New Dress for Eliza

So it's been a while since I have made Eliza some new clothes!  She is in desperate need of church dresses and last week I worked on this one for her.  People tell me all the time that I am far to open in my mistakes, but I think hearing from other people that they know they aren't perfect is healthy.  Well, sit right back and you'll hear a tale..

It started with the neckline.  I know that they make elastic guider tools, but I take the Alton Brown approach to that and think they are way too uni-tasker.  I prefer to use plain old safety pins.  Well, my trusty pin that works every time (I've probably done this neckline 200 times without a hitch) was missing.  I settled for a cheaper safety pin..oh nightmare.  It kept coming un-clasped and poking through the fabric, I would feed it back and feel around in the mess of needle, elastic and fabric and put the whole thing back together, only to move forward an inch and have it all come undone again.  If I'm not painting a good picture here, don't worry, you're not missing out on much.  ;)  Basically-bunching the neckline took me 2 hours.

Ok, moving on.  I love using vintage table runners and such for aprons on little girls dresses.  For this particular dress, I layered it with some vintage cotton that I got a little carried away in ironing and burned.  Start over on that.  Ok, finally a layered apron with no burn spots, check.

I attatched the whole thing and somehow sewed the apron on crooked!  I mean, really crooked.  So fix, fix, fix.  In my happy fixing, I poke a big hole in the skirt.  Ugh.  Patch, patch, patch.  Ok, I've fixed the hole.  Only to discover that I actually patched the hole to the other side of the skirt.  Start over on that.

Then it was time to sew the sash to the dress.  The sash went on all bunched and crooked!  Now, this is really easy to do, but I haven't done it in a long time.  Pick, Pick, Pick.  Ahhhh..It was worth it.

She loves her dress.  :)  And now you all know (in case you had any doubts) that I am not perfect.  Oh, and I still haven't shown Ethan's birthday cake, that settle any debates!  Oh how I planned that thing out..

I know I have a couple tags on my plate and was planning on doing them today, but I think I've yakked enough for now, I'll work on them this week girls!

Comments

[Helena B]

I thought I was the only one who made those mistakes in sewing! Two words - Seam Ripper, gal's best friend - that is until you stab yourself with it!

[Mama Urchin]

You're so funny and the dress is so cute. I saw some vintage table runners recently and thought of you.

[Stephanie]

Mistakes or not, that dress is adorable and Eliza's cuteness makes up for any little sewing errors!

[Mary]

Sandi, thanks for sharing the dress -- missteps and all. Makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who does stuff like that! And the dress is sooooo pretty! I never would have known the little challenges along the way.

[Jennalou]

aww... it turned out so cute despite all your troubles! I've had a few days/projects like this... it's one trip after another.

The important thing is that you stuck in there and have such a beautiful dress to show for ALL that hard work.

You're such an inspiration!

[Kate]

Ditto! We should all join the "hail to the seam ripper club." Isn't it crazy who some projects just do that ... every other step or so your having to fix something. Half of you wants to send the project flying out the window and the other wants to prove that you really are smart and really can do it!

The dress looks amazing, Eliza couldn't be cuter and the story behind the dress only adds to it's charm!

[Laurie]

Totally cute!!! Can't believe how your little girl (and mine, too) are growing up so quickly! Darling dress!!!! Your safety pin job sounds like mine! I need a new method, I know, but I am stuck on old tricks. I made a cute dress last week, too....I'll post it soon! :) Great work, Sandi!!!! Yay!!!

[Helena]

Sandi, you have me laughing! I've made dresses like that, that were just one mistake after another! But, it was worth it. That dress came out lovely, and your little sweetie looks absolutely beautiful!!

[Hopscotch Design]

My husband laughs at me when I do something like that... says, "It's not a project until you are ripping something out!" LOL Oh well! It is the end-product that matters... and it is lovely! :) Holly

[mom2fur]

Oh, my gosh, that is too cute. I love the idea of using a table runner for an apron! Now I'll have to keep my eyes open for them.
I use safety pins, too, for pulling elastic through. I have those bodkin-y things, but either they are the wrong size or I keep losing them. Safety pins seem to be in good supply, LOL!
I'm a big Alton Brown fan, myself!

[Lisa]

This is beautiful. Love the HB fabric.

[mavis]

yes, patching things to the other side of the outfit. you sigh with satisfaction as you pull it out of the sewing machine and then make the fated discovery, "agh, die! die!".

have you ever made dress-up clothes? when i have girls i think it would be fun to make them real princess dresses, more like queen elizabeth dresses. not the, "i'm part hooligan, stripper, ballerina" outfits you pick up from toy's-r-us. i've just never seen a real ball dress for little girls so i figured i had better learn and make one. if you ever see anything fabulous... and where did you find that snazzy material?

[Tanya Whelan]

Gorgeous dress and even more beautiful child! congrats on all you wonderful creations Sandy...

[kari and kijsa]

That is one of the cutest dresses we have ever seen. Do you have a website? Seriously, mixing the apron....FABULOUS!

blessings, kari and kijsa

[sheree (sheree's alchemy)]

The dress is darling! Great fall colors.

[Becky]

Well, you'd never be able to tell!! Very pretty!

[Emily]

Oh that is one of my fav fabrics, the green freshcut :) What I do if I lose my trusty safety pin is I take a pin and stretch it out so the pressure when closed is alot stronger ;) It helps!!! Good luck on the next one!

[Erinda]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress!! I am inspired to somehow turn my vintage finds into a gorgeous apron dress, If only I new where to start ;0) ahhhhh...maybe someday before my lil' girl is too big. Being new to sewing I have found my seam ripper to also be my new bff. Thank you for sharing!

~Erlinda

[Mandy]

Ahh yes, I think we've all had days like this. When it rains it pours, doesn't it:)
Well worth it though, it turned out fabulous.
Mandy

[Sandi Henderson]

LOL! I love the description of the cheap-o dress up outfits. The skirt fabric is from Heather Bailey's Freshcut line, the mustard sleeves are from Amy Butler's Lotus and the babywhale cord from the bodice is from..ahem..Joannes. ;)

Sandi

[Margie]

what a beautiful dress it makes that dear little girl sparkle... the best days of your lives,happy days margie

[jessica]

You are so darn talented- beautiful dress!

[Jennifer]

It was well worth the effort--just look at how pleased she looks with herself!

Thank you for sharing your story--that's me, in a nutshell!

[Lisa]

oh my what a labor of love. The dress is so gorgeous though!

[patty]

Ooooh! Adorable dress, Sandi! I'm so glad you still find time to make pretty things for the kids! :) Eliza looks like she's having a blast in those pictures! But, man... isn't that safety pin thing annoying?!? I cannot tell ya how many times that has happened to me! Oh, and by the way, I think I do EVERYTHING the old fashioned way! LOL!