Itty Bitty Baby Dress - The Stars at Night Edition

 

I posted last week about the first version of this dress that I made for my cousin (see here). This is the other Texas themed one that completes the set!

The stars at night are big and bright

Deep in the heart of Texas!

Yellow Rose Baby Dress

This is the first time I've made the Itty Bitty Baby dress by Made by Rae (see pattern here). My cousin is having a baby girl in a couple of months and since the little miss will be born a Texan I thought it would be fun to go with a handmade Texas themed gift. This is the "Yellow Rose of Texas" dress and I'll be finishing the "Stars at Night" dress soon to go along with it.

 

 

I don't know if I can go an entire project without adding piping!

 



Instead of using bias tape to finish the edge, I did a really narrow hem.

 



I used princes seams and hand stitched the bodice lining down.

This is the finished dress...The pattern doesn't take very long to sew up and is ridiculously cute when it's done. I just hope it fits!

 



The Yellow Rose of Texas Dress (B5748) - Part 1 (Hand-Picked Zipper Attempt)

I finally finished a project but spoiler alert: this post is only about the zipper installation.  

 

 This retro 60s Butterick pattern (5748) has an inset side zipper that calls for a center lapped installation. I don't like lapped-style but since it was a retro pattern I decided to give hand-picking  a whirl to keep in the spirit of the vintage style. It's actually a really easy and quick process that makes it possible to adjust as you go. When it was all stitched up it looked like the first picture on the inside and like the second picture on the outside. If you look really closely on the second picture you can see the little "nips" where the thread came through (it's supposed to look like that). 

 

 On the hanger the zipper looked perfect but gaped at the waist seam when it was actually on (one reason why I never used lapped). I ripped out the stitches and tried again to tweak it but had the same issue the second time. I didn't feel like giving it a third go and instead just installed my good 'ol usual invisible zip.

 

 All of this to say that, while hand-picking didn't work for this particular project, it was a good new process to learn (I found this tutorial from Sewaholic extremely helpful). A stiffer fabric would've worked really well and in the future I would definitely try this again. I LOVE vintage styles and am always looking to learn new ways to add "authentic" vintage-type details to the things I make. This style of zipper is definitely a way to do that and helps me get over my exclusiveness with invisible installation! 

 

The Wrapper Dress

 I (finally) finished the dress I was making for one of the ladies at Howell Living History Farm. The time period the farm is set up to represent is 1890 to 1910, and this style of dress is appropriate to the time period. I am hoping to get pictures of her wearing the dress soon. Although the dress is not fitted per se, it took a lot of work to get it right. The pattern was a 1970's reprint of an historical pattern, and it had some funky things going on. The biggest issue was the front of the dress. Inside there is a built-in vest to keep things in, but it wasn't really that long. The front of the bodice was completely open, and the opening was longer than the inner vest leaving a large gap. It was unclear what they did historically, and hook and eyes have been the solution at the farm for the most part. I extended the front pieces to add a hidden button placket...I would explain but its pretty confusing! It ended up working great and there is now a hidden row of buttons to keep things from getting scandalous.

The ruffle on the bottom was sewn ON TOP of the skirt, so the top had to be finished. After studying the original 1900 Sears Catalog, we decided it would be OK to add a bias tape trim over the ruffle edge.

The dress originally had a belt that was sewn on but all the women at the farm wear aprons and the belt is sort of redundant. To make it optional, I sewed a little stay over the pleats and added buttons. The belt can be buttoned on or removed.

And the pleats....oh, the pleats. I think there were 42 teeny-tiny pleats on each side. It was pretty much a pain in the neck. I was able to sneak in some piping, though, after some discussion amongst various people about whether it was suitable. I am glad I got the OK to add it, because it really adds to the dress and goes with the bias tape at the hem. Many, if not most, of the women there have dresses made from the same pattern so it is nice to add unique features. 

The lady who received this dress has worked for the farm something like 25 years and I think she said this is her 3rd or 4th dress. They really wear them out. She gave me her last dress to take measurements from and I couldn't even use it because it was in such tatters it would rip when I tried to smooth it out. It was pretty shredded up and very faded. The ladies who sew their own dresses might have 2 or 3 dresses, but I think those that rely on others to sew their dresses end up with one dress to wear all the time. 

