These two dresses remind me of "back to school" outfits, and I intended to post about them back in August when we started school. It didn't happen. :-) Both of these dresses are once again something I pulled from the closet---treasures from the past.I made the blue chambray dress for Heather in 1995 using a Kay Guiles pattern called "Elissa." The only picture I have of Heather wearing the dress was taken at a birthday celebration, and the snapshot is not that good.
The apple dress below was made in 2000 and is "Lee" from Children's Corner patterns. The piecework inset pattern "An Apple a Day," is also from Children's Corner. This particular dress was fun to make, and the paper piecing inset was something new for me. I loved how this dress looked on Katie when she was 11. Unfortunately, Ellen, who is now 11, won't wear the dress. So much for a "classic, never-go-out-of-style" pattern.I've enjoyed rediscovering these dresses that I sewed so many years ago. There are several more in the closet that I hope to write about soon. One thing I have learned from doing this is that it's important to take pictures of my children wearing the creations I've made for them to wear. I'm finding that I didn't take very good snapshots, or very many snapshots, of my girls wearing their made-by-mama clothes.That is one impetus I had in deciding to write out these special dresses---to have a journal or record of sorts of some of the dresses I spent so much time in making. I would highly encourage those of you who sew for your children or others to keep a record of what you sew and to take lots of pictures! It's something I wish now, that I would have done back then.Ruth
I always enjoy entering sewing items in our local county fair. And I love to walk around looking at the textile displays to see what other people have been sewing and knitting. I feel so honored this year to have received 6 blue ribbons on 9 of the items I entered, including 2 "best of show" ribbons. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the "woolen article" trophy that I received for my blue socks, but someone did suggest using it for a bookend. :-)
One thing I've never done is to enter any sewing projects at the state fair. Our state fair is going on right now, and I hope to visit it one day next week. I'm sure to find lots of inspiration for future projects!Ruth
Oh, take notice of the sweetest baby ever---my grandson! Doesn't he have beautiful eyes?!
This top is from Simplicity's "Built By You" line of patterns. Most of them are really over the top trendy (in my opinion), but I thought this one was kind of fun. A little on the bold side for me, but it's fun to be trendy sometimes. =)
I like the pattern...it went together easily and quickly. I made the size 6 and thought it was a good fit. The underarm seam sits high and close, but not so much that I can't wear it. I just have to be careful not to rip the seams when I pull it over my head (it's a pullover style). I did make a few changes...The neckline is very low...I raised it 3 inches just for some modesty, and I think it still looks good without being so revealing. The sleeve hems are finished with elastic. Yuck! I just gathered the bottom edge and sewed in to a 3/4" wide band instead. I like the band a lot better then the recommended elastic. Total cost: $3$1 for the pattern and $2 for cheap Walmart fabric. Thread, buttons, and elastic came from my stash.
Cheers!
Jessica
