Sewing for Girls

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Polka Dot Peplum in Knit

I told you I like this pattern. It’s the First Day Dress Pattern from MADE – again! I like it so much I sewed up a second peplum in the same week.

polka dot peplum sewn by #fromwholecloth

When Dana recently posted a bunch of finished garments from her pattern, there were several polka dot peplums. They looked so darn cute I was inspired to make my own. Polka dots + peplum = perfection! And alliterative overload.

Peplum #2 is made from a knit fabric. The fabric was in my stash – I believe I purchased it from Girl Charlee. It doesn’t have much stretch, so I’m guessing it’s all cotton.

polka dot peplum sewn by #fromwholecloth

Knits are a staple in my daughter’s wardrobe and I was hoping to add this pattern to the knit repertoire. Knit was not included among the recommended fabrics for this pattern, and I was curious if it would work or if, for example, the peplum skirt would fall flat in a knit fabric.

I wanted a quick way to determine if the pattern would support this kind of fabric without expending too much time or using more fabric than necessary, so I some modifications from the full pattern instructions for this “muslin.” I didn’t fully line the bodice — essentially I made more of a “facing” by lining enough of the top bodice portion to allow me to enclose the raw edges of the neckline, armholes and the back slit. I didn’t pay close attention to the length of the facing when cutting it, and I ended up with just enough to cover the back opening. Phew! I didn’t line the skirt at all.

Despite taking a quick and dirty approach to the bodice, I decided to fully line the sleeves. The underside can sometimes be seen when the top is worn, and I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity for a fun surprise underneath, and I was concerned the knit fabric might cause the sleeves to droop in an unflattering way. I really like the perky sleeves that you achieve with woven fabrics in this pattern, and I was hoping to mimic that in the knit top. I ended up using a woven fabric to line the sleeves, both because the color worked well (it’s a yellow polka dot print) and I thought the woven fabric would lend structure. Also, since my knit exterior fabric is not particularly stretchy, I wasn’t concerned about the combination of different substrates creating a wonky or misshapen outcome. I also added piping between the bodice and skirt on this peplum. Just for fun and an extra dash of color.

There are two levitra prices http://deeprootsmag.org/2015/10/27/beautiful-restraint/ common types of chronic pancreatitis: alcoholic and biliary. bulk buy viagra deeprootsmag.org Some people also claim that these special Acai Capsules are natural appetite suppressants, but these claims have not been scientifically proved. The later canadian viagra click to find out is the most prominent reason to impotence, but hormone misbalance may be a factor too. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like poor diet, viagra sales australia lack of exercise, smoking, chronic alcoholism and use of illicit drugs can increase the Nebwenwirkungen Kamagra. I should mention that while I often size down when sewing a kid’s woven fabric pattern in knit, I didn’t size down in this case – both because of the more fitted style of this particular top and the fact that the knit I used is not very stretchy.

You think this is a jump rope? Heck no - it's a microphone!

You think this is a jump rope? Heck no – it’s a microphone!

My verdict — I think the pattern works well with knit, bearing in mind I used a lighter weight knit with limited stretch. I’m pretty confident it would work just fine with a medium weight knit, too, but you might lose some of the peppiness in the skirt because of the additional fabric weight. Also, next time I sew this in knit, I’ll just line the whole bodice. Making the facing was intended as a shortcut for this muslin, but a full bodice lining doesn’t use much more fabric and I didn’t really save any time with the facing. The full lining would also eliminate any bumps or shifting that the facing might produce.

I’m so glad to have another pattern option for sewing with knits!

In case anyone was wondering… how do I know when my daughter is ready to call it quits on our photo shoots? She launches into crazy eyes poses!

polka peplum5Polka Dot Peplum

 

Yep, time to call it a day!

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Pretty Peplum: First Day Dress & Top Pattern

first day top sewn by #fromwholecloth

I admit, I’ve been converted.

I have historically not been a fan of the peplum. Perhaps because I don’t believe it would be a particularly flattering style for myself, and so my mind just clicks off at the thought of them.   The whole volume at the hips thing; it’s just something I try to avoid. But when Dana of MADE posted the creations by the pattern testers for her new First Day Dress Pattern, I was immediately smitten with the peplums. (You can check out her post here.)

I could not resist the power of the peplum. It went like this: read Dana’s post, ooh & aahh, buy pattern, choose fabric, cut, sew, smile.

first day top pattern sewn by #fromwholecloth

The First Day Dress and Top Pattern was released about two months ago. I liked it when I first saw it, but since I already have several little girl dress patterns (not all of which I’ve sewn yet — *confession*), I decided to hold off on purchasing it. But the peplum …. well, the peplum’s a bird of another color — it’s a top not a dress! I’m completely justified in my purchase! Ahem, of course, that’s not to say I won’t be making the dress versions included in the pattern, too.

first day dress and top pattern sewn by #fromwholecloth

In addition to my new found peplum-adoration, I just adore this fabric. It’s Dainty Daisies from Joel Dewberry’s Bungalow collection. The top is lined in a solid olive by Amy Butler.

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1st Day Peplum

Let me tell you, this thing’s got SWING! You just have to twirl in a top like this.

As with Dana’s other patterns, the instructions are thorough and make for an easy sew. Since Daisy is starting to size out of size 2T, I made this in a 3T even though she met the size 2T measurements. My only modifications were to cut the neckline slightly wider and also cut the back slit 5 inches long, rather than 4 inches. (Thanks to Erin at hungie gungie for that pointer!) The finished garment is intended to be fitted through the bodice, which makes it extra feminine, so these modifications assisted a bit in helping pull the dress over Daisy’s head and shoulders. I also finished the hem using a method I learned from The Cottage Mama patterns, as opposed to the method shown in the pattern. It feels a bit funky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it makes finishing the hem on a lined dress a breeze.

