01 December 2010

B/W Christmas Dress One

Is it fair to say that this dress is my favorite out of all 5....4 of which I've yet to make?  It began with a pattern from Ottobre [yes!  I finally have my very own subscription!].  The purple dress is the one I used as my starting point.
You'll recognize the sleeves, but I changed everything else.  Divine's dress is made from a cotton with a bit of a stretch.  I don't recall where I purchased it, but I've had it sitting around for some time now, waiting for the perfect project, of course. I took out the gathered waist and just made an a-line silhouette.  There are no closures, as the neck is plenty big for easy in and out.
The hood began as an oversized collar that draped down the back.  Ryan suggested I just make it into a hood--so glad that man is here to throw ideas around with.  I took a basic hood pattern and altered it with a section in the front to go across the entire neckline, made it into three pieces instead of two, and added more fullness in the back. Get this.  It's made from a stretch. pleated. satin.  The most voluptuous fabric I have worked with [the kind you want to bathe in].  It was just as difficult as it was beautiful.  In fact my sewing machine almost refused to recognize it as fabric.  I had to basically feed it through the foot myself and there were one-inch gaps where it was not sewn [stubborn machine, though normally so easy-going].  DIFF! IH! CULT! Butohsobeautiful.  I lined it with a black sheer.
Did you recognize the mini-Girdy Belt?!  I took an inch off the thickness of the belt and the top piece so it is just 2" finished instead of 3" for an adult.  I did learn something making it: all pleather is not created equal.  This was half the price of other faux-leather I've purchase and it was not cooperative at all.  It was almost stretchy and contorted instead of staying still.  I almost scrapped the belt, but it did conform a bit more once it was wrapped around Divine's waist.  It might be useful to have a more fluid faux-leather in a different project, but the belt needs a very solid, thick piece of fabric.
A side note: little girl's full-length slips are not so easy to find.  I finally found a cheap one at Burlington.  Cheap in price and quality--I fully expected Divine to complain that it was too itchy and hurt, but she didn't.  Still on the lookout for a soft, silky one.  Any suggestions?
Divine was completely in love with the outfit.  She kept repeating, "cool!"

I couldn't decide if I like the belt with the bow in the front or the back.  I'll leave it up to Divine how she wants to wear it.
Did you know they still make crimpers?  That might have been Divine's favorite part ;)
one down.

34 comments:

  1. Amazing! I can't believe you have one down already! I have two to do and need to get to it quickly--can't imagine having five under the gun. This is a gorgeous dress. I have hunted for full slips too. Hannah Andersson has a beuatiful one with stretch at the top and cotton eyelet at the bottom, but that doesn't work for everything. I haven't had much luck with the full silky kind but did finally buy the HA and LOVE it!

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  2. I tell you, those girls are lucky to have their very own seamstress! I love it Katy. I would keep saying cool, too.

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  3. I'm just oohing and ahhing over the photos. I'm sure Divine feels like a million dollars.

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  4. Your skillz are amazing---sewing and photography. Thanks for sharing with us all!

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  5. Strassburg Children is the best place I've found for slips. But I'm picky about quality and wanting the slip to fit the dress, so I usually just make a slip to go with special dresses. You take the dress shape, leave off sleeves, make the neck hole a little larger so it won't peek out, and make sure there is some way to get it on whether that is a button on a strap or a little keyhole opening in the back or whatever. Sometimes they will work to just slip over the head depending on how your child and slip are built. The other thing I've done is to take a camisole and attach a gathered skirt if it is a slip where fullness is needed. That is super quick and easy. And my favorite slip fabric is usually Imperial Batiste which is a poly-cotton batiste, good quality, and super affordable. Good luck with the rest of those dresses! I have two to make, but I'm smocking one of them and I don't know if I'm going to make the deadline because I'm making pageant costumes too!

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  6. Thanks to you I have my very own Ottobre subscription. Thank you. Oh and I totally agree. The dress really is cool.

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  7. Anneliese and Samantha-thanks for the slip ideas and sources. Samantha, I love smocking, but haven't done it since Divine was a baby. Good luck!

