Our new little family took a drive yesterday and did some errands. One of them was to pick up my macbook from the repair shop. One morning, Dakota and I were playing and had spilled water onto my keyboard. I let it dry out before I attempted to turn it on... It turned on for a second and then shut off and would not turn on anymore.
Anyway, now that I have my laptop back, and I sorta got a good handle on being a new mommy... I'm back!!
Coco's first birthday is coming and I wanted to do something special for her birthday outfit. I envisioned a boutique dress (w/apron), a matching ruffled bonnet, and a coordinating bag. Since becoming a SAHM, I've been inspired to save money where we can and tap in to my creative outlets: One of them being sewing.
So, my first step was to sketch my vision: a circle dress. Second, pick out coordinating fabrics. Let me tell you, I do obsess over projects-- and sometimes I bite off more than I can chew... And this time I certainly did. This is the second little dress I made for Coco, so I'm very new to sewing little dresses. For the first one I used a pattern. It was pretty straight forward. It didn't include ruffles, or any bias trim at the bottom, but it did include sleeves and a collar. The sleeves and collar didn't turn out so well, so this time I decided on spaghetti straps. Patterns freak me OUT! The more-than-I-can-chew part was deciding on a circle dress with trim, a 6-part circle instead of 2, and an apron. This circle action had me cutting on the bias... and then folding at a curved seam... This was the big bite... But I found a way around this circle, bias cut, curved seam madness. (See tutorial) And the last step was to get measurements of little Coco while she climbed all over the place. I also used dresses she fits into well to get measurements when she wasn't up for being measured.
To get a head start on things- I found the ruffle bonnet tutorial by
Lindsay, at The Cottage Home. I made the ruffles on the bonnet a tad bit longer to provide more shade for my Coco. For the little bag, I found the tutorial by
allpeoplequilt.com. This tut gives directions for 4 little tote bags, read closely and you'll be able to cut for only one tote. And---for the dress, I did numerous searches on how to do a circle dress. One pattern I found used a 2-part circle. I decided on a fuller bottom by using 6 instead. And I added trim to the bottom of the dress. Check back for my apron pattern...Still working on it.
I will be attaching a fabric flower and leaves I sewed together to the bag and to the apron. They are just sitting there beside my sewing machine waiting for their time :D I am a self-taught seamstress, so my sewing terminology is very basic if not incorrect :/ sowwy!! Here are some pictures of the dress fit for a 12-18 month old.
Materials for Boutique Circle Dress
2 yards turquoise floral quilting fabric
2 yards brown floral quilting fabric
2 yards green and white polka dot nursery fabric
2 yards white floral quilting fabric
1 yard yellow quilting fabric
(You will have fabric left over. These left over pieces will be used for your ruffle bonnet and bag.)
turquoise thread
white thread
scissors (of course :D )
seam ripper
pen
measuring tape
fabric chalk
your baby for precise measurements (optional)
and your trusty sewing machine
Links for:
Ruffle Bonnet Tutorial by The Cottage Mama
Small Tote Bag by Allpeoplequilt.com
My Pattern for the Front and Back Top
My Pattern for 12-18 mos. Apron
Let's get this ball on the road!
1. To make my circle pattern, I used an old bed sheet, measuring tape and pen. Position the tape to the center and measure 14.5 out. Begin to trace your 14.5" radius circle. Divide the circle in quarters as shown in green. You can mark this with a pen as well. Next, trace the inner circle the same way you traced the first circle. This circle will measure 2.5 inches out. Begin to trace your 2.5" radius circle. After you have your traces complete, cut out one quarter of the circle. This piece will be your guide for 6 pieces of your circle dress. This measurement already includes 1/4" seam.
2. To make my trim pattern, position the tape to the center and measure 17" out. Trace along the quarter section. With the tape still in position at the center, measure 14" out. This will give you a 3" wide trim for the bottom of your dress. This measurement already includes 1/2" seam. Your finished trim will measure 2 inches wide. If you want to have a wider trim our vice versa, this pattern is very flexible-measurements can be adjusted to your liking. Doesn't this diagram remind you of a watermelon slice? I didn't mean for it, hehe it just happened to be the colors I chose at whim.
3. Now cut your corresponding pieces on the bias. You will have 6 pieces for the circle and 6 pieces for the trim. Ideas are endless... You can use all the same color fabric for your circle dress, or you can mismatch etc. Here's where my MADNESS began. Only once did I sew the bottom of a bias cut dress. It was a chiffon type fabric and I just zigzagged the bottom as I stretched it out to create a ruffle. It would definitely look horrible with this dress and type of fabric. So, to press the curved seam- I used scrap fabric from the good ol' bed sheet. I quickly cut 6 pieces of trim from the bed sheet. (I could already hear my mom telling me what I was supposed to...what I shoulda done lol) Set those 6 bed sheet cuts aside.
4. Sew 2 groups of 3 fabrics for your circle. Sew 2 groups of 3 fabrics for your trim. Sew 1/4 seams.
I took the 3-piece trim (sewn together already) and I placed the turquoise trim right side down on to the scrap trim. I sewed at 1/2 seam both long sides. I turned the sewn piece inside out and pressed the seams down carefully and thoroughly. Once that was done, I took my seam ripper and undid the seams. There is probably a faster way of pressing the curved seams... Please let me know!!! I still got great results doing it this way, but a quicker way would be better. Once the seams were removed and the threads cleaned up, I folded the seams (refer to picture below). Then I did a close stitch at the bottom of the trim.
5. Sew the trim to the 3/4 circle by laying the trim on top of the right side of the 3/4 circle. I did a close stitch to the edge of the top of the trim. Do this for both 3/4 circles. This part was a little tricky. I had to rip the seams on the trim and re-measure in order to get the trim seams to align with the dress seams. Once you have completed this step, you are now ready to ruffle both 3/4 circles. Set your sewing machine to ruffle at 1/4 seam.
7. This will be your almost-finished product.
8. Take one 3/4 circle and ruffle evenly. For the front of the dress, the ruffle should measure 13.5 inches wide. For the back of the dress, the ruffle should measure 10.25 inches wide.
9. Now its time to print the pattern for the
top piece and sew! For the straps you will measure 2 pieces at 6" x 1.5". I cut my pieces extra long in case we wanted to make the dress straps longer to accommodate growth. I also did this for the waist. However, the measurements given will fit 12-18 months. Sew one piece right sides together 1/4" seam. Turn inside out and press thoroughly. Do this for your second piece.
10. To sew the straps to the front piece, follow picture below.
11. Attach the snaps to the back piece. You don't have to use snaps either... You can do the same steps from #10 for the back piece with straps and tie them at the shoulders.
12. Now your are ready to sew the front and back pieces to their corresponding 3/4 circles. Take the front top piece and front 3/4 circle and pin right sides together and sew 1/2" seams. Take the back top piece and back 3/4 circle and pin right sides together and sew 1/2" seams.
13. At last, take both completed pieces and align, beginning from the bottom of the dress. Sew 1/2 seams on both sides. Your dress is done!!!
