the top edge.

Flip, and edge stitch along top edge.

Pin the sash to the Overdress on the inside, then lay it sandwiched between the Overdress and Underdress and mark for casing.

Stitch along those marked lines.

Finished dress. It still needs a length of ruffle around the whole hem of the Underdress.

Critique:

Omit the ruffles from the straps.
Use piping on the front side panels.Use a shallow ruffled hem or eyelet lace on overdress not thin lace as this one has.
Maybe add pockets on the front, or decorate the front bib area.

The button closures weren't necessary on smaller dress.
One less length of ruffle may make it sit better. If the ruffles are 3 1/2 or smaller, then maybe 4 (more?) might be in order.
The sash could be wider, but can't be too wide for the length of the casing.
Elastic may not be necessary for smaller sizes.

Again, a ruffle around the entire hem of the Overdress is needs to be put on, which will make it longer and frillier.

Easy to construct.
Fun talking to ones self.

Caitlin's Birthday Dress

2010-04-16T17:00:00.007-05:00

Caitlin will be turning 1 on May 2nd. I made this dress with her birthday photo in mind.

It took forever to get the monogram to space properly. It still isn't the greatest but it's the best I can do.

I started by centering the G using 30mm size. Then backed up, and centered the C using 12mm and increased the stitch width to 6.0 and the stitch length to 6.0. That made the C bigger than just 12mm.
Then I moved the needle forward and stitched the E, using the same sizing.

It's 12 month size. I used the Float Dress pattern for the collar that was inside another pattern,

called Ashtyne's Heirloom dress. It was really easy to make and worked up fast. Except, of course for monogram business.

The fabric is a pique of sorts. It was called French cotton where I bought it. It's a beautiful powder blue, unlike the grey that it seems to appear in this photo!

Bluebirds

2010-04-11T09:46:00.006-05:00

Originally, I wanted to do this design plate on a powder blue pique. Since I have never done picture smocking on pique and in case it wouldn't turn out, I opted for an insert using batiste.

I've done this plate before, on white broadcloth and included the ribbon sash. I found that my girls managed to wiggle and twirl so much, that the ribbon always seemed to sit uneven on their dress. This time around, I left off the ribbon and being an insert, it wouldn't work anyway.

I used the hem tuck trick again. It sure makes a dress work up quickly and saves hand work time.

I heard once that it takes 7 years to develop your 'hand' at smocking. Because I keep wandering away from smocking for years at a time, I doubt I'll even spend a full 7 years to perfect even stitching. Regardless, I do enjoy smocking, perfect or not!

I really like the whipped stitching technique using Tiger Tape for a guide. It's so easy! Why didn't I do this before?

Now that the dress is finished I can seen multiple errors.
I used Floche to backsmock. It seems too thick and the lines show through.
During the blocking process, I should have taken more care to make sure everything lined up. The top garland row does not line up with the bottom garland row. Doh!

With an insert, I cannot seem to reduce the bulk between the insert and the dress skirt. Next time around I'll try stitching the two together prior to pleating and see how that works out.

If I use Bluebirds again, I'll space the birds closer together. Maybe I'll make then Robins instead of Bluebirds as suggested on the design plate.

The blue pique is sitting on the cutting table, waiting for the next project.

Hymn, Hem, Him.

2010-04-10T07:31:00.008-05:00

Baby Carriages on Dimity size 12 months, finished!

When it came time to sew this dress together, I was thinking about the funny experience I had at the 25th SAGA Convention in Atlanta, years ago.

Before leaving for the USA, I was prepped on customs. Be aware, I was told, that folks in the USA, particularly in the south, are very religious. Plus that, they have a funny accent.

So off I went and took several classes at the convention and the one I was thinking about for this project, was the class I took with Cindy Foose. It was all about embellishing.

We spent better part of the morning trying out different stitches and techniques, having a great time learning from such a delightful and wonderful expert, complete with a funny accent, just as I was told.