Since this dress will be worn a lot, I tried to make it as nicely as possible. All the seams are French seams, even the curved ones that shape the back bodice. It think this dress took at least 7 or 8 yards of fabric!

Another Itty Bitty Baby Dress!

Here is another Itty Bitty Baby dress I made for the farm shop. I had just enough of the blue to make the dress, and I had the perfect solid fabric to match it. The flower is just a fabric yo-yo and felt leaves.  

Another Heart Dress

Twirly Easter Dress

After all the sewing for the farm, I was happy to make a dress for my little girl. A while back, I had bought several yards of this Amy Butler fabric for a dress, but it wasn't quite what I was going for. It was, however, perfectly suited for an Easter dress. I used the same bodice I have been using, with the heart cutout, and used a circle skirt to add twirly-ness. 

The flower is just pinned on, because I am not quite happy with it. You can't tell, but I made her a matching headband. 

She didn't want to stand still, but can you blame her?

This is my favorite part: the rick rack!

Another Heart Dress

Here is one of my latest dresses for the farm shop. This one is a size 8 and hopefully someone will be happy to find a bigger size. I think they usually have smaller sizes for sale. I used the same idea for the top, with a heart cutout in the back. This time I used a circle skirt instead of the box-pleated skirt. There are pros and cons to the circle skirt. The cons being you have to do math, and the hem is a mile long. The pros are that I am married to an engineer who specializes in math, and there are no side seams to sew. And a circle skirt makes for a happy little girl who can twirl to her heart's content.

Farm Shop Dress

Here is the latest dress I made for the farm shop. I am happy to say it sold within 5 minutes of arriving at the farm! The fabric is some cute vintage stuff that I loved, but wasn't sure if others would feel the same way. The lining and flower are from one of Dad's dress shirts. I guess I will be making more dresses for next week!

Dresses

I made these two dresses for my work-share at the farm. I had seen a cute dress online with a heart cut-out in the back. I could have bought the pattern but didn't feel like paying 10 bucks for something I knew I could easily do. Now that I have it figured out, I plan on making my daughter's Easter dress with a heart in the back. I kind of felt bad making her try it on for pictures then giving it away!

And yes! You better believe I put some rick rack on it! :) I used jumbo rick rack to make scallops around the waist.

This one is from Made By Rae's Itty Bitty Dress pattern. It is fun and easy to sew up, and stinkin' cute! It is teeny-tiny as you can see from the next picture. It is sized for a newborn. 

And the good news is both dresses have already sold!! That was fast! I guess I know what I'll be making this week. The clothespin bags also went fast. I think they only have one left.

Vogue 8701

The truth is, I finished this dress over a month ago. Or two. I saw the pattern on Pinterest in an adorable green plaid. Yes, I said adorable and plaid in the same sentence. Plaid is not usually my bag, but this one I love. However, I couldn't find any like it. Not knowing how the pattern would turn out anyway, I used some fabric leftover from another dress I made a while back. I am happy with how it turned out! The raglan sleeves were a bit tricky, but in the end they look nice inside and out. It is not exactly the most comfortable dress ever, due to the way it sits on my shoulders, but I love it. The back is a V, as you can see. And I can officially install zippers without an increase in blood pressure!

Michael Miller Gnome Dress

I have a confession to make: I love garden gnomes. I used to hate them. I thought they were cheesy. Well, I still think they are cheesy but maybe that's why I love them so much. Over a year ago, I spotted this fabric on fabric.com. I loved it, but it was on back order. Forever. Seriously, it was on back order for about 6 months. When I went back to check, they had moved the date out even further. When they finally got it in stock, I ordered some! I was really surprised that my daughter loved the fabric as much as I did, but she was thrilled to have a 'mushroom dress'. Here it is:

The collar is out of a thrift store sheet and....rick rack! Are you surprised? The buttons are these super awesome green flower buttons that really made the dress. I begged them from Mom for my birthday and have been holding on to them for the perfect time. And the accessories? Brought to you by Fruit Loops and her Sunday School teacher.

Let's Go Fly A Kite Sundress

About a month ago I ran into a tutorial on Pinterest for this dress. I thought it was cute and had to make one! I didn't really start out to make a 'dressy' dress, but when I was digging though my stash I found the leftovers from my Christmas party dress. How could I resist? I had a scrap of a curtain (yard sale find!) that I had used in the past for a Princess dress. I did the narrower sleeves as the tutorial suggested and was glad I did. Also, I traced it from one of her closer fitting t-shirts but I feel like it's still a little wide. However, if it was more fitted it would require a zipper. Instead of buttons in the front, I made a few flowers out of the leftover scraps and beaded the centers.

