Vests and Skirts!

While off for President's Day, I made the girls a cute vest/skirt combo. Frankly, they don't look as cute as I'd hoped. They fit just fine, and the fabric is awesome, but they just aren't as cute as I thought they would be.

Mandarin Style Dress

This dress is definitely one of my most complex projects to date. With the piping, the mandarin collar, and the cuffs on the sleeves, there were quite a few new challenges. That being said, I think it turned out great!

I haven't finished the bottom hem yet because I'm just not quite sure what to do with it. The fabric doesn't work well for a regular hem, so I'm thinking of adding black bias tape as a detail on the bottom instead.
Close-up of the piping and collar.
Ella with crazy morning hair, happy with her new dress!

Anna's Pretty Dress

First, let me say that this dress gave me fits! The bodice was a bear to make, and I don't even know why. Sure, the fabric was slippery, but it should not have been as difficult as it was. Plus, I don't like the way the pattern just finished off the arm holes with bias tape - it looks kind of yucky that way. I tried several different options, and finally ended up sewing on pretty pink ribbon instead of bias tape. Also, I modified the bodice with the little pleat in the theme of the dress because Anna is so skinny and I forgot to pre-measure the pattern according to her size.

Front view - I think the pleats are so cute!


Back view.

And, Anna just being cute...and pretty...

Froggie Pajamas

I found some cute froggie flannel in the remnant bin at Hancock Fabrics, and they just happened to have the pink, too, so I made Anna these cute jammies! The great thing about Anna being so small is that it doesn't take much fabric to make something cute for her!