Later that morning, she suggested we take a short break and when we return we would do hymns. Hymns? Oh, no!! I can't remember the words let alone the titles of hymns, I thought to myself.
I need a hymnal. Maybe she would accept a Christmas Carol instead, I thought. Or I could fake it. I could pretend I was singing an Inuit hymn. No. That won't do, I continued in my state of sheer panic, I just better come clean.

Skulking back to the class, she brought out some dresses and pointed to the bottom. It all became clear. HEMS! She way saying hems! Phew.

Referring back to that class and that lovely lady, I made a double tucked hem on this dress.

Unfortunately, I didn't have 8 matching 8mm buttons. Living in the middle of nowhere, it's difficult to find sewing supplies. Waiting for an on-line order, just wasn't going to work for this project.
I came up 8 buttons that sort of matched. Dear husband, with the 'perfection eye' couldn't spot the mismatched ones, so it passed the test.

I also whipped some floss around white piping to add colour. Using Tiger tape, I whipped 3 strands of floss every second black line.

Hymn, hem. It does sound the same spoken with a southern accent.

Actually, when the Queen is about to speak, she clears her throat saying 'him, him, him'. Well, it at least it sounds like she's saying 'him'. She has a funny accent too!

Another one bites the dust.

2010-03-23T11:09:00.004-05:00

I started this picture smocking project sometime around 2002 or 2003. I got the design plate from an issue of Sew Beautiful that I cannot find in my messy sewing room at the moment.

When I completed this front panel, I put on some bias binding but did an awful job. I tossed it into the UFO box, probably planning to re-visit the project and get the binding on correctly.

Well, yesterday I did re-visit it and after unpicking and re-stitching several times, in the end it was still an awful job!

I put the dress together in spite of the puckering and crunched pleats.

Oh what the heck. When grandbaby wears it, I doubt those around her will notice. It's 12 month size.

I found some pretty little daffodil buttons. Unfortunately, I couldn't find thread to match the dress exactly. I figured I had made enough errors, I might just stay on the same track.

I liked smocking this design plate. I just love daffodils. They are just about the only plant around here that the deer won't eat.

The UFO box is getting empty!

Return from the drawing board

2010-03-22T10:47:00.010-05:00

I went back to the drawing board for my Muskoka Tea Cozy, altered the pattern and came up with 3 different sizes.
What I did was slightly round the bottom edge, so when the cozy went on to the tea pot, it would flare out and not in.

These are the 3 sizes of tea pots I use, and probably the same size most people use.

Then I went back to my stash looking for fabric that typifies the area I call home. Home is in the woods, 'cottage county' as it's known.

This one fits the medium size tea pot that hold about 3 cups of tea.

This one fits the largest size that holds about 6 cups of tea.

I used a shirt for this one. The rest of the shirt got used for a jacket for the dog. This was leftover and fits the largest size tea pot.

But there was a little bit of the plaid flannel left over, so I made a cozy for the small tea pot that holds 1 cup.
Then I got carried away and made a little felt pendant for a small tea cozy.

Then I got an idea to put a little pocket on a tea cozy that would hold several tea bag sachets making the tea cozy a fun gift to give someone.

So now I'm going to churn out a whole bunch of these tea cozies, set up a stand at the local farmers market and sell them. I can feel a major dint in my stash about to occur!

The hardest part about these tea cozies was finding a small and straight piece of birch to act as a handle.

Surprise for Sarah

2010-03-15T08:00:00.007-05:00

Despite having just about every sewing tool, several sewing machines and a huge stash, neither of my daughters have ever been interested in sewing.

So it was music to my ears when my eldest whom, after several years of wedded bliss, asked me to show her how to smock. (I just knew a grandbaby might be forthcoming.)

I pleated up some cheap poly/cotton and she selected the smocking plate 'Amanda' by Little Stitches and away she went!

Unfortunately, she never finished the project and it ended up in my UFO box where it's been parked for the last 2 years.

