Finishes

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Making Dresses

This week, I have been doing something
I haven't done in years.
When my daughters were little,
I made almost all of their clothes.
The only things I didn't make were undergarments, jeans
and other pants with zippers.
I would go into quilt shops to buy the fabric
for their dresses and other outfits,
because they had the best selection of cotton fabrics.

Then came the day that they didn't want to wear what mom made anymore.
So, all of the patterns and piping and buttons and trims
were packed up and have been in boxes for years.

Until the other day!
My sister has a granddaughter who is almost a year old
and I was getting the itch to make something other than a quilt for her.
I looked through my stash and found some fun fabrics to use.

Dress #1



This pattern was a good one to begin with
and try and knock the rust off of my garment sewing.


Dress #2




Same pattern, but I added some piping to the bottom of this one.


Next, I found several unfinished things that I smocked years ago.
(I did a LOT of smocking back then!)
The patterns weren't with the fabric pieces anymore,
but I thought I could figure out how to finish them.


Dress #3



I can't tell you how many times I used this pattern
when my girls were little.
It came back quickly as to how to sew it together
with the lining.



I had to be reintroduced to my buttonhole maker for these dresses!
It took a bit of practice and the buttonholes were made.



This dress might be too small.
There wasn't a pattern with this one, either,
but I just had to finish it.
Hopefully it will fit the little one.

While I wasn't doing any quilting this week,
I was playing with fabric.
Making these little dresses doesn't make me want to give up
quilting for garment sewing, but it was fun to work on these
for a few days.

I'm linking to Whoop Whoop (sidebar)
and TGIFF today.


Happy Creating!




12 comments:

  1. I love that smocking - I used to make simple clothes for my girls in the years before quilting but I never did smocking.

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  2. I love my boys and I sewed for both when they were little, but really wanted a girl to smock for.

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  3. The dresses are adorable, especially the smocked ones. Great job! I made a lot of clothes for my girls when they were little too. And for myself. But the last garment I made was a graduation dress for my oldest daughter who graduated from HS 19 years ago.

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  4. OMGosh, Ramona. Those dresses are precious. You obviously found that oil applicator to remove the rust! The smocking is just beautiful and I am so happy that you were able to include it into your sewing. What pattern is that one with the button back? I love it.

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  5. Sigh I miss sewing for a little girl those are so precious

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  6. A. DOR. A. BLE!!!! Love these! Well done.

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  7. The dresses are adorable! The smocking is wonderful and what great finishes. I made lots and lots of clothes for my girls too and even little button up shirts for my son. I even made prom/Jr. Miss dresses for one daughter as she couldn't find what she liked. Great job.

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  8. Seems like the rust came off pretty easily-what darling dresses! The smocked ones totally impressed me! I used to garment sew for my kids when they were little too. Remember the Zuba pants! At least I think that was what they were called-it's been a while!

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  9. Those are absolutely adorable!!! what a cute kid that will be!! ( or well dressed - but you knew what I meant right?)

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  10. Holy smokes -- those dresses are fantastic! They look like they came straight out of a high-end children's boutique. I'm impressed! Thanks for linking up with TGIFF.

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  11. Sew Fun! I am also an English Smocker. It has been so many years since I made any clothing for little ones too but I have a niece expecting a little girl in May so I have been looking at my old patterns. I have a couple of floral pieces I have held onto for little dresses. Loved getting to see your fabulous dresses!

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  12. Those dresses are darling! I'm hoping for a granddaughter soon so I can sew cute outfits and doll clothes.

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