The Happy Ric-Rac Dress

 

Well, I do believe I'm on a roll...a second dress cranked out in less than a week!

I call this the "Happy Ric-Rac Dress" because everything about it just made me smile...especially the ric-rac!

This is McCall's pattern #5793 again, but I think it looks so different from the Easter dress I created from it in the last post.

This time, I made the sleeveless version, and I pieced together a hem band for the skirt.  There's a narrow ruffle above the hem band, along with a line of ric-rac above the ruffle.  I also added fabric ruffles and more ric-rac along the contrast bodice pieces.

I created the attached  overskirt to look like an apron by sewing a front waistband to the lower bodice edge, and adding ties.  I love the little apron!  It is also edged with ric-rac.

I used an invisible zipper to close the back, and it went in so easily and without any problems at all.  All seams lined up perfectly. (And that doesn't always happen on the first try!)  I used to be so afraid of zippers...I avoided them like the plague.  But invisible zippers...they're so easy!  If you've never tried one, find a tutorial online.  I promise you, it's not hard, and you will love the results.

I think this one of my favorite dresses I've made so far.  The color combinations make me happy, and the ric-rac just makes me smile.  I've never used ric-rac much in the past--I didn' know what I was missing.  But it certainly does add a touch of whimsy.

Again, "twirl-a-bility" is a major selling point for Sophie's dresses.  She tests every one, just to make sure.

I've been thinking about making a few more of this style of dress and maybe opening an Etsy account.  It would be fun to make money doing something I love, but there are already so many wonderful seamstresses there offering beautiful, boutique style dresses, that I wonder if it would be difficult to sell mine?  I guess I won't know until I try.

Tomorrow is Easter.  Not only is it NOT supposed to rain, but it's also supposed to be unseasonably warm and sunny!   We will dye some eggs, hide some baskets, and have an egg hunt.  And through it all, I will be forever grateful that we serve a risen Lord.  I wish you all a wonderful day, hopefully spent with people you love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Dress...Completed!

I finished the Easter Dress!

 

And I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.

 

I loved everything about this pattern (McCalls 5793), and it went together quickly and without a hitch.

 

It has simple, puffy sleeves.  All little girls should have a dress with puffed sleeves.

 

It has "twirl-a-bility".

 

I didn't have to make any alterations to the pattern.  Sophie is four years old.  I cut out a size four.  And it fit.  Perfectly.

 

One of the changes I made to the pattern was using buttons instead of a zipper.  It's just such a classic, little girl's dress, I felt that buttons looked better.

 

I wanted the look of a pinafore without having to actually make one separate from the dress.  So I simply sewed a panel to the front and back bodice, edged with cotton lace.  Since the overskirt matches the "pinafore" bib, it gives the look of a complete pinafore.  The overskirt hem is also trimmed with vintage, cotton lace.  Instead of using ribbons for sash ties like the pattern calls for, I made fabric ties.

 

Nothing says "Spring" like daffodils, does it?

 

And bunny ears.

Stay tuned for version #2 of this pattern.  I think it will look totally different.  I'm excited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Flower Girl Dress...Completed!

Finally, after long last, it is finished!

I honestly don't know why I put it off for so long, except for the fact that I like to procrastinate.

I'm extremely pleased with how it all turned out.  The smocking is the same pattern that I did for the smaller dress.

The original dress would have been super-simple to construct, but I had to complicate things by smocking the bodice and adding an underskirt.   Since the dress is fully lined, I essentially made two dresses and stitched them together.

As you can see, it's got great "twirl-a-bility".  Pay no attention to big brother on the porch, who somehow kept scootering into my pictures.

Close-up of the sweet buttons.

She loves her dress.  It's always so satisfying for me as a seamstress to finish an outfit that she can't wait to wear.

Sophie and her "doll of the day".  Which is really one of my dolls, but in our house, she considers every doll her doll.  This particular one is by Heidi Ott.

 

Now that these dresses are done, I can confidently say "bring on the wedding"!