I dug it out yesterday and finished the dress for her. Thank goodness I did because her baby is almost a year old and this dress is 6 months size. I stretched and blocked the front as best as I could and took only 1/4 inch seam allowances hoping to make this dress somewhat larger.

Here's her first attempt at smocking. I think she did a good job, especially with the bullions as they can be quite intimidating.

I touched up her smocking with some green leaves.

I made sure there was a big sash bow on the back just like I used to put on her smocked dresses. (The wind is blowing the collar upwards. And yes that's snow in the background that just won't melt.)

So I think Sarah will be surprised to see her first attempt at smocking finished and looking so pretty.

And I'll be surprised if it fits grandbaby!

Another UFO finished

2010-03-13T10:02:00.006-06:00

Perhaps is was sometime in 2004 I cut out, pleated and smocked this little dress called Frannie, and left it in the UFO box to be constructed.

Today was the day for construction. Surprisingly, it went together rather quickly. Why did I wait so long?

I found the instructions rather difficult to follow. Maybe it's because I have my own way of constructing a dress like this and I would have worded it differently had I written the instructions. At any rate, I figured it out.

Here it is under different lighting.
It's a size 6 months, but I'm sure it will fit Caitlin who is almost a year old. If it does fit her, I'll make some little bloomers to match. I have just enough fabric left over to do that.
I didn't put the pocket on. It seemed to large for the scale of dress. It's cut out and ready to go if Caitlin's mom wants the pocket put on though.

I really like this fabric. There is something about a small print that is appealing to me.

I made my own piping from leftover pink broadcloth and it matched the little flowers and floss perfectly. In my stash of buttons I had only 2 that matched each other as well as the fabric. What are the odds of that?

Close up of smocking and piping. Good match, eh?

Busted: 2 buttons, some broadcloth, some yarn that I've been using for piping cording, and 1 more item in the UFO box.

There's still a long way to go.

UFO Finished

2010-03-09T11:28:00.013-06:00

There was an almost finished size 2 smocked dress project sitting in the UFO box. All it needed was a few more rows completed and then put the dress together.

It is made from a lovely Voile that I bought years and years ago.

I began this project pictured on the front cover of AS&E called Ming Blue back in 2003.
Therefore, the dress was cut out, pleated and partly smocked 7 years ago!
Well, since there's no time like the present, plus I'm trying to bust not only my stash but UFO's as well, I decided to finish the dress.

This project turned out to be a time consuming and frustrating task!

First of all, there wasn't enough fabric for the front button band. So I had to make a join which is obvious. But I'm hoping Caitlin will be too busy whirling and twirling, that no one will notice the seam.

Then I couldn't find either a pink, green or yellow fabric suitable to make piping. So I resorted to using yellow ric-rac which ended up being too heavy on the Voile and made it pucker on the front button band.

The smocking stitches weren't particularly good either. I must have been an awful rush when I smocked it originally.

But the worst part was I just couldn't find buttons that matched. While I probably have a trillion buttons in my stash, okay, maybe not a trillion but it sure seems that way, there weren't 6 matching buttons in pink, green or yellow. I went to a few fabric shops seeking out buttons to no avail.

Then I came across this self covered button kit buried deep in a box of snaps, hooks and eyes.

And originally, they were only 39¢. What a bargain.

Well, I got the dress finished. Although I wasted a lot of time trying to get it done.

The tally now is 1 UFO finished. 1 card of yellow ric-rac busted. 1 card of self-covering buttons busted. This doesn't seem like much at all!

Easter Bonnet

2010-03-03T15:43:00.008-06:00

Last month I made Caitlin an Easter Coat from a wonderful wool called Doctors Flannel. The coat fits Caitlin perfectly, however it needs a bonnet.

I've made the large scalloped brim bonnet from this pattern before, so I decided to make the view that has the little tulip on the side, minus the tulip.

I had just enough of the Doctors Flannel leftover for the outside of the bonnet. I made size large.

For the last two nights of the Olympics, I sat in front of the TV and stitched the same bunny and flowers on the bonnet that I put on the coat.