P.S. Isn't she the most adorable girl EVER?! :)

Easter Dress (Simplicity 2828)

This dress was made from a very simple Project Runway pattern (Simplicity). I have made this dress a few times before. It makes for a quick finished product. Unless, of course, your sewing machine decides to go on the fritz in the middle of it. Thankfully I was able to finish it in time for Easter on Mom's machine, while mine went to the shop. I used the same fabrics as I used in the infamous coat. To add a little pizzazz to an otherwise simple dress, I added a folded band of pink faux suede between the bodice and the skirt. I made a bow of the suede and sewed it in place. The pink faux suede came from...you guessed it....a yard sale, and had its first life as a hideous bead-fringed curtain. I think it is better suited for little girls apparel than curtains. :)

Simplicity 2473

Here is a dress I finished this week. I had to beg my husband to take 'normal' photos in which he doesn't use trick angles to make me look like a) Amazon woman, or b) a midget. This dress is Simplicity 2473, one of those Project Runway patterns. The pattern is very simple to make. I got crazy and used all French seams, even the cap sleeves. It was tricky but doable. Instead of using any of the belt options, I cut out 2 extra front midriff pieces, sewed them together and turned them for a faux belt. The buckle is a vintage find that I have had for a long time. The fabric is from Obi's in Lancaster. It is a reproduction feed sack print. I also added piping at the neck. My one beef with this pattern is that the skirt is a wee bit short. It hits a little above the knee, and that was using a very narrow hem. If I make it again, I will add an inch or two when cutting.

Party Dress Butterick 5603

This dress was made using a vintage repro pattern (Butterick 5603). I made option B but left the ties off. The fabric is a polyester shantung from JoAnns. This dress is very fitted and I wish I had made a size up. I think from now on that is what I am going to do. Its easier to take things in anyway. The one issue I had with the pattern was that the front of the straps kind of gape a little. I think that if I had added the ties, that would have made the difference. Also, the neck line is low. I added some conveniently placed fabric flowers to cover things up a little, and I am happy with how it turned out. To make the flowers, I cut strips of fabric in various lengths and widths. I folded them in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and ran a gathering stitch down the raw edge. I gathered the strip and then formed the flower. I tacked them down on interfacing and then cut away as much as I could. That gave them a nice sturdy backing, and allowed me lay arrange them on the dress to see if I liked them before sewing them on.

For The Princess

Here is the dress I made for my daughter for her birthday. After a fruitless search for a pattern that I liked, I found this tutorial online. I knew I had to make it! I had just enough princess fabric to make it work. The dress is the size 5 and I used 1 1/2 yards. I'm amazed that you can make a dress as flouncy as this with so little fabric! I am really thrilled with the way it turned out, and so is she, except that she wants the flower in front to be pink and not blue/green. Time for a lesson in complimentary color! :) The only thing I would change about the pattern is the width of the bodice. Its a bit too wide for my girl, so if I make it again I will take it in.

The back: this is what sold me on the dress!

The skirt has four ruffled tiers

The flower in question

Ruffle Closeup


Ta-Dah!!


Perfect for twirling!

A Dress: Simplicity 2886

Here is a dress I actually finished about a month or so ago. It's taken me all this time to get pictures of it, but I have worn it a few times. A sweet friend of mine, Linda, sent me a Joanns card for my birthday. I decided that I was going to make something just for me! :) I did the whole inner-debate-in-the-fabric-aisle about where or not this fabric was too obnoxious. Obviously, I decided to get it. I knew I would be adding a black waistband and piping. The waistband is pleated? Tucked? I can never remember what its called. I added the piping and left off the sash that was called for. I am happy with the results, although I have to get used to the feel of the dress, because it makes me feel like I am wearing a six person tent! :)

Take Two

Here is the second version of the same pattern (Simplicity 2828). This dress was made with a seersucker print I found at JoAnns a while back for only $1 a yard. I hit the jackpot that day, and bought several of these prints for my daughter. This time, I used a pink lace (from Grandma) for the neckline, and a zipper in the back. My daughter likes both dresses, and she took several minutes deciding which one to put on and prance around in.