"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

"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

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

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!!!