It's difficult to photograph a bonnet, so I stuck it on a fence post and it seemed to work well.
Then I dropped my camera in the snow and the lens got covered in ice.

So I moved indoors and the pepper mill became the bonnet stand. I wish the brim was larger like the scalloped one is.

Thankfully, my lens thawed so these photos came out clear. I stitched the back during the final men's hockey game.

And thankfully, Canada won. WOOT!

And thankfully all the Doctors Flannel (in this shade) in my stash is busted!

O+S Tea Party Dress

2010-03-03T11:05:00.004-06:00

I'm loving patterns by this company & designer. The patterns I've done thus far are easy, instructions are clear and are size accurate.

When my children were little and I made them clothes, it was always hit and miss if an item would fit properly when finished, despite frequent fittings.
Too bad this pattern company wasn't around then!

I love the bell shape of this dress and the curve of the bodice.

I made it in a size 18-24 months. The only thing that was time consuming was making the piping. That's not news.

I serged all of the inside seams and the bell shape stayed in tact. The stitch length on the serger was set at 2.

Because the fabric pattern was busy, I didn't top stitch on the skirt part, just the bodice.

I love the hem facing. When I sewed for my children back in the dark ages, hem facings were unheard of. Well, at least I never heard of them.

Next time around with this pattern, I won't select a fabric that needs to be lined up. You'd think after making a zillion outfits over the years, it would have occurred to me that a fabric with obvious diagonals/design/checks/plaid needs to be lined up. Apparently, that whole rule eluded me until I started to cut it out and realized things were askew! The bell shape of the dress didn't help either, but I think is looks okay.

I have some beige linen in my stash that I would like to use the next time I make this dress. Maybe put some redwork stitching on the skirt part, red piping and red top stitching.

O + S Birthday Party Dress

2010-02-24T12:33:00.004-06:00

This fabric reminds me of the 60's.
As a matter of fact, I made a micro mini dress with huge bell sleeves back in the mid 60's from fabric that was very similar. I even had some white go-go boots to match. Groovey!

Well, I thought I was on a good roll with this pattern whipping it up in no time. Turns out, I forgot to put piping around the from tab. Better slow down.

So I put a big yo-yo on the front with a pink button and pony bead in the middle. Perhaps that will detract from forgetting the piping.

Looking at this dress in a photo, perhaps the fabric is too large and too busy for this little 18-24 month size dress.

I'm getting paranoid after reading these rules about fabric selection Oliver + S website.

Pink Smocked dress

2010-02-24T11:39:00.008-06:00

This dress was in my UFO box. It's been there for a number of years. And during that time I have forgotten what size it is and what pattern I used. Maybe I just saw it in Creative Needle, or Sew Beautiful or AS&E. Whatever.
The centre looks like it's slightly askew, but it's really the photographer (me) that took the photo askew.

Here it is a little closer.
It seems like it might be a size 3 or 4. It could be even larger than that. Bishop style is always deceiving.

Close up of the little french knot flowers on the front.

Perhaps one day a little girl who wears a size 3 or 4 will come to visit and her mom can try it on her to figure out the true size. When that happens, I'm going to note the size to this post. If I figure out what pattern was used, I'll come back to this post and note that information as well.

Baby's Breath

2010-02-15T09:47:00.011-06:00

Here's the latest issue of A Needle Pulling Thread. It's hot off the press. It's a wonderful magazine that features all kinds of needlework. It's Canadian. It's available worldwide.

My friend Judith Marquis is a designer of smocked clothing patterns for adults and children. Her baby nightie, called Baby's Breath is featured in the latest issue on page 52.
And guess who the baby is that's modeling it?
Yup. My grandbaby. Supermodel!!

Here's what the pattern looks like. Judith gave me a copy and I made it up in no time. It's easy and she took the time to explain every step in detail. So no matter how new anyone is to smocking or sewing, they would be able to make this pattern frustration free!

Here is a closeup detail of the smocking.

If anyone wants to give me the World's Worst Photography Award, please note that I have acceptance speech already written.

