Since Derek’s going to be gone for five days, I decided that we’re going to have all our meals outside this week so I can spread out all my sewing stuff on the kitchen table and sew, sew, sew.
My first attempts happened over naptime Sunday afternoon. I’ve been wanting to do a pillowcase dress for ages, and since Nona conveniently was getting rid of a bunch of double sheet sets last month, I pinched all the matching pillowcases with the intention of making matching dresses for the girls!
Attempt one was with elastic, using the binding as ties. The pattern I used was for a 3T, so I lengthened it a bit for Elizabeth and guessed for Susie. The smaller one ended up way shorter, but it’s still pretty cute with some little white bloomers.
I learned my lesson with the pink ones, so I adjusted the patterns and tried gathering the second batch with the ribbon I was using to tie. I think I like the neckline better on these. You can really tell with the purple ones how much less gather there is at the bottom of Elizabeth’s dress. If I were using fabric instead of being limited to the hemwidth of a pillowcase, I would make the bottom of hers a bit wider just so that she could have a bit more flare.
There you go–four dresses finished in three hours! Stay tuned for more sewing projects!
Oh, oh, oh!!!!!! All four turned out beautifully!! They are the PERFECT dresses for summer–light, feminine and comfortable! Love how they match! I’ve never tried the gathering with ribbon, but I agree with you that it looks better. You’ve inspired me to whip one up for Evangeline!
One bit to add to these dresses: they were embroidered (is that the word?) by Nona’s mother. So, these girls are wearing clothes ornamented by their great-great-grandmother. No guarantee they were sewed in the Old Country, but a really neat historical link.
I think it’s actually crocheting.
Gorgeous and inspiring (and such cute models too 🙂
How lovely to be able to say that you’ll have all your meals al fresco. We are finally to that stage here in the Mid-lands as well!
Ohhh – they turned out really cute! The girls look adorable in them. Can you forward me the pics so I can share them with Nona! Hope you have a good week with the kiddies!!!