Sundress Series-Pintuck Ruffled Maxi Dress

I am so proud and excited to be a part of Melly Sews Sundress Series.

30 days of sundresses and there were SO MANY fantastic ideas this year I can't believe I am included in this amazing group of women.

I had so many ideas flowing when I first received the invitation. I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go. Remember last year?  My tied in a bow maxi for my expecting days. Was that only last summer? WOW it feels like so long ago.

Keeping with tradition I choose to share another maxi dress this year, but this time it is for my little Lizzy bug. I actually based my dress off of Violette Field Threads ginger dress pattern. Who doesn't love a pattern remix? I love their patterns and the ginger top/dress is one of my favorites. But of course, I added my own little twist just to make it one of a kind. Elizabeth is in love with long dresses so this was an easy choice.

I actually found the fabric for the dress in my mother-in-laws fabric stash. A good size piece in fact. (Sorry I don't have the exact measurements of the piece.) I started with the skirt portion. My daughter is 38" tall. You will have to adjust to fit your model. My skirt pieces were 36" long and 29" wide. (2 pieces). I laid the pieces out on a flat surface and started the pintuck pleats. 7 inches from the top I created 6 pleats each measuring 2" wide.

The best way I have found is to measure, pin in place, iron down, flip the flap up, sew along the ironed line, flip the flap back down and press flat.  

Repeat for all 6 pleats on the front and 6 more for the back.

Then I created the top. I followed the instructions except I added a placket to the front with ric rac peaking out the sides. Fold a piece of fabric in half measuring 4 inches wide and the length of your top piece. With RST sew the placket together. Then flip right side out and iron flat with seam on the middle backside.

 Place the placket in the center of the top. Adjust your ric rac to the outsides.

 Pin well. Topstitch along the placket making sure to catch the ric rac.

 Add the buttons.

The placket is stitched to the front of the top before I added the lining piece. I also added ric rac to the collar pieces.

I followed the instructions for the remainder of the dress, just make sure to match up your pleats for the front and back of the skirt so that they are even all around the dress. The only other adjustment I made was adding length to the straps. I made the straps 2x as long for a nice full bow in the back.

This dress turned out better than I had hoped for. I love the pleats, it gives the dress a lot more body and flow. And the print and colors are perfect for a season of teals, turquoise, and mint. Of course little Lizzy loves her new LONG DRESS too. I can't stop her from twirling in it.

Thanks again to Melissa from Melly Sews and all the other Sundress contributors. I sure have added a lot of sundresses on my to make list.

Sunglasses Skirt

It's kids clothes week Spring Challenge this week and I am really behind.

I planned on making a new piece of clothing every day. It is already day 3 and only one piece has been made. I think I will be lucky to get anything made this week. For some reason baby Christian has gone from low maintance loveable baby boy to "I have to be held all day or I am going to throw a tantrum." Still hoping this is just a phase. I really thought sitting up would open his eyes to a whole new world but it seems to just make him frustrated that he can't be running around like the other kiddos.

Anyways, that has really cut into my sewing time. Plus I am getting ready to go on a Caribbean cruise next week and having to make some fun cruise clothing and alterations. I am sewing, just not kids clothes.

I did however find some time to make a fun spring skirt for Liz. It is a basic gathered skirt (tutorial here) but I added 2 inch elastic to give it a more high waisted effect. I also added a weaved ribbon through the bottom. This is simple, all you have to do is create button holes about 1/2" apart and then another pair of holes about 6" apart all around the skirt. It is a fun addition to a basic skirt.

 

 

 

 

 

 I threw in a few pictures that are just for fun.

I love the colors: mint, pink, grey, and light blue. It reminds me a little of Easter eggs.  There are sunglasses all over the skirt which is a great summer print. Are you working on anything for KCW? Hopefully I will get something else finished by the time the week is through.

Basic Skirt Tutorial

Summer is coming and with the temperature rising my daughter is in need of some easy skirts to stay cool. A basic elastic waist skirt is the perfect solution and so quick to make. You can make it for any girl 12 months to adult for just about 1 yard of fabric. I wanted to make a really fluffy skirt so mine is much fuller than needed.

Here are the instructions:

-1 yard fabric (44" wide)
-1 inch elastic
-matching thread

1. Cut two panels of fabric on the fold for a total measurement of 44" long each. Here is a quick width chart:

• 12 months: 10"

• 2T: 11"
• 3T: 12"
• 4T: 13"
• 5T: 14:

Then it tapers off. Measure your model for the exact length adding 1 inch for the hem.  (For an adult I would cut the skirt 22" wide).

Cut your elastic to the width of the waist.

• 12 months: 17" long
• 2T: 18" long
• 3T: 20" long
• 4T: 22" long
• 5T: 24"long

and so on

Cut a third panel 4" wide x 44" long. (waist panel) Fold in half WST and press. Open panel and press one side of the waist band 1/4" towards the middle WST.

2. The two larger panels together at one of the side seams RST.

Press the seam open. Sew a gather stitch along the top of the panels leaving the threads long for gathering. Then sew a second gather stitch right next to the first stitch.

 Pull the threads and gather the fabric to match the length of the smaller waist panel.

3. Open the waist band paenl and with RST pin the skirt panel to the waist band panel (make sure the pattern is the correct direction if that is an issue). Sew the gathered panel to the waist band using a 1/4" seam. Open and press.

4. Flip the waist band panel over the raw edge of the skirt panels on the fold. This will make a casing for your elastic. Make sure that your 1/4" fold is still folded. Pin in place and top stitch to your skirt.

 

 
5. Thread your elastic through the casing securing at each end, I use a safety pin for this part. With RST match the sides of the skirt and pin in place all the way through the waist band. Sew together starting at the bottom and back stitch at the waist band.

6. Turn the bottom of your skirt under 1/4" inch, press, then turn another 1/4", press. Top stitch in place.

Now you are done. You can add embellishments to the bottom or pockets to the front. I added small poms to the bottom of this skirt.

*if you don't want such a full look you can reduce the length of your panels.