    Ginny-Have you made anything, yet? Glad you're enjoying it!

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  8. Oh My Word... gorgeous, Katy. Will you make one for Abby? :-P

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  9. I take that back--I did some smocking on a dress a few years ago.

    Jenny-If you'll do the hood! ;o

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  10. This is Beautiful Katy, can't wait to see the other 4 :),,,and we have been looking for a crimper, where did you find yours?

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  11. I agree, very cool. I think it's fab that you're making dresses that are comfortable to wear as well as look great. I feel for all those little kids swaddled up in tight scratchy organza or itchy lace...

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  12. seriously an amazing dress! I know I love it when I want one for myself, and would have to fight the impulse to make it for my child instead...lol

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  13. I love the sleeves and the belt turned out so cute. I found tradtional slips at an online store catering to amish/plain dress/christian modesty customers or Rosy Bear but they aren't cheap.

    Heather

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  14. I totally agree. What a cool outfit. I wish my mom could sew like you.

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  15. This dress is amazing! I wish I had your talent. :)

    I've been crimping my little girls hair lately too. I love me some crimped hair...makes the outfit that much better. :)

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  16. The blanket she is laying on is a perfect touch for the pictures. The dress turned out great! I am a sucker for anything with a hoody

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  17. What an awesome mama you are!

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  18. i love it.

    of all the womanly skills i lack, this is the one that pains me most: i will never be a seamstress like you.

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  19. Absolutely gorgeous! I love the mini Girdy Belt. :) Where did you get that delicious fluffy background in the latter pictures?

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  20. such great photos ! is that ruffle fabric behind her & what she's laying on? you must have bought yards & yards of it :)

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  21. Oh my goodness. I am behind on your blogs. Love every one. Divine's dress..well, speechless here!

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  22. not sure if it would help with the fabric used on the hood...
    In my sewing classes in college we used quilters interface, the kind that disintegrates when washed. Only you use it on the outside under the seam you are sewing so it touches the feeders (I am sure there is a better word for these, but right now my brain doesn't work). After you are done sewing the seam you can carefully rip it off. On some ultra silks we sandwiched the fabric in between the interfacing.

    gorgeous dress, can't wait to see the others

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  23. I agree with Divine-
    COOOO-UHL!

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  24. Cut some strips of tissue paper about 1" wide. Run them along the stitching lines on the stretchy fabric. Pin it right in. (Tissue on both sides will give you the best results, even though it's a PITB). Stitch on the normal places, tissue and all. When you're one and pucker-free, just tear off the tissue. Cheaper than fancy schmancy tear-away stuff and works just as well. I've done it many times. :)

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  25. I love everything you do. I wish I had 1/4 of the talent you have. I bought some really nice slips with the adjustable straps, they are very soft. They may be made out of tricot, but they weren't very expensive, let than $20.00. The adjustable straps are awesome, they really add life to them. I bought them at a little store in the town Im from in Utah. I would be MORE than happy to pick some up for you. Please, just let me know, I love your blog... and I would love to do this for you. Thanks for the great read! Michelle
    My email address is michelle_buege@hotmail.com

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  26. That is just gorgeous. Wow.

    And I had to laugh about the crimper, cause I remember doing that to my hair a lot! I bet my girls would love it - gotta get one!

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  27. Lovely, LOVELY photos. And I like the crimped hair too :)

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  28. Holy crap, this is the most gorgeous dress!!! I'm sure your little girl was ecstatic. (she is beautiful, btw). I love the fascinator in her hair too! And your photos are gorgeous as well. Very impressive. :)

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  29. Not that you NEED another sewing project, but Youcanmakethis.com has a couple very nice full length slip patterns, as well as full length night gown patterns.

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  30. Amazing! I love the hood especially.

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  31. the photos the photos, is it ok if i think i love your photos more than the dress? i can't get enough of the effect on the birds-eye/laying-on-blanket shots. STUNNING.

    and what a reward that she thinks it just as cool. crimper too.

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  32. that last photo of Divine is truly divine! Thanks for sharing

    http://LeeyaEngel.blogspot.com

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