I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little proud of myself. This is my first attempt at sewing something besides a pillow case! Luckily, I came across the easiest pattern by Rae at Made by Rae. Her blog is one of those that I check each morning when I get up and have a running list of things I want to make from! For you with small gentlemen, she recently had a month of All things boy that I highly recommend you going over to look at. Of course, I'm having a girl instead! But I still got a lot of inspiration.
An easy pattern you print right off your computer..it looks like rabbit's ears! I added a 1/4 inch around just in case Madelyn/Natalie/Jenna Jr. comes out a heifer (literally because I drink gallons of milk every week or figuratively, which she might if I keep eating this way!)
I had to go back and cut out a lining since at first I opted out but since it ties at the top I want it to look finished and not as though you were just trying to scraps of fabric together. Next time I want to try a pretty print on the outside and a dots, stripes or solid fabric on the inside.
The gathering on the skirt is what I was most fearful of but it was really easy
I didn't have the called-for piping so I used some of my felt from my epic Joanns visit by doubling the length of the bodice bottom, sewing the two pieces together and folding them in half. Seemed to work just as well for me.
Gaaaaah. THIS was the bugger spot. I could not figure out if I was pinning on the skirt right-side out or wrong side. After studying Rae's pictures I figured something out and went with it. For you advanced sewers who have sewed a bodice to a gathered skirt before, this should be no problem. (This was the beginner sewer not the instructions!)
Headin' 'round the bend! I just love this fabric. I'm tempted to make her 5 more Itty Bitty dresses from it!
Finished dress before the buttons embellishment. Like I said, for the pattern and instructions, head over to Made by Rae. This dress is sized for preemie/newborn or 1-3 months old. I believe she also has instructions for a toddler-sized pattern. It is a VERY small dress (hence the title) but too cute not to try it out.*I went to Joanns again today (no, I did not have to flee the building this time but I did take a breather at the patterns table again) and cotton print was on sale 50% off! For a pattern like this that is only 1/2 a yard (3/4 yard including lining) you could fill a closet!
Such a cute outfit my cousin. :D I showed my roommate it and she adores it. She freaks out everytime we see a baby or baby clothes...or really baby anything. Haha. But I love it. Good job as a first sewing project other than pillow cases. Ha. Also, I think Madelyn is such a pretty name! I love it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty dress! Beware, sewing little girl dresses gets quite addicting. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I am very very impressed with your mad Skillz. Major props homegirl! :) (I wanted to sound hard core since your post was so sweet)! Seriously though, you did a fantastic job. I might have to have you make me some baby clothes (in 10 yrs when we have kids). I really do admire how great you are at all these things. You ahve inspired me today to add to my wedding registry list a sewing machine and then I too will learn to sew little baby clothes! :)
ReplyDeleteJ...your itty-bitty-baby dress turned out so cute. I love the pink buttons. You have done such an excellent job sewing a little dress for the very first time. Can't wait to see your baby girl wearing her itty-bitty-dress. Gonna be great!!!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow! Jenna that is so cute! I can't believe you actually made a little dress, and did so well on your first time trying it :) It looks great, and little madelyn/natalie/jenna jr (hahah) is going to look adorable in it. xoxoo alyson
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments everyone! If you make this or other projects I would love to see pictures. Nelsons, I'm afraid the addiction has already started! Shelby, I think Madelyn is our fore-runner name!
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