This post has nothing to do with busting my stash at the present, although I did use up some lovely soft flannel when I made this nightie last year. So, I guess it could be considered as a pre-entry.

Muskoka Tea Cozy

2010-02-14T14:00:00.007-06:00

The first thing I do in the morning after letting the dog out and putting seed in the feeder for the birds and squirrels, is make myself a cup of tea.
Often, it's so chilly inside our cottage that by the time I've finished my first cuppa, the remaining tea in the pot has gone cold.

For ages, I've been meaning to make a cozy and since there is no time like the present, plus I'm on a quest to use up my stash, today I made what I call a Muskoka Tea Cozy.

The tea pot I use holds about 2 cups of tea. It's smaller than a traditional Brown Betty, but larger than the small Brown Betty's that holds 1 cup.

I dug out a 1/2 meter of this woodsy looking fabric. Found some green bias binding and turned it into cording. For insulation I used some quilt batting and found some beige broadcloth for the lining. For a handle, I used a birch twig.

Voila. A Muskoka Tea Cozy.

It fits a little snug. The spout and handle pull it into a triangle shape.

I made the original shape on a piece of brown paper that I have an enormous roll of. Then traced that shape on a product that I think is called 'pattern trace'. It has little red dots on it.

Since I had some the woodsy fabric, bias binding, cord, lining and batting left over, I decided to make a larger one for my larger tea pot.

This pot holds a lot more and I only use it when I have guests.

Here's the larger size. I used a thinner twig on this model.

It fits the same way as the other ta cozy. I think I will spend some time and perfect this pattern.

But the good news is I used up all of the fabric, some quilt batting, some broadcloth, all the cording and the bias binding. Oh, and some black thread.

Another Bubble Dress

2010-02-13T13:44:00.009-06:00

I fell off the wagon.
I saw this really cute print called 'shaping up' by designer Michele Scott at a quilt store and couldn't help myself. One lone meter of new fabric can't hurt, I thought.

It worked up quickly, taking under 2 hours from start to finish. It's 12-18 month size.
The piping is bright pink, but I just can't seem to take a good enough photo to capture the true colours. (Click on the image to see the colour better.)

The fabric will look good with these pretty pink shoes I just bought.

Halfway through, my sewing machine switched languages. Quelle surprise!

Okay, no more buying fabric. Use stash only....use stash only .... use stash only...use stash only.... use stash only.....use stash only.....

Easter dress #2

2010-02-12T13:25:00.009-06:00

The pattern is 'Maggie" from Childern's Corner. I made Size 1.
The instructions for smocking were very detailed as were all the steps except for the part when the collar gets attached. I found that step #10, vague.

I am not too thrilled with the gathers at the back neck. I had trouble getting the collar to sit properly.

The back is smocked, and the neck edged is gathered. I wonder if it will be too bulky for the wearer?
I used a pretty yellow pique with a duck print. I bought 2 yards for $27.00 several years ago at a SAGA convention.

The pique smocked beautifully. The pattern was quick to smock. I used up all of this trim on the dress. But I have 1/4 meter of the pique leftover.

I don't think I'll make this pattern again because of the back neck.

Popover Sundress

2010-02-11T10:26:00.005-06:00

This was an incredibly easy pattern to construct and follow. I whipped it up in no time. It's Size 2. The free download pattern is available from here.

Using gingham from my stash, I thought the front might be a good palette to apply an applique.

I drew a flower shape onto Steam and Seam, fused it to yellow gingham, then cut and fused it to the pink background.
Because the gingham is so sheer, I decided not to satin stitch around the edges thinking it might pucker the fabric.

I found some flower shaped buttons to stitch in the middle of the flowers.

Overall, it's kind of 70's looking. The flowers are a cliche of that era and gingham does have that retro effect, I think.

But hey, I used up most of the remaining green gingham, a lot of the pink, but there's still a meter of the yellow left to use.

