Work in progress

Besides keeping busy with Sophia and Passion Parties, I've been sneaking this during her naptimes.

Now to get her to nap more!

Actual Crafting Was Accomplished!

That's right, I actually got some crafting done. I just didn't think about it, but I created it. You know that feeling you get, that itch and you just HAVE to make something? Well, I realized that I have yet to sew clothes for Sophia. So voila, the summer dress! I know, summer is almost over.

She *loves* the dress. I'm so glad. When I was really young, I loved all the clothes my mom made me. However, as I got older, she wanted to dress my little sis and I alike. Welllll. . . sis was the skinny one and I was the chubby one. You see where I'm going? Sophia has worn this dress three times since I made it about 1 1/2 weeks ago. No, I'm not making her wear it as often as she can before summer ends. She picked it out herself.

Okay the directions are easy. I would say this is a experienced beginner (meaning you might have 2 or 3 sewing projects under your belt). I took one of Sophia's tank tops and traced it on some paper (I have large pieces of paper just for patternmaking). Then I added about 1 1/2 inches on each seam since the tank top was a knit and stretches. My fabric is a woven cotton blend and doesn't stretch. The 1/2 inch is my seam allowance. (I have no idea why commerical pattern companies use 5/8". It makes it sooo hard to do math this way. Maybe I'm just not good at fractions.). I also made the bodice shorter than the tank top--I placed the tank against the sleeping toddler (did I mention I made this at 1AM?) to eyeball how long I wanted the bodice to be. I also made the front neckline a bit lower than the front (for comfort). The front is cut on the fold and the back is 2 pieces so she can get her head comfortably through it. I also self-lined the bodice (but you don't have to) by cutting double of the each piece. Sew side seams and shoulder seams. Leave the center back seam open.

The skirt was easy. I only had a piece of fabric about 3/4 yard. I wanted the stripes to run vertically, so I cut the fabric into 3 equal pieces. I sewed the vertical edges together and made a tube. I then ran a gathering stitch ( set your machine on its' longest stitch setting, usually 4 or 5) at 1/4" from the edge. And another one 1/4" from that one. Tip: from the middle of our presser foot to the edge is usually 1/4". I then attached the skirt to the bodice, pulling the gathering threads as needed to make it fit. You want the skirt to be a bit larger than the bodice it's bit more flow-y. I added buttons to the back of the bodice, hemmed the skirt and voila! Instant dress! You can do snaps, zippers, or ties in the back if buttons and buttonholes aren't your thing.

I also cut out some applique pieces for the front of the bodice but haven't gotten around to attaching it yet. Some day. Maybe before she outgrows it. HA! I like this pattern/design because when it becomes to short to be a dress, I can just use it as a top. Thinking ahead. . .