Latest Creations--More Dresses and Some Bloomers

I forgot to post a picture of these bloomers when I made them. Caroline wore them a couple days ago and go something on them. Sorry, but you get the idea.


Here are my latest creations in pillowcase dresses. I decided to make the pink paisley one without a border, just to be different from the others that I have made and to just let it be shorter as a top with bloomers or shorts, or maybe even pants. I haven't decided yet.
I have intentions of showing what these look like on, but our fit model doesn't always want to pose for pictures. She prefers action shots instead of stills and that doesn't always work to show the dress properly.
FYI: the pink one may look bigger or wider. It is actually shorter and the picture was taken closer to crop around the dress. They are the same size, but the pink one is shorter because I left off the border.




I haven't decided on my next project yet. Maybe I will make another style dress or I may go back to another two-piece, if only I can figure out which pattern and which fabric I want to use.

Bias Tape Can Be Your Friend

I made another pillowcase dress over the weekend and instead of double-turning the armhole seam, I used bias tape instead. I wish I had known about this earlier. I knew it existed, but I didn't know how to use it until recently. Let me tell you, I will continue to use it because I do not like stitching armholes on little clothes. They may not be as bad on adult sizes, but when you are making something for a 14 month-old, the curve is much tighter.

Look What You Can Do With Some Fabric and a Box!

I get so many sturdy boxes from buying diapers and wipes in bulk that I sometimes save them. These boxes can be useful for storing things and toting things around. Occasionally, I use some of these boxes to carry things or to keep stuff in my SUV. I had an idea one day to make a slipcover for a wipes box so it wouldn't look like what it is. I thought I could keep things in it and keep my SUV better organized (and look good, too).

My Graduallly Expanding Fabric Collection

Here is a sampling of the fabrics that I have so far. I just love picking out new prints and dreaming up new ideas. It's been a little addictive. Click on the picture for a closer look. Some of these are featured in the previous posts below:

Just Lacks Two Buttons!

As many of you know, I am new to this. I can say that I have sewn before, but I am talking about 8th grade Home Economics. I was inspired then to make several things on my mom's sewing machine, but that was a long time ago. Sewing is like riding a bicycle, though. You don't really forget. You just jump back on. Making dresses is one thing (especially pillowcase dresses), but I discovered a whole new world in making this two-piece outfit. I made it through. It really wasn't hard. It was just a lot of steps I hadn't done before (that I had to analyze thoroughly and make it make sense), like the shorts and the facings on the inside of the top. I was a little intimidated by some of the steps involved, but I would compare it to the book, "The Monster at the End of this Book," starring lovable, furry old Grover. I bought this book for Caroline last year and I remember it from when I was little. Moral of my story: it wasn't that bad like I thought it was at first when I had the pattern pieces laid out (shorts look really odd at first and then they make sense). Now, I am ready to do another one of my two-piece patterns.

It is basically finished. I just need to get two buttons to fasten the tabs at the shoulders and stitch my button holes. Unfortunately, I have a feeling it is going to be a little big on Caroline, but that's better than being too small. I used the size 1 on the pattern, which was the smallest.

Dress No. 3

I finished this dress a few days ago. I just love it! For some reason, it makes me think of candy, so I call it the "candy dress." I can't wait for Caroline to wear it.

Aside from pillowcase dresses, I am working on a two-piece outfit right now. Not sure how this one will go. The top is pretty much done, but I have never done any kind of shorts or pants before (or bloomers for that matter). We'll see. I may end up sticking to dresses. Who knows?

Pillowcase Dresses

Well, nearly a month ago, I bought a sewing machine. I figured I could really get some use out of one right now. Caroline has a few smocked dresses that were just about dragging the floor, so I needed to hem them up now and then I can let them out next year for her to wear again because they seem to be plenty big and there doesn't seem to be a big difference in the sizes, except in the length.
I have seen these pillowcase dresses and love them. I thought to myself, "I can do that," so I went to Hobby Lobby when their patterns were 99 cents and bought several patterns, some fabric, and a few supplies. When I put my mind to something, I go for it. I was so excited to get started. Here are just a couple that I have finished recently. The first one is my favorite and the first one I made. I couldn't wait for Caroline to wear it to church today. I don't mean to brag, but she got lots of compliments. I have another one in the works and several more ideas to come with the other patterns I bought. I am already dreaming up something MAROON and WHITE for this fall!



These are great because she can wear them now as a dress and later as a top when it gets too short. They usually fit a range of 2-3 sizes; just scrunch it up at the top with the ribbon to fit. Also, in the fall & winter, you can pair it with a turtleneck and tights or leggings.

Sew Here We Go!

I decided to start this blog because I already have 3 sewing posts back to back on our family blog. I am a born-again sewer and am enjoying making a few things for my 14 month-old daughter, Caroline. I decided to start sewing again when back in the spring, I had several dresses for her that needed to be hemmed up in order for her to wear them this summer. Then, I was inspired to buy some patterns and some fabric and voila! Who knows where this will take me? So far, it has been fun and full of new learning experiences.