Lessons in Dressmaking

So, I here is what I have learned from my most recent fashion sewing project:

1. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
2. EXPERIMENT ON SCRAP FABRIC WHEN MAKING BUTTON HOLES!
3. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
4. SEW THE GARMENT USING CHEAP FABRIC; IF IT TURNS OUT, USE YOUR FASHION FABRIC!
5. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!

Did I mention NOT TO CUT THE PATTERN?  I made this mistake when I began cutting out the pattern pieces for See and Sew B5634.  I decided cutting the pattern to the size I thought would fit my oldest daughter would be easier than trying to fold the pieces along the appropriate lines.  Well, it was easier, but in the end, the dress did not fit her!  Too small!  Fortunately, it fit my friend and she modeled it for the photos.

 

You can see in the photo where I violated lesson #2.  The second button is clearly misaligned.  Oops.  What's also obvious is that I paid no heed to lesson #4.  I should have made the dress using cheap fabric first! 

   

I actually learned a lot from this project that helped me make the next dress.  I had never made a collar before!  It was much easier than I expected!  Setting in the sleeves was a bit tricky, but I managed, and I carried this experience into the next dress project.

My daughter's favorite kinds of dresses are shirt dresses and wrap dresses.  I messed up the shirt dress, but I scored with this blue wrap dress.  Actually, I did not intend to use this blue fabric for the actual dress.  This is cheap fabric I used to "practice" the pattern.  My daughter saw the dress, tried it on, and decided she liked the fabric!  Hit!  She wore the dress to work!  If you are interested, this wrap dress pattern is from Sew Simple.  I picked it up at Walmart.  Easy!

So, with all these lessons learned, I'm now ready to attempt the shirt dress again.  This time, I'm going to use McCall's M4769.  I think the fuller skirt will fit my daughter better than the See and Sew pattern.    

I'm using this retro looking fabric for this dress.  I bought this at Quilts and Quilts, my favorite quilt shop  in  Branson, MO.

  

I also bought some "self-ruffling" yarn called, Flounce.  I had never knitted with this sort of yarn before so it was a little weird to get used to, but I managed to follow the directions and make this adorable little scarf!

I'm thinking these little scarves would make great teacher gifts this year!  They are very fast and the stitches are very forgiving!  If anyone is interested in a quick knitting lesson, let me know!  I'll post an easy tutorial!

I also bought a few Jelly Rolls at the quilt shop!  I've already begun work on a quilt using one of them!  I can't wait to show you!  Stay tuned!

Tootles!

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My First Dress!

Happy Monday!  There's an oxymoron for you!  Positive note:  It is almost Tuesday in my neck of the woods!  I hope everyone has a fantastic Tuesday and entire week!  On that note, I'm here to unveil my very first "dress."  Ever since I "met" Anna from Frosted Petunias through the Blissfull ATC Swap, I have wanted to make one of these little dresses.  I had never seen anything like them until I saw Anna's wardrobe safely keeping her dresses from harm.  Since then, I've seen others' great dresses through Alice and Camilla.  I decided to make my dress a little spooky given it is October.  I layered strips of cardstock overtop black fabric.  I've detailed the fabric, which is sewn,  on the bottom and neckline with black lace and tiny beads.  Oh, I printed a super small portion of a famous painting on the cardstock before "stripping."  Can you tell from what painting this is? 

What do you think? 

I can't wait to show you all the awesome stuff I scored over the weekend at the thrift, antique, and flea market!

Toodles for now!

My Collection Begins Plus More 1970s Stuff!

Today I recieved my first Artist Trading Card!  My collection of these tiny masterpeices begins!  If you have not heard about them, they are sort of like baseball cards, except they are made by artists to swap with others.  I have joined the Blissfull ATC Swap and have partnered up with Wendy for this first swap month.    Wendy's work is fantastic.  Her blog is full of gorgeous photos of her art.  Check out what she made for me!

  Isn't is beautiful!  I love it!  I mailed Wendy the ATC I made, which, compared to her's is completely amaturish, by hey, it's my first!  When Wendy receives my card, she'll post a photo of it on her blog, so look for it!  Hopefully she'll receive it by Wednesday!  The theme for July's swap is "Sisters."  Next month's theme is "orange."  I guess that means anything orange goes!

Well, I'm sure everyone participating in Rewind Week: 1970s has been busy working on their projects right!  If you haven't signed up to participate, it isn't too late!  There is still time!  I have had a super time reminiscing, going through old photos and talking about those things that stick out in my mind from my childhood.  In a way, the 1970s don't seem that long ago.  On the other hand, it seems like we have "advanced" so far since that time.  For example, think about video games.  Look at Wii and Playstation.  These games are so realistic aren't they?  Now think back to the games in the 1970s.  I remember playing a tennis type game on our ginormous console television...no remote control thank you very much.  I can still remember the sound. Ping...ping...ping. Another example of this advancement in our technology is in the kitchen. No, switching from avacado green appliances to sleek stainless steel is not technology, it is just better taste. No, the technology is in the appliances. Remember the "radarange?"

Atari Pong

Amana

Retro Renovation

And then, of course, our fashions have advanced.  Well, sort of.  I actually see a lot of people wearing "retro" inspired clothing.  Personally, I find the clothes of this time pretty awful...even more horrendous than the styles of the 1980s!

Vintage Patterns

I am actually really looking forward to doing Rewind Week: 1980s.  I was a child in the 1970s, but I grew up in the 1980s.  I wised up in the 1990s!

Alright, remember to grab your button if you are a participant! 

Toodles for now!