Category — Clothing

This was my second long winter since moving back to the midwest after spending 6 years in Florida. As the weather has been warming up over the last couple weeks, I’ve started to feel like I survived and am getting the itch for spring and summer. Last fall I planted bulbs for the first time and they’ve started to come up – and a few are even blooming! (Let’s not tell them that it is supposed to snow this weekend, ok?)

The stores are all carrying sundresses and fertilizer which is another sure sign that warmer weather is just around the corner. (Although if I want to be really honest, that stuff has been out since Christmas was over.) Everyone is talking about Liberty of London at Target. I decided to join in the fun too. I don’t plan on buying anything to cut up for a quilt, just for me to wear and put around my house.

A perfect planter for a pretty flower outside at the table:

This dress – which I will be making knee length. The hubby isn’t a fan of long dresses.

A swimsuit….last year I refused to wear one all summer. Hey, I had just had a baby! But he’s 1 now and I’m out of excuses. And no, I won’t be modeling this one for the blog. LOL

This adorable box which I think will find a home in my sewing area.

Also….not really a sign of spring but I received my Heather Ross mushroom fabric from Spoonflower yesterday. After reading about all the fading issues, I decided to just go with 1 yard of a light print. I am still thinking about using it to make something for my daughter. I’ll probably just hand wash it delicate in that case.

I didn’t waste any time, did I? Just in time for **snow!?!** this Sunday, I finished the Evening Empire Dress by Anna Maria Horner. I just love how it turned out! The red fabric is Anna Maria Horner’s Little Folks Diamond Mine Pomegranate. It’s actually a much softer color in real life – the camera/flash don’t do it justice. I added a bit of Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt. Don’t the 2 fabrics look like they were made for each other?

There is only one thing I would have done differently and it wasn’t a problem with the pattern, but my own doing. I made a size larger in the skirt portion because I was convinced I needed to per my measurements. Well, since the fabric is gathered, I certainly didn’t need to size the skirt up and it just makes the dress fuller in the gathering area. So next time I’ll do everything the same size.

Overall the pattern was easy to follow and my invisible zipper even ended up, well, invisible! GASP! I did sew the bodice in scrap fabric first to make sure I knew what I was doing with the good stuff. I would suggest also doing that as it helped answer some of my questions and then I just blew though it with the final fabric.

If I am lucky and the kids let me shower sometime soon (and the weather warms up), I may post a picture of the dress actually on me! But trust me, it fits great (I’m wearing it as I type!) And my 3 year old told me “mommy, your dress is beautiful! I wish I had a dress like that and we could match.”

ETA: Some people asked about the lining. You’ll want to line it and the pattern actually includes the lining directions. I had left over red fabric and used that and it’s perfect. So, for an XS top and S bottom, I ordered 3 yards of the voile and had left over even after lining it. I saw someone else online suggest lining with a less expensive voile (Robert Kauffman I think). I haven’t looked for it online, but I’m assuming it exists.

ETA again! Ok, here I am modeling it with and without the cardigan. Be kind! LOL

Last October, for my birthday, my husband bought Weekend Sewing, by Heather Ross. I had heard mixed reviews of it (apparently there are quite a few errors in it), but I thought it’d be great for inspiration at least. There were definitely a few projects in it that I wanted to make for my daughter. Fast forward through birthdays and holidays, and I had forgotten about it. Then earlier this week I was in the Buggy for Heather Ross Flickr group, and someone posted a link to a video from Martha Stewart where Heather Ross was a guest. She showed how to do the smocking on an adorable little sundress from her book. Instantly I was hooked!

This afternoon I made the dress for my daughter. It is really simple. From the comments on the Martha Stewart page, it looks like you need to use metal bobbins. Overall I’d say it took me about an hour to make.

As you can see by the photos, Avery is a fan. I could barely get her to stop moving to take the pictures. I love having a little girl. I know it’s odd that I made this dress in February. I am SO TIRED of winter and cold and snow (we are supposed to get MORE tomorrow night!) So this dress represents my hope that warm temperatures are just around the corner.

ETA: Well, I decided I needed a cute smocked sundress too. I bought some Dolce Ella Grey fabric and downloaded a free pattern off Heather Ross’ website. Can’t wait!

This week I received an email from Sarah at Come and See the Seitz about joining in on a Garment Construction Challenge. Basically it involves setting a goal and deadline for sewing an item or items of clothing – something to push yourself a little further. After you’ve completed your garment, you post pics and a wrap up in the Flickr group and there will be a whole gallery of patterns and reviews. Great idea, huh?

I have 2 dresses I want to make for Avery (my 3 year old). My goal is to make these by Easter.

First, is Sandi Henderson’s Gracie Pattern, option B, the Tiered Dress. I am planning on using Swing Toss Pink fabric from Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane line.

My second is a dress pattern I purchased off Etsy called the Miss Madeline dress. I’m pretty sure I’m going to use a few of the new Anna Maria Horner fabrics for this one (even though my husband is apparently not a fan!) He’s crazy, I know.

I’ll be blogging about these dresses as I make them! I hope you consider joining the challenge!