Muumuu take 2...

So I said I'd tell you how I made the little muumuu. I found some cute fabric and I was happy to do so, except for the fact that I really feel silly doing a tutorial since I'm such a novice and I don't really know what I'm doing....With that said, here it is!

To make the pattern, I laid out the dress folded vertically and traced a simple outline.

I also pulled the elasticized straps taut and traced them. The pattern pieces are to be cut on the fold.

I pinned the pattern to the fabric, traced with a fabric pen and cut.

I hemmed the top edge of the dress.

This time I made a fabric ruffle instead of lace. I cut 2 strips of fabric that are 1 1/2 times as long as the width of the bottom of the dress (they ended up about 6" x 36")

I folded the long strips of fabric for the bottom ruffle in half lengthwise, then basted them (using the longest straight stitch on my machine) about 1/4" from the cut edge.

I pulled the string to ruche the fabric and create the ruffle. When it was ruched to the width of the dress, I pinned it to the bottom edge of the dress.

Then I sewed a binding stitch over the top of the basted stitch on the ruffle. I turned the ruffle down and pressed it. Next I pinned the two sides of the dress right sides together and sewed down the length of the sides to join them.

This time I decided to line the strap. I cut out four pieces from the strap pattern, 2 of each fabric. Then I pinned them right sides together and sewed along the two long edges.

I turned the fabric right-side-out and pressed the shoulder straps.

I pinned the straps on and attached them with the binding stitch, then pressed the rest of the hem over and stitched along the armhole edge.


Now the dress is totally assembled. Next comes the best part...elasticizing!! I love this part because the dress really comes together as you're sewing the elastic thread in. If you haven't used elastic thread, it's super simple. You just wind it into your bobbin by hand, and thread your machine with regular thread that will show on the top of the fabric. The elastic will be on the underside.

You can probably see the fabric pen still on the dress here. I drew a line to guide me, then I sewed all the way around the front, the strap, the back, and the other strap in a complete circle. I did this complete circle 3 times, I may do more after I try it on J. I wanted to post the simple pattern here as well, but my sweet B is alseep next to my scanner so I'll have to get to that tomorrow. I love making this dress and I think I'll just keep on making them!

Princess J

The girl loves her dress. She kept asking me if it was a costume. I think she's not sure what this fancy dress is for. Every girl should have a fancy dress-up though, right?
For Siddy: I used this Simplicity pattern and omitted the awful tulle detail and flowers...

Before the stroke of midnight...

Keeping VERY true to form, this dress is hot off the press. I just finished and maybe I should give myself a pat on the back for leaving 15 minutes to spare? Anyway, I am really happy to have this blog breathing down my neck to finish things! I have realized this last week that my biggest problem is time management. I've found myself surfing the net less, and getting to the things I really want to do more. If that's all I get from this I'd be happy. But there's more! Although I didn't really follow the pattern to the end, I learned a lot from it. I sewed in a zipper! Wow. It is most definitely not perfect, but it's done. Done, done, done. And it feels good. Although a closer look reveals a lot of flaws, I was able to fight the paralyzing voice of perfectionism in my head that tells me to quit a thousand times along the way when little mistakes are made...and that's a big victory for me. I can't wait to see the look on her face when the little princess sees it in the morning...I'll post some pics of my little model in it.
PS: Since you asked, in the next day or two I'll also post the pattern/tutorial on the little muumuu. Thanks for all your encouraging words!

Muumuu Monday

My little one recently discovered the tiny muumuu that I wore when I went to Hawaii for the first time. She LOVES it because the elastic thread makes it easy for her to get in and out of it by herself, and since she changes 500 times every day, this is very important. The design is perfect for night gowns or beach coverups, and I plan on making many more little replicas. It was super easy and quick, and she now has two little muumuus...


Truthfully, I didn't challenge myself too much this week. This was so simple, and I find it easier to make my own patterns than to follow one. I really want to know how to sew from patterns, so the project I'm working on posting for next week is from a pattern. A really hilarious toddler-pageant-esque gown that my 3-year-old picked out. Stay tuned...

A milestone and a new beginning...

Today I turn 30. I am happy with who I am, I am happy with where I am. My twenties gave me a husband who I am madly in love with and two beautiful baby girls who I love so much my heart might just burst. I couldn't have asked for more from the last decade and I have nothing but high hopes and expectations for the next.
So what's this blog about? It's about a few things I want for myself that I haven't quite been able able to get a handle on thus far. I want patience, I want more stick-to-it-ness, and I want sweet skills. I am a creative person, and by that I mean I love to create. I have a need to be creative that festers inside me and makes me crazy if I don't get to it. I often find my brain rambling and rolling around creative ideas, but most of these ideas never make it to fruition. I lack organization, focus, and the patience to finish things. This blog is my answer to jumpstart this decade and gain these skills! I will be working on one project a week. I'll share what I learned and where I got the idea, or if it's my own idea I'll share how I did it. I work best under pressure, so I'm hoping concrete deadlines, a few visitors and some watching eyes will provide the pressure (and encouragement!) I need to stay focused and on track.
Make no mistake, this is not a blog by a girl who knows a lot, but by one who wants to know a lot! I'm expecting lots of growth by way of failures and hopefully some little victories too...I hope you'll join me as I spend this next year on my 52 Project Pickup....