Chic Pleated Dress

I had so much fun working with this one!!

I love pleats.. so I wanted to make my daughter a pleated dress..

I've also been dying to use that fabric my mom found me at goodwill for $5 for the entire bolt!!!

I thought this dress would take forever.. but I was able to do it in about 4 hours.. with interruptions!

Here's what you'll need:

about 3 yards of fabric

scissors

sewing machine

serger

pins

claw clasps

iron

(Sorry ahead of time.. I didn't take pictures of every step but I'll explain as best as I can)

First: get your bodice pattern.. this is my favorite tank bodice pattern! It's so easy and the fit is good!

(if you can't read the picture.. it's called the party dress and you can find it here www.thecottagehome.blogspot.com

Cut out your bodice pieces.. two on fold with front

and four with back..

These should be your pieces (mine are on top of each other)

Next sew your front bodice pieces together with right sides facing..

don't sew the bottom hem leave it open cause you'll have to turn it inside out

This makes the edges clean and you'll have the pattern then facing out and touching the skin..

Do the exact same with each side of the back pieces..

After you flip inside out then iron flat to make piecing together easier.

Next sew tank straps together with serger

Then do your sides

 This is what you should have to far!!

Next cut out your skirt end.. I did my bottom hem on a fold (so then you don't have to hem)

cut it about 4 times the size of the waist..

then measure the length you want it...

Then start pleating

just keep adjusting the pleats until it matches up with the waist of the bodice

then with right sides together

Sew bodice and skirt together

then sew up back until it will fit over the head of the child..  and then hand sew a latch to the back..

Wah lah all done!

You could add a sash too if you like!





Christmas Jammies!

So... A lot has gone on since last I've been on! I had my baby boy!! We had him October 26th at 9:15am! He was 7lbs 15 oz. and perfect!!  Since his birth I haven't had much time for sewing!! I was able though to finish my kids Christmas Jammies just in time for their pictures!! Here they are and the pictures are amazing!! Thanks to Nikki Hilgart.. You can check out her website here: Nikki's Portraits or her facebook page here: Nikki's Portraits Facebook Page

 Made Lexie's nightgown and Alex and Zane's pants..

Then fabric painted Alex and Zane's shirts..

Then made Lexie's headband...

Also made her headband here...

And her tutu and headband here:



Corset Hair Tutorial!!

Hey guys!! I've had some questions on how I do my daughter's hair corset style.. So I thought I'd make a tutorial to explain it!!

It's super easy and super cute!!

What you'll need?

comb

rubber bands

ribbon

and crafting needle

Ok so first wet/comb/part and braid your daughters hair into two side french braids..

Don't go all the down

Then take your crafting needle..

you can find it at any craft store for like 1.50

Thread your ribbon through it and then slip the needle under the first loop of your braid on one side

Then thread it through the other side braid at the top

Next (like a shoelace) make sure that each ribbon side is equal length and then zig zag cross it through the braid loops till you get to the end

Next step..

bring the pony tails together with rubber band and do a Topsy turvey flip..

then tie ribbon together in center!!



My TinkerBell and Peter Pan!

I know it's been forever since I've blogged! I miss it terribly!! I haven't been blogging cause I haven't been sewing.. :( I'm over 38 weeks pregnant and I've been putting most of my concentration into getting this baby out and getting my house in order!! I can not wait!! I'm so impatient it's not funny!! lol!! Well after, having failed attempts at self inducing I thought I should get back to sewing to get my mind off of it!! lol!! Also I knew I should try to get my kids Halloween costumes done before the baby arrived!! So I finally finished them today and I think they turned out great!!! Here they are!!