Petite Poche, Jane

2010-02-09T14:13:00.004-06:00

This has been sitting in my UFO box for eons. Today I got it finished. And it was so easy and quick to whip up, I don't know why it took me so long.

Next time I make it, I will make the placket piece wider. Maybe 1 1/2 inches wide.

I found the bodice construction a little confusing, so I ignored their directions and simply constructed the front, back and lining the way I usually do, using the AS&E method.
Other than that, I am happy with the results.

It is a Size 1.

It has a sweet bow on the back. I haven't finished the buttonholes because I was losing daylight to take a photo of the dress.

Chocolate Easter Bunnies

2010-02-08T06:33:00.006-06:00

The smocking pattern on this dress came from the February issue of Creative Needle 2008. I didn't enjoy smocking it.
The dress is 12 months size and came from a basic yoke dress pattern in an issue of AS&E.

Directions to make a well formed Peter Pan collar came from here.

Attach the collar at the seam line and not the center front outer edge. That way, when the collar pieces are sandwiched between the outside fabric and the lining for stitching, when it's flipped over, the edges will match perfectly. It did!

To make the piping, I used polyester knitting yarn for the filler. I ran out of cotton cording.

Size accurate testing.

2010-02-07T05:53:00.019-06:00

I wish I had kept a sewing journal when I made outfits for my kids. Now that I'm digging out old patterns, it would be handy to have some documentation on what fits and what doesn't.

Now that I have a sewing blog, I can keep the journal I should have kept.

Here's the size accurate testing of the outfits I've made over that past few months...........

Out of print....Style 2439 18 months

Fits Caitlin perfectly, with a little room to spare. She's 9 Kg (20 lbs.) 9 months old and presently wear 12-18 months size in store bought clothing.

Oliver + S Birthday Party Dress 12 months size.

Fits Caitlin like a glove. She won't be able to wear it much longer.

Children's Corner "Carol" 12 month size.

Fit's perfectly with a little room to spare.

Mystery dress with mystery foot in photo. Parker's Apron from Creative Needle Nov/Dec 2004,
12-18 month size.

Fits Caitlin perfectly.

Vogue 7628 size small.

Too short from crotch to bib front. Too wide in the sides. Poor fitting, although small was the right size to make it up. The pattern design was ..... clown-like. Say hello to the garbage can!

Vintage Simplicty 4625

2010-02-06T08:30:00.006-06:00

Just love the price on this pattern. 35¢. Is anything 35¢ these days?

The pattern was indeed easy, but the instructions assume the seamstress has sewing experience. Perhaps experience gained in Home-Ec class which isn't a standard class nowadays as it was in my highschool years.

What this dress needs is a crinoline. Gosh, I haven't thought of a crinoline in decades. Maybe I'll make one just for this dress. The one I had was lined in a soft satiny fabric, then a layer of tulle to make it stand out and then an overskirt in a Bemberg type lining. It was always fun to twirl in a flowing dress when wearing a crinoline.

The back has a huge sash. The wind is blowing the dress and it truly looks like it's twirling.

Fabric is 30's repro. Click on image to get a better view of the fabric. Ric rac is new, not vintage.

Vogue 7628

2010-02-02T16:23:00.002-06:00

This pattern has been hanging around in my pattern stash bucket for some time. Since there is no time like the present, I decided to make up the overalls.

The pattern was easy to understand and it went together really quickly. I think it took me 2 hours and that includes lots of interruptions.

I bought a meter of this fleece the other day for $5.00. Buttons were in my stash. It's size small.

I stuffed it with tissue so it would hang better on the hanger. Before I make the dress in this pattern, I want to try it on grandbaby to see if it's size accurate.

Sleep sac

2010-02-02T11:20:00.005-06:00

I have departed from my quest to use up existing fabric. Daughter needed a sleep sac for grandbaby in polar fleece. So I bought a meter of fleece $5.00, a long zipper $2.80 and then the gas to drive 1/2 hour to the nearest town that has a fabric store.

