Wednesday, January 28, 2015

"Lee," THE Classic

I have lost count of how many Children's Corner "Lee" Dresses I have made.  
I never grow tired of this gold standard of a dress.


"Lee" by Children's Corner

Pattern
Children's Corner "Lee" dress
Children's Corner "Hillary" sleeve (one of my favorites)
Smocking Plate "Daisy Mae" from AS&E 62
Old package of teal petite piping

Fabric
Art Gallery Voile print

Notes
I am in love with using the sleeve from "Hillary."
In person the smocking doesn't appear so dark, but it is darker than I would like.  I can't decide it I should have gone a shade lighter or if the dark is needed to cover the abstract floral pattern.  
I seldom pick an off-white background for a smocked dress.  But I have had multiple ladies try to buy this dress for a red headed girl.  It would be a perfect match.
Dress on display at CJ's Quilt Shop.


Lee

Lee with Hillary sleeves

Smocking details

Sunday, January 18, 2015

"To Tie For" from Olive Ann Designs


To Tie For Dress, Size 1


I whipped up this dress before Christmas,
 but have been very busy with basketball season and other sewing adventures.  

Pattern:
"To Tie For" dress from Olive Ann Designs
Size 1

Fabric:
Owl print quilting cotton from Michael Miller

Thoughts on the pattern:
Easy, great beginner project.  No buttons or zippers.
The pockets need to be regraded to each size.  
One size pocket is included in the pattern that is to be used for a size 1 to size 6.  
On the larger sizes, it will look great, but on the smaller sizes, it overwhelms the dress.

I added piping to the neckline and ties. This is a lot of piping.  
Not an easy thing for a beginner.  Plus the seam allowance is 1/2".  

Great solution for hemming the dress by flipping up the lining and sewing it down.  
Piping that edge only stabilizes it further making a great hem.

Olive Ann Designs dress

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Retro Telephone Washi Dress

Made by Rae Washi Dress with long sleeves and bow tie add-ons

I saw this pattern at Quilt Market and fell in love with the simplicity and comfy style.  Since it is an easy beginner pattern, I made up a few to experiment for making it into a class.  Great potential for all size, shapes, and styles of women.

Pattern:
"Washi" Dress from Made by Rae
With add-on long sleeves and bow tie neckline

Fabric:
Black retro telephone print rayon challis
I bought this fabric almost 10 years ago.  Cottontails Outlet in Stillwater, OK couldn't give it away.  I bought 5 yards for $3.  Great quality fabric, just needs the right project.  I finally found it!

Fit:
I took in the bodice front center by almost 2", bias wedges out of the neckline, added a dart under the bust, and adjusted for my wonky shoulders.  Perfect fit!

The best compliment came from my daughter.  She did a double take and exclaimed, 
"Wow, I was wrong.  I thought that was going to be ugly.  
I want a shrink ray gun.  Can you make me one?"  


Add caption


Back view of Washi Dress
Black Retro Telephone Washi Dress

Thursday, January 1, 2015

CC Stella, Such a Fun Dress

Monogrammed CC Stella Dress

Pattern
Children's Corner Stella (No. 284)
View B with straight sleeves (great for the older girl)

Fabric
Printed corduroy from Vogue Fabrics
Petite Piping
Vine embroidery letters for monogram

Fitting
I made this dress a size 10  for my niece for Christmas.  She lives on the other side of the country, so there were no fittings or muslins.  I had to hold my breath when she tried it on, but it fit perfectly!!!  

This is a super easy dress to put together.  I used the machine for 100% of it (hems and all.)   To give it a more grown up look, I found the scarf at Target.  


So easy to embellish Stella.

Back view of Stela

Happy New Year!!!