Feeling spring-y, I made this dress last night:
It took me almost 4 straight hours of sewing, but it was fun. I used Simplicity 3511 and actually understood most of the pattern’s directions. The best part of the pattern are the buttons on the back. Although they aren’t really necessary since I can get the dress on and off Ms O without using them, the buttons are too cute to leave out.
I haven’t made a square neck in a while and wanted to make a “practice” dress before sewing the dress which Ms O will be wearing to a family wedding in a couple weeks. I thought about making the practice dress out of muslin as most people do, but I knew that if I put all this effort into making something I wanted it to be wearable even if it may be a little off.
I am so picky about my fabric. For this dress, I used fabric from Denyse Schmidt’s Katie Jump Rope line. I had made myself a skirt out of this stuff last year and really like it because it’s light-weight and super soft.
Overall, easy pattern, straight forward and cute finished product. I’ll be making the actual wedding dress today out of this fabric and can’t wait.
And on a different note, have you noticed my new Sew, Mama, Sew! button in the sidebar? I was introduced today as one of the four Editorial Board Members. When Kristin asked if I would be a part of a new planning team, I about fell out of my chair. ME? Of course I would! Since then, we’ve started brainstorming great ideas for next month’s theme and I can’t wait for it to start. I’m always going to SMS blog for their great tutorials, links, and of course, fabric! I hope you will swing by and take a look as well.
Posted by iHanna on April 15, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Oh my gosh how cute she is – and the dress is just gorgeous! Lovely in fact.
Posted by Christy on April 15, 2008 at 10:21 pm
That dress is adorable!!! I love SMS and can’t wait for Women’s Clothing Month to begin!
Posted by Lil' d on April 15, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Gorgeous dress – I love the button detail. Congratulations on the SMS board status, too – well done.
Posted by Rae on April 15, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Oh that is just so cute. I love it!! I especially like when little girls wear colors that aren’t so “girly.” They look so much chic-er. (:
Posted by Lisa Milton on April 16, 2008 at 12:06 am
That dress is perfect for spring – especially the weather we just had last weekend.
Congratulations on the board position. How exciting. I think you should compile some of your tutorials and see if you could get a book deal.
Seriously.
Posted by paperseed on April 16, 2008 at 3:03 am
Holy cow what a perfectly gorgeous little dress! Ms. O is simply precious in it, and I love the chosen fabric. A job well done!
Posted by seemommysew on April 16, 2008 at 5:33 am
What a sweet dress! I know what you mean about muslins. I know I should sometimes, but I think I’d rather possible waste fabric than my time.
Congrats on the Sew Mama Sew board!
Posted by thornberry on April 16, 2008 at 6:24 am
That dress is absolutely divine (and so is the little one wearing it). Beautiful marriage of fabric and pattern!
Posted by Lee on April 16, 2008 at 1:13 pm
You’re simply brilliant that’s all.
I’d still be sewing that dress until my child was engaged and married. God Bless your talent!
Sew Mama Sew! ~Lovely model too~
Lee
http://www.Unlimited.MentorsClub.com
Posted by mommiemarzie on April 16, 2008 at 4:38 pm
The dress is so cute! Ms. O looks lovely in it. What will Ms. O’s wedding dress be made out of?
Congrats on SMS! I saw it on their site and was so excited for you!!
-Kathy
Posted by Michelle on April 16, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I was going to make myself a skirt out of that fabric. Maybe, now, I’m make a shirt. It’s so cute!
Posted by Heather on April 16, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Congrats!! They will benefit for having asked you on board.
Super cute dress, I love the DS Katie Jump Rope line.
Posted by Jen Eskridge on April 16, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Congrats on the board membership for Sew Mama Sew. Thats a great site! The dress is lovely. I”ll have to check back and see what it looks like in the “real” version. The practice turned out excellent. ~jen~
Posted by ginger on April 17, 2008 at 3:35 am
Hi, it is me …from “the office” ….congrats on your editorial role….and I’m with you on the muslin making….in fact I am not likely to “practice” usually I just jump in….I did make a wedding dress for a niece a few years ago and made a “mock-up” first and I was glad I did…..did you water your plants today???Ginger
Posted by Kuky on April 17, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I love this dress. I think it’s a great pattern and a wonderful fabric choice.
And yeah I never make muslin practice dresses when I’m sewing for Isabelle. But for me that’s another story.
I’ve never once regretted making a muslin for my clothes. That’s because most of them were unwearable and would have been a total waste of fabric. I think that means I need to start sewing more from English patterns instead of Japanese. Ha ha ha!
Posted by Pip on April 18, 2008 at 7:56 am
Oh. It’s so lovely. Just adorably super-good!
Posted by bitterbetty on April 22, 2008 at 3:42 am
love that little dress!
Posted by Rebecca on May 23, 2008 at 4:50 am
Thanks for posting this dress – I just love it. I probably wouldn’t have glanced twice at the pattern, the cover does not do it justice – they should put your finished project on the package and it would sell out! I bought the pattern and ordered some fabric to make it for my little one too.
Posted by Ashley on May 29, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Cutest dress ever! I am so impressed with your sewing! My mother and I will be teaching ourselves this summer, and I’ll be referring back to your blog for tips!
Thanks for writing!