I already had McCalls 4236 and have made sleep sac in a smaller size. It's a drop dead easy pattern, just a front and a back. I cheated and used zipper tape to hold the zipper in place while I basted and stitched it in place. Actually, the instructions call for tape, so I guess it's not really cheating at all.
There are no facings for this pattern, just roll the edge and stitch down.

I made view B in size medium using pale lime green polar fleece.

I also dug out my embroidery machine and stitched the little toadstool on the front. The colour of the rayon thread didn't come out well in this photo. The base is brown, outline in orange and inside dots in bright yellow on a pale lime green backgound.

The whole project took about 2 1/2 hours to make.

Embroidered Easter Coat

2010-01-31T18:34:00.002-06:00

I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to make an Easter coat for Caitlin.

I dug out Style 2439 that is no longer in print. It's a size 18 months.

Digging through my stash for a warm fabric, I found some Doctors flannel that was part of project for a class I took with Gail Doan. The project was a child's jacket in size 4 as seen in her book Sew Cute Couture.

But I can't wait for Caitlin to be a size 4. Luckily there was enough of the fabric to cut out the pattern.
I wanted the coat to have a Vintage 50's theme. I traced this bunny on to tissue paper, tacked the tissue paper to the outside of the coat and stitched with 3 strands of embroidery floss, following the design using a split stitch.

I made up the flowers myself. With embroidery, just about anything works.

Then I put a little embroidery on the collar and piped the collar using a mini piping. The collar looks uneven in this photo, but in real life it does look even and sits flatter than it does on the hanger.

I got carried away and stitched some embroidered flowers on the back.

Again, I just made them up.

For a few days, I had been tossing around the idea of making bound buttonholes on the jacket. I have never done them before as I've been fearful I couldn't do them. But they turned out to be rather easy to do! Go figure.

I followed instructions that looked similar to these.

I found 3 vintage buttons that belonged to a jacket that was mine when I was a little girl.

For the lining, I used this bunny fabric that I bought maybe 12 0r 15 years ago!

I matched the colour floss to the lining.

I am pleased with the results. However, I serged the armhole and it's not sitting right. I won't do that again.

Now to make a matching bonnet!

Mystery Dress

2010-01-30T10:13:00.000-06:00

I came across this pattern in my stash and wondered what it would look like made up. I couldn't find the accompanying photo in the magazine, Creative Needle, Nov/Dec 2004, just the pattern.
It's called "Parker's Apron. Is Parker a boy? Is Parker a girl, as in Parker Posey?

So I made it up using this pretty ice blue fabric that's been sitting in my fabric stash for years.
The pattern worked up quickly, the instructions were fairly straightforward but probably would frustrate someone new to sewing.

I had to spent $5.00 on the buttons as I just didn't have 15 little white ones all the same in my button collection.

I made a mistake with the bias binding on the front. There was a seam in the binding and I went and put it at the front and not a back corner.

The back has a pleat and a belt. Cute!

But I really wanted to see a photo of it. So I e-mailed my friend Judith, who is busy working on a pattern design of her own. I know she was a fan of Creative Needle and I somehow thought she would have the issue where this pattern came from.

And she did! Parker is a boy and this pattern is supposed to be a shirt, not a dress.

Oh well. I think it looks good as a dress. The size is 12-18 months.

Children's Corner Carol #2

2010-01-21T12:58:00.000-06:00

I really like this pattern. It's quick, easy and the results are good.

On the front pattern piece, I cut away the front pleat line, added 1/4 inch as well as added a 1/4 inch on the pleat part which is part of the 'fold' section.

Happy with the results.

This is 12 months.

Children's Corner "Carol"

2010-01-18T15:49:00.001-06:00

Well this pattern was a breeze to put together. It went together in just a few hours.

The instructions were clear, illustrations made sense and there were only a few pattern pieces.

Hemming it took a little longer than I wanted. But I will absolutely make this pattern again.

Next time, I think I will trace the pattern, and cut out the centre pleat. Then add 1/4 seam allowance to the pleat and front piece. That way, I can make the inside pleat in a different fabric.