I would definitely recommend this pattern. Not only does it produce a great looking result, it has several options included (A-line dress/top, swing dress/top, with and without sleeves), so you totally get your money’s worth out of this pattern. I still can’t believe I completely overlooked the peplum option when the pattern was first released.

first day dress pattern sewn by #fromwholecloth

She likes this top. I like this top. Everyone’s a winner here. Power to the peplum!

first day dress pattern sewn by #fromwholecloth

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Kid’s Clothes Week Summer 2014 – Project #1

It’s Kid’s Clothes Week, summer edition!  The sewing is going well. The photo shoots are another story, however.

There has been a lot of her forced “I’m not really into this, Mom” smile, making it very clear what she thinks about me interrupting her morning with a photo shoot.

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

This KCW’s theme is “Kid Art”. Sticking to the theme is optional, and it’s open to any interpretation that tickles your fancy.

I was going in a million different directions contemplating how to incorporate the theme into my KCW projects. I finally decided to use fabrics that remind me of art and to try being a bit more creative (dare I say, artsy?) about using the fabrics in my chosen designs.

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

I selected these fabrics from Lotta Jansdotter’s Blooma fabric collection. They definitely make me think of kid art. The lines of varying widths, criss-crossing and headed in different directions, the spare but interesting design. Young modern art!

I used the Ruby Ruffle Dress sewing pattern by the Cottage Mama for this project. I love this pattern and have used it several times, including for Daisy’s birthday balloon dress  and my new sewing machine initiation project. It’s a great pattern with excellent instructions.
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I used version C of the pattern, which is a simple A-line dress in a jumper style with button closures at the shoulders. The pattern envisions using a single fabric, so basically I just cut my pattern piece in half to allow for a “color-blocking” effect with the two fabrics. (PS: I sized up to 3T, so the fit is quite generous at this point, and I also shortened it. We will definitely be able to use this as a top paired with leggings or pants as she grows.)

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

Since the fabrics I selected were so linear, I decided a wavy divide between the fabrics would provide more visual interest than a straight cut across the chest. It definitely required slow and careful sewing along the curves to prevent puckering, but it was worth it. I am so happy with how it turned out!

I also chose different sized buttons for the shoulders, as a nod to the way children (or at least mine!) are not overly concerned with, or constrained by, symmetry in their artistic ventures. However I’m not sure the different proportions are all that obvious.

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

The buttons are both over-sized and neither fit in the buttonhole foot for my sewing machine. It was my first time making buttonholes without the “automatic” feature on my machine, and it wasn’t all that difficult. I’m awarding myself bonus points for learning a new sewing skill!

Okay, I’ve got to get rolling on my next KCW project..

Wavy Linear Dress by fromwholecloth.com

 

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Easter Dress 2014: Geranium Dress Pattern

Easter1

I realize Easter was a few months ago, but since I never posted about this dress I thought I’d share it now before it becomes really old news.

I had no intention of making Easter outfits for the kids this year. They already had perfectly acceptable holiday outfits in their wardrobes and I thought I’d save my efforts for something else. And I was 50% true to my intentions. Daisy got a new dress sewn by Mom, and Eli went store-bought all the way.

Easter2

Shortly before Easter I decided I wanted to make a dress for my cousin’s new baby using the Geranium Dress Sewing Pattern by Made by Rae. However, I had never sewn the pattern and despite my desire to get right down to business I acknowledged that first making a muslin from the pattern would be the more boring most prudent approach. And that, in the overused and likely worn out nutshell, is how my daughter scored a handmade Easter dress. (By the way, what kind of nutshell is it? My vote is for hazelnut or almond. And while we’re debating nuts, why the heck are there multiple names for hazelnuts?)

The effort went well enough that I think this dress can shed the muslin label. The fabrics are both from my stash and admittedly not what would typically be considered muslin fabric; a medium pink gingham for the bodice and a floral for the skirt bottom, both purchased on sale from fabric.com a couple of years ago. The floral fabric is from a Beatrix Potter licensed fabric collection, although I don’t recall the manufacturer.

The Geranium Dress pattern includes several different style variations, and for this dress I chose the notched neckline and the faux cap sleeve. The cap sleeve style looks better when it isn’t paired with a t-shirt underneath, but our Easter weather wasn’t quite mild enough for her to comfortably go bare-armed.

Easter3

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For the kids, the highlight of our Easter festivities was definitely the egg hunt graciously hosted by my sister-in-law. The pictures below perfectly capture why Daisy won’t be scoring the most eggs any time soon.

Eli had the right technique for amassing eggs — locate, grab, drop in basket, repeat.

Easter5

Whereas Daisy proved to be more of an egg connoisseur, taking her time and inspecting each egg she found.

Easter6

Yep, she’s still there.  It’s as if I photo-shopped Eli out of the picture. She’s barely moved an inch!

Perhaps she is looking for the Faberge eggs? I could have sworn they told me they’d have Faberge this year! What kind of egg hunt is this?!

I was trying not to interrupt the egg hunting while I snapped a few photos of the dress. It seemed like every time I went to take a picture of her, she was examining an egg with her hands up blocking a view of the notched bodice. I nicely asked “please put your hands down, so mommy can take a picture” and, since Daisy interprets everything so literally, this was the result.

Easter4

Well, her hands are down. Easter egg hunt zombie style.

Easter7

Ahhh, sometimes I think that soon enough I’ll know what it’s like to be the mother of the class clown.