Have a great evening!



One Flower Girl Dress...FINISHED!

Well, I had hoped to have both flower girl dresses done by now, but it just hasn't happened.  I am really close, though!  I did complete the dress for the other little girl today, just in time to take it to the bridal shower where I then handed it over to the mother.  Everybody in attendance at the shower had to oooh and aaah over it, which in turn made me feel like all the hard work was definitely worth it.  The smocking didn't take as long as most people might think--maybe about 4 hours per dress?  The entire dress is fully lined, and a tulle ruffle is added to the underskirt.  That was my least favorite part.  I love working with natural fibers, but tulle?  It seemed like it took forever to gather up what felt like miles and miles of the sheer stuff.  However, now that it's all said and done, I love the effect.  So dainty and feminine.

A close up of the smocking and embroidery.  I used a basic, sleeveless dress pattern for the bodice, and then cut the front bodice in half horizontally about 2 1/2" down from the neckline.  The upper skirt portion, which is smocked, is attached to this smaller bodice piece, creating the complete dress front.  I taught myself to smock about 15 years ago, when I had my first daughter.  There's a wonderful publication, called AUSTRALIAN SMOCKING & EMBROIDERY, which was invaluable in teaching me how to smock.  It comes out quarterly, and each issue contains many beautiful patterns.  Unfortunately, this magazine is about to put out it's final issue, but you can still buy many back issues on Ebay, or from smocking stores online.  Definitely look into it if you are intersted in smocking!  SEW BEAUTIFUL is another great magazine that is full of heirloom sewing projects and smocking ideas.

The back view.  I toyed with the idea of making the sash out of tulle, also, but after fussing with the skirt ruffle, I'd had enough!  So I opted for the cotton sash instead. 

I should have Sophie's dress finished tomorrow.  And then I will take pictures of her modeling it.  A dress hanging on a hanger is cute, but on a real live child?  Scrumptious.  I can hardly wait for her to wear it at the wedding.

Feliz Party Dress

I bought this book over a year ago, for the sole purpose of making the dress that is featured on the front cover--The Feliz Party Dress. I had seen many beautiful versions of this dress all over the internet, and I just had to make one myself! Unfortunately, the pattern was no longer available on it's own, but it was included in this lovely book that I bought from Amazon.

This pattern is NOT for the inexperienced seamstress. It isn't hard to construct, but the directions in the book are vague. I found several tutorials online that explained the construction step-by-step, and these were much more helpful than the book. This dress consists of an underdress and an overdress which are sewn together at the top. Side ties and back elastic hold in the fullness--no zipper or buttons needed!

My favorite part about this dress is the ruffles! They are so cute, and remind me of the old-fashioned bustle dresses that women and girls used to wear in the 1880's. This dress can be made without the ruffles, for a simpler look, and in just one color, if desired. But we love colorful, ruffly dresses around here...in fact, the fuller and rufflier (is that a word?) the better!

Because this is a European pattern, it comes without seam allowances. You have to add them on yourself when you trace the pattern.

The center panel is fabric that I've had in my stash for ages. It is such a pretty yellow, with the cutest little children all over it. I have saved it all these years, not ever knowing quite what I wanted to do with it. The other fabrics all coordinate beautifully with the colors in the yellow print.

This dress has "twirl-a-bility"!

I had read that this pattern runs a bit small, so I made the size 3-4, thinking it would fit my 3 year old perfectly. And it did fit well everywhere, except the length was a bit long. Next time I make this (I'm picturing it in pale pink and white!) I will take this into consideration and shorten the skirts an inch or two. But Sophie loves it this length...she calls it her "princess" dress!

We put a shirt under it because the weather is still cool around here. But it can be worn as a sundress, also, when the sun finally decides to stick around for awhile.

The pattern comes in sizes 18mos-12 years. I encourage anyone with a girlie-girl in their life to make it. She will love it, and you won't be able to stop smiling every time you see her in it!