07 September 2009

Sewing Project 3






There was no pattern used on this project.  I just began cutting and sewing and cutting and sewing.  I took my own challenge and tried something new.  I've never used elasticized thread before.  I went to the fabric store and stared it down.  It stared right back, daring me to give it a try.  I accepted and put not one, but two spools in my basket.  With two at my beck and call, I had less of a fear of going forward.  If it didn't work out with one, I knew there was another waiting.  I didn't get to the second.

What I did:  With the elasticized thread in the bobbin, I sewed the entire width of the fabric, every 3/8", about 15 rows (the length will depend on the size of the child).  I finished the top by folding it under 1/4" twice.  I did the same thing to the sleeves, but sewed just 4 rows on the end of each sleeve.  I gathered the top of the sleeve with regular thread (as you don't want this part stretchy) and sewed a piece of the wide wale corduroy I used in my last project (I cut a strip of 5 wales, folding under the two sides) over my gathering stitches.  To attach the sleeves, I just had Pearl try it on and adjusted them where I thought they looked the best.

Am I the only one having fun, or is there anyone who has accepted the challenge to sew something this month? 

12 comments:

  1. I just can't believe you sew things that fast. Cute dress!

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  2. Katy,
    I can't believe it. You are so awesome. These dresses are fantastic! If you ever come back to Provo, can I take lessons from you?
    And Pearl is gorgeous!

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  3. I dreamed of sewing in my sleep. Does that count?

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  4. Sewing is FUN!!! this is a beautiful dress!!! I will be sewing something this month but it will be something a little easier to do than this project as I am just learning to sew :):) love all your projects though, they give me cute ideas :):)

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  5. That is fantastic! No pattern? I am telling you, I can't wait to follow you around Dongdaemun. I love the orange lifeguard station in the first photo. Pearl and green are meant to be!

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  6. I love smocking! I'm amazed that you smocked the dress w/o a smocking machine. You have the patient & perseverance I can only wish for. I love the dress; orance & greens are my faves!

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  7. This dress goes perfectly with Pearl's beautiful red hair...what a pretty child and cute, cute dress!

    I will be sewing a pair of cowboy chaps and a vest for my eldest son's Halloween costume. And my other two boys will be wearing costumes that I sewed in former Septembers. So, how's that?

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  8. Oh I love this dress. It looks wonderful on Pearle. Lucky Pearl to have such a pretty dress and such a talented mother.

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  9. Katy, I am loving all your sewing projects, and I am accepting your challenge to sew something this month. Unfortunately, since I've been in law school for three years, I haven't don't much sewing in recent years, so I'm going to ease back in by doing some mending, and then I'm going to make Christmas stockings for my new family. Thanks for the challenge.

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  10. I am *completely* in love with this dress!! I love the fabric choices/combinations! The little bit of orange on the green...LOVE IT. Amazing. (And a great use of scraps!!)
    How was the experience of using the elasticized bobbin? I've tried it before...and the sewing machine and the elastic bobbin and I were all in a huge-mongus fight. It was not a pretty sight! Any tips? Tricks? Interesting insight?

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  11. Do you remember how wide you cut the fabric for the sleeves? This dress is adorable and I would love to make 2 for my little ones. Thanks!

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  12. I, too, would love a short tutorial on the sleeves for this dress. I just stumbled upon this post while browsing your blog and am in love. However, as a beginner, I've not yet sewed anything with sleeves for my daughter yet. I would love to see some instructions regarding how to attach them to the dress.

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