Another Boutique-style dress!

This was the easiest dress I've ever made. The biggest problem is that something screwy happened with my sewing machine that took me 30 minutes to figure out! Even so, it only took about an hour to make.

My model was reluctant to pose this time. I barely got these two pictures out of her.

Boutique Chic!

All spring, I've noticed a trend among little girls: simple, but expensive boutique dresses. Handmade, and cute. I happened to find the pattern for these dresses, so I decided just to make one myself. I think it turned out pretty well. It looks just like the ones I've seen around town and in stores.

I think the model might be cuter than the dress.

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!

Jacket and Dress

My Saturday project for the week was this jacket and dress outfit. The dress was a cinch, even with the gathering around the waist and band at the bottom. The only problem is that it is about 6 inches too long and 2 inches too wide. I blame the pattern for that, but those are easily remedied. Maybe tomorrow I'll shorten the dress and tighten up the sides.
I'm so proud of my zipper - I'm getting so much better than my first attempt.
The jacket, on the other hand, was an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. Cutting out the pieces was no problem. Sewing together the torso was no problem. Even the collar with the gathering and weird shape was fairly easy. Then, for some reason the lining around the edge stumped me. I ripped out the seam no less than three times before the puzzle came together and I actually felt pretty stupid for not seeing it earlier. It still needs buttons, and it looks pretty rough on the inside, but at least it matches the dress.. Next time, no collar on the jacket (if I make a jacket at all), 6 less inches on the skirt, and 2 less inches on the sides.

By the way, it is important to note that Ella picked out the fabric - both the glaring yellow and flowery pink. They would not have been my first choice in fabrics, but the dress is for her, not me, so why should I care?