Sewing for Spring!

So about a month ago my friend Blithe (Hi,Blithe!) got together for a day of sewing! We were very focused and only stopped to pick up the kids at school and eventually to feed them dinner (sort of,Mark really helped out there). We each got about 80% of the way done with these cute little “Wrap-a-Rama”dress out of the book Absolutely A-line by Wendi Gratz. Actually Blithe adapted the pattern to make more of a tunic shirt. It was really cute! (But I don’t have a picture that I can post of hers…hint,hint). So three weeks later,I finally put the finishing touches on Claire’s dress and tah-dah,it’s too big! Oh,well. She’ll grow into it. Although she really wants to wear it now,as you can see.

The pattern called for one fabric with a liner,but I decided to use two fabrics just because I had them and thought they were fun. I got these Kaffe Fassett fabrics on sale when visiting my mom in Idaho,so I did not want to spend a lot of money on the lining. But I did feel it needed a fabric that blended well. So what did I do? When to Target of course! Now,you maybe a little confused here,but that’s OK. I had read on Mother Huddle about a skirt made from a pillow case and it was a eureka moment for me. Sheets are soft (a requirement for Claire),come in many colors,and I could find them CHEAP! You can get two good quality pillow cases for about $7 at Target or a whole sheet set for about $14 (that’s a lot of fabric!). I found a great purple colored sheets and decided to by the set because I wanted to make more stuff with the same Kaffe fabrics. (I see a pillowcase skirt in my future).

I had to adjust the pattern in Absolutely A-line to make a 3 in the body,but add the length of a 5. I think next time,I will have to bring in the bodice even more. This book is real fun and has great quality patterns. Just as a note:because my mom has taught me what I know of sewing,I don’t cut out the paper pattern. Instead I use wax paper to outline the pattern onto muslin. And use the muslin as my pattern. I will have to admit that the directions has us pulling our hair out at times,but I usually have this problem with all patterns. But I do recommend reading over the directions a few times before starting. Also I highly recommend a sewing buddy,just like all activities,it’s safer with a friend. I have never done a button hole before,and did not feel like waiting another 3 weeks to practice,so in the end I sewed on some snaps and placed a cute false button on the front. And called it good.

Ever since I finished this dress,I have been itching to make the “Candy Stripe”dress out of this book. Now,I just need some time!

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If you have any cute sewing projects you want to show off,please post them and send them to me via Facebook. I’d love to see them.