Test Run of the Balloon Dress

Hello.

As I mentioned in a previous post I am taking part in a sew along of the beautiful balloon dress from this Japanese Pattern Book.

I had the pattern traced out the fabric purchased but I couldn't wait to give it a go so I went to the Op Shop and purchased a doona cover to use for a trial run.

The fabric of the doona cover was lovely, great quality and matched the style of dress really nicely.

It came together really quickly and I finished it in a day.

I didn't really have any issues when making the dress.

I made the size 5 and I'm not sure if it is too big.

I think it is ok and with a little time before Summer I'm sure she will grow enough to fit it just fine.

Linking up here.

 

Bargain Buy of the Century

Hello.

The other day I went to Spotlight when they had 30% off.

I picked up some fabric for a sew along I am taking part in at the end of the month.

While I was there I obviously checked out the the cheap trolley and I found some lovely fabric for $1 a metre. With my 30% discount I paid 67 cents p/m so I bought the whole roll.

Unfortunately there was only 2.5 metres left.

Anyway I have been busy sewing up a storm with it.

First project was a Lula Maxi Dress.

I made some small adjustments to the pattern because I added in some pink lace I salvaged off an old top which was thinner than the band should be. This made the dress a little shorter than it should be.

Next time I will add the extra length as I think this dress would look amazing down to the ankles. 

With a whole lot of fabric left I decided to try my hand at designing my own dress for my baby.

I took the bodice from this pattern as a guide for the size. I came up with this dress.

I just love the way it tuned out!

I made a size 2 which is a little bit big for her now but we are still a few month from the warmer weather so I'm sure it will be spot on by then.

I still have just under a metre of fabric left and I wanted to make a matching top for my 10 year old. Do you think I could convince her to wear it? NO WAY!!!

Maybe I could make a little something for myself with it :)

Linking up here.

Reversible Shoulder Tie Dress Tutorial

Hello.

The other day I saw a beautiful dress over at Sew Chibi

which made think about making something similar.

Unfortunately for her the dress she made didn't fit over her daughters head

so to avoid this happening to me I decided to make a dress that has

one shoulder open and close with a tie.

Do you want to make one yourself?

Here is a tutorial I have prepared.

First start with 'A line' dress pattern.

I used this pattern.

You just need to alter the shoulders.

On one side you should lengthen both the front and back

so it is long enough to be able to tie when it is completed.

The other side should be made so the front and back shoulder seams are even

and it will sit on top of the shoulder when it is complete.

Once this has been done you will need to cut

2 front pieces and 2 back pieces from different fabric.

To jazz up the dress a little and to tie the two fabric choices together

I cut 2 pieces from each fabric in a circular shape. 

You can add ruffles or any other embellishments to it before you sew it together.

If you want to add buttons leave that until this piece has been attached to the dress.

Sew the 2 matching pieces RST (right sides together) around edges.

Leave neck edge open.

Trim seam and turn right side out and press.

Attach them to the front of the dress of the opposite fabric.

Now is the time to add any buttons if you want to.

Just remember the seam allowance at the top.

Next step is to place each dress RST and sew together at the sides seams.

Make sure to press the side seams open.

This will make the next step much neater.

Place one dress inside the other RST.

Sew around the neck, tie and underarm seams.

DO NOT sew the short shoulder seam together.

Trim seams and clip curves.

Turn the dress right side facing out (and in because it is reversible).

Just note that when sewing up the neck and underarm seam on the short shoulder

leave about 1.5cm (the seam allowance) unsewn.

You need to do this so you can sew the shoulder seam together once the dress has been turned.

Pin the shoulder seam of one dress and stitch.

**Some advice if you are using a plain and patterned fabric.

It is best to secure the seam of the plain fabric with the machine

and leave the patterned fabric for the hand stitching. It hides any faults much better.

This is how it should look.

Once you have it turned in, pin the open shoulder seam

and topstitch around the entire neck, tie and underarm seam.

This will hold the short shoulder seam in place.

To finish this step just slipstitch the opening closed.

All that is left to do is to turn up the hem, making sure that both sides are even. Pin and stitch.

And you are done!!

I would love to hear any comments on how you find this tutorial.

Let me know if there are any mistakes or if there is something you can quite follow.

And make sure you send me a link to any reversible shoulder tie dresses that you have made!

Linking up here.

Vintage pattern alteration

Hello.

I picked up a vintage pattern from 1981 yesterday at the op shop for 50 cents

and made this dress today.

I thought this pattern was really sweet when I saw it.

One thing I didn't like was the neck opening.

I thought I'd change it to more of a keyhole shape which actually turned out lovely.

I even managed to do this while lining the dress.

Unfortunately the dress was not able to fit over her head :(

I had to cut the opening to make it bigger which made my lovely neat work

look so messy and unfinished. I decided to cover it using a small scrap of stretch lace.

It was size 6 so it was a little large for my daughter who wears a 4-5 at the moment.

I decided to add some shirring to the waist once it was finished which made it fit better.

I have not had a lot of success with shirring but I have a new mechanical machine which handled it heaps better than my computerised machine.

I used this shirring tutorial from Pink Fig.

I also added in some pockets because dresses are more fun with pockets.

Overall I'm very pleased with this dress.

I think the sand is a little cold judging by this expression. 

Linking up here.

Two cute Little Tops

Hello.

I made a couple of little tops the other day using one of my Japanese Pattern Books.

The brown top was made from a doona cover I picked up from the op-shop for $1

It is such nice fabric, with a little silky shine to it.

I used this pattern but decided not to add the ruffle to the sleeves,

instead adding some elastic.

I made the second top for my daughter to wear for her school photos.

This one I made plain red using quilting cotton and just added some black buttons and ribbon.

I'm sure I will make a few more of these tops.

They are just sooo sweet!

Linking up here.

Waldorf Dress

Hello.

I made this little dress up as part of a birthday present for my daughters friend.

I used the Waldorf Pattern from 5 Berries.

I found this pattern very well written.

It has a very professional finish and includes french seams.

I decided to add a collar to the dress.

The pattern does not come with this option,

I just used a collar from another pattern.

I'm really pleased with how this dress turned out.

Hopefully she will send me a picture or two with her wearing it.

Linking up here.