ModKid "Isabel" for My Daughter and AG Doll

I was wondering which dress to show in my blog today, when my daughter and Rebecca (AG doll) arrived at breakfast all dressed up.  My perfect answer to the day's question:

As you can see, my dress is a close copy of the original pattern.  Sometimes, it is okay to not mess with something already cute.  This dress was made during the summer, but in a 7 year old's mind, it was the perfect choice for a November day.

As a recall, the pattern was easy to put together and then I just free-handed a design for the doll.

The Stylish "School Photo Dress" by Oliver+S

So many times, I buy a pattern because it is new and I collect cute patterns (with the thought that I will eventually make them all).  I bought this pattern, School Photo Dress Pattern by Oliver+S, without a project in mind.  As I went through my winter fabric stash, this corduroy jumped out at me and I just knew it was a great pattern and fabric match.  

The dress is easy to assemble.  The instructions are great.  I did drop the cute pocket in the front to eliminate cutting this fabric into smaller pieces.  In fact, I regret not matching the prints on the front bodice and dress.  The fabric is very busy, but the perfect match for this contemporary dress.  I used a regular brown polyester lining fabric for the lining.  The collar is a WINNER.  It is so cute and different from other patterns.  I highly recommend this pattern and I want to make another dress with the pocket.

My little model had to be coaxing into wearing this dress.  It is 86 degrees outside and she wore this dress to church:

The dress is Lee from Children's Corner.  The smocking plate is one by Gail Doane from Australian Smocking and Embroidery.  

The weekend has been busy.  My older sons finished 1st and 2nd in the Texas Jr. State Championship in Tae Kwon Do.  Lots of training has paid off for them and we are proud of their accomplishments.

I also finished a digital family scrapbook.  This is my first and I can't wait to get the hard-copy in the mail soon.

This is a sample.  The embellishments are from ScrapGirls.com.

Fall Smocked Top and Floral Skirt for ME

This is a great fall outfit for South Texas.  The peasant shirt is cool enough, but with sleeves to keep your arms warm.  The skirt can be worn with the matching top or a solid.

The top is NewLook 6892, View B.  I have made this before, so I felt I could pleat the top instead of gather it.  After pleating, I smocked simple stitches in cream and then copied flowers from the skirt to embellish along the front.  Instead of a turned under edge on the neckline and sleeves, I used a rolled hem from the serger.  Below are a few close up pictures.

To roll this top through the pleater was interesting.  The neckline is contoured and not on the straight grain, so don't look at the details of the smocking.  The average eye will not catch the stretching and pulling of the smocking.  This is my first smocked project for me!

The skirt is Simplicity 2410, View A.  This skirt runs very short, so I lengthened it a few inches.  My floral fabric is very busy and if I had to do it again, I would leave off the belt.  

I love the fall look of this outfit and I love the smocking details for myself!

End of Summer Shirt, V8495

I made this quick shirt at the end of summer, but it was so hot, I couldn't stand to model it with a pair of jeans.  The weather is starting to cool off a little, so my end of summer shirt:

My trendy shirt is View A from the pattern.  I did not make any changes to the pattern and didn't make a muslin.  So, if I had to make it again, I would take up a little in the front neck-line and use less fabric in the front fold.   There is so much fabric in the front fold, that the shirt borders on a maternity top from the bust-line downward.  I do like the back view with the slight curves in the shirt.

This would be a cute top to downsize and use knit fabric.  The View B shirt with the ruffles might be quit the flouncy shirt.  You can see how much my sleeves stick out without the ruffles.  

Back view

Front view

Happy Sewing!