The Chevron Dress

I love this material! I bought it off etsy a few months ago and have been wondering what to do with it ever since. Two nights ago, it hit me that it would make a beautiful full dress and I whipped it up that night. I love spontaneous sewing projects.

I used this same dress pattern (New Look 6879), but made the sleeveless version and added more volume to the skirt.

Scarlett put it on and promptly informed me that she did not like this dress. What a little stinker. Toddlers sure know how to show gratitude, right?

Inspiration

Inspiration for sewing comes from all over. I love to browse online sites, such as crewcuts and Janie and Jack. However, you may be surprised to know that one of my best sources for ideas comes from our children's illustrations.

My favorite illustrator is Gyo Fujikawa, who wrote and illustrated many books through out the 60's and 70's. Babies is her most famous work.

The dresses she draws on her little characters are just precious!!! I continually glean ideas from her illustrations to incorporate into my sewing.


1. I love the white peter pan collar with the simple dress (you could use 'The Perfect Dress' to create this).

2. The three-quarter length sleeves are perfect with the stark black and white pattern. I could use this pattern again and just lengthen the sleeves. A black peter pan collar would be cute with it as well. And maybe a sash.

3. This is just fun. The collar is too much but I still love it.

4. Gingham anything steals my heart. I love this!!! I am currently on creating this right now.


Where do you get your inspiration from?

Sequins

I've had sequin trims for years and never used them since I was not sure how to. Well, I finally decided to just wing and and found that they are really easy to work with.

The strands of sequins have a definite front and back.

Place the sequins down on the skirt and make sure that they are lapped going away from the presser foot, so the presser foot does not catch them while sewing. Sew, as normal, in the very middle of the trim and you are done. Easy!

Make-Your-Own-Patterns

The more I sew, the more I enjoy creating patterns from favorite clothes we already own.

Take this little dress...

Scarlett wore this all winter long, with leggings. I loved how comfortable it was and decided to create spring dresses for her, based on this pattern.


I took the dress and created a paper pattern. From there I altered the pattern to make it short-sleeved and added a flouncy ruffle. This was what the new pattern became:

A simple happy summer dress.

The fabric I scored for only $3 a yard in the clearance bin and it is Juicy Couture. It is a lightweight, loose, and super-soft knit.

Tips for Making your own Patterns from Clothes:

1. You can create patterns by measuring and guestimating without cutting up the old item. However, being able to cut out clear pieces make pattern-copying much easier. This is where thrift stores became a gold-mine. Pay $1 or so for something that you don't mine destroying so you can use it to create a pattern.

2. Use pattern paper. Please, please, please don't go cheap and try to use anything else. It is on a grid and will make your life much easier.

3. Most pieces are symmetrical. Therefore, you only need to draw half of the pattern on the paper. Then place it on a fold and cut it out to ensure both sides are exact.

4. Make sure you add seem allowances! So important.

5. Be flexible. Improvise if things are turning out perfect. See the ruffle on her skirt above? That was a last minute add-on when I realized I made it too short.

6. Have fun! Make the pattern your own. Add your own details and don't try to make an exact replica.

Easter Dresses

For the first time ever, I actually finished the Easter dresses before Easter. Whoohoooo!

I went pretty traditional, using Shirley Temple as my inspiration. I loved her high-waisted full dresses.

For the fabric, I chose a lightweight Swiss Dot for a nostalgic feel. I instantly go weak whenever I come across Swiss Dot and it instantly is added to the fabric stash.

For the pattern, I used New Look 6879 and made some minor alterations with the sash. I also wanted to make the dress a little fuller but ran out of netting and had to settle with what I had.


Baby Autumn's dress was a very simple A-line. I used this pattern to create it, but only used two rows of shirring. And the best part is that with the elastic threads, it will easily be worn as a tunic or top when she is older.

The flower is just gathered red twill ribbon that I sewed in a circle. Took literally three minutes.

Now we just need Easter to come!

Baby Bedding

I've taken a break from sewing clothes to work on my girls' room. I hope to create a calm, simple, cozy and feminine room.

I purchased a vintage coverlet for Scarlett from a local flee market. This became my inspiration for the entire room.

For my baby's crib, I needed to find baby bedding to match, and decided simple white chenille bumpers would look best. However, my search for chenille bumpers was futile and so I made my own. They really were not too hard, especially when you purchase these bumper fillers.

For the crib skirt, I cut a rectangle, from the chenille, and sewed elastic along the upper border. I used adhesive elastic on the frame of the crib so it would just stick right on. Super simple! The pom-poms, on the bedskirt, were white and I dyed them, along with the curtains to make a perfect color match.

Mobile is from HERE on etsy. I mailed a sample of the exact yellow I wanted the mobile in and she matched it beautifully. I know am now looking for some simple wall art... and I'll be DONE.

Suggestions?

Ruffle Robe

Inspired by Dana's Ruffle Robe from MADE, I decided my little Scarlett needed one. I bought a used, ugly-patterned one at the thrift store for $1, cut it up for a pattern, and made my own version from some lavender and white terry cloth. I loved how it turned out. My only regret is that I wish I would have used a thicker terry cloth for added warmth.

My poor husband was confused why I would buy one robe, only to cut it up, to make another. There are some things only women understand.