Lemon Meringue Knot Dresses for Sisters

I love lemons! I've seen this pretty Alexander Henry fabric a time or two and finally picked some up. JoAnn's was having a nice sale on their white cotton eyelet fabric so I thought a combo would make a nice crisp look. Once I got home, I discovered that I had a wide, green grosgrain ribbon that would add just that extra something of color and detail.

The Lauren's Dress (size 4)
The dress is a simple knot dress (without an apron...keeping it simple here). I did mix it up by turning the bodice fabric 90 degrees to the skirt fabric...

The straps for both dresses are made with the lemon fabric on one side and the eyelet on the other so when the knot if tied, you get a taste of both fabrics. Both bodices are lined in the white cotton.


The Grace Dress (size 12-18 mo)
Here is the back view with Mommy Said Sew tag sewn on ala Matilda Jane style....

The Grace knot dress has a full skirt of white cotton eyelet so I felt she needed something for modesty sake (besides a diaper cover). The pants got more complicated than I meant (the gather in the ribbon was created by sewing tiny elastic to the inside pulling taught while sewing), but the use of the matching ribbon ties the outfit together with the big sister look.

Closer look at the cotton eyelet and the bottom of the pant legs...

Blue Asian Floral Nursing Cover

Love this fabric! I've been buying blue and Asian fabric lately. Maybe that's just what's available?

Anyway, here is a nursing cover, Quick Change diapering pouch and burp cloth set in this rich fabric. Perfect for a baby shower gift (this set was ordered by a friend for just that purpose!), or as a gift for a new mom or a mom who is planning to try breastfeeding "this time around."

The nursing cover is my deluxe version. It has an inside pocket of minky fabric with an elastic gusset to keep a pacifier, breast pads or whatever handy.

The pair of burp cloths are the standard. One in the blue Asian print and one in a creamy dogwood blossom print. The Quick Change diapering pouch has room for a travel size wipe case, a small tube of cream, and several diapers. Or it can serve as a nursing kit and hold a nursing cover, burp cloth and a hand full of breast pads. Once your kids are past the diaper or nursing phase, it is the perfect size for a keeping a stash of snacks and a few kids books, or a notebook and crayons. There are tons of possibilities.

The whole set packs up nicely for gift giving with a bow and Mommy Said Sew tags!!

My Cute Girls

Ok, so they aren't wearing anything I sewed for them, but they are pretty adorable...at times blurry, but adorable!

Halter Dresses

Trying a new dress style sans pattern again (when will I ever learn?) But these turned out pretty good. The style I wanted for Lauren to wear when it's really hot...Chicago summer!...is an open back halter dress. Throw a pair of comfy shorts on under and she's ready for the park, or lunch or even just strollering around the square. I am liking the simplicity of a black and white with bold accent color theme. These dresses used up 100% of some half yards of chic fabric I'd been saving up.

For the front, I wanted to add a sweet detail and sewed some tiny pleats with white thread to make them pop out a bit. Not sure what type of pleat this is called, but I've seen it done (on my own clothing actually) and liked the results. See this detail shot below...

For the back of the dress, I wanted to make sure it would fit well and comfortably. A section of elastic in the very back takes care of that and gives the fabric a nice gathered effect whereas the front has a more A-line look. Here's a view of the back of the green one...

Stay tuned for hot weather in Chicago because I bet these dresses will look even better on.

Easter Dress 2010

Here's the Easter dress I made for Lauren this year. The fabric is from JoAnn's. I picked it up while visiting my folks in Florida and was able to make the dress while they babysat!

It is the first dress I've made with a zipper. I was practicing for the flower girl dress I needed to sew for Angela's wedding. I didn't exactly follow the instructions, but the hidden zipper turned out just right!

I used ribbon trim on this dress. A layering of pink ric-rac and green grosgrain. The neckline is also trimmed out in ric-rac. I used real lining material for this dress instead of the same cotton print. Again, sewing with real lining = practice for the flower girl dress. Post on that coming up!

Oh and I also made a simple little matching purse:

Flower Girl Dress - Satin and Tulle

My dear friend Angela got married and she invited Lauren to be her flower girl. After we took a trip to David's Bridal, I asked Angela if she wouldn't mind if I copied the dress she had picked out for Lauren and made it myself. I mean, who wants to spend $100 for a sleeveless dress with a tulle skirt. Isn't that child's play for the average dress maker? I guess I now consider myself a dress maker, albeit a children's dress maker.

So here it is! The flower girl dress I made for Lauren....fully lined satin bodice with lined, tulle skirt, empire waist and adjustable sash. I sewed the bow for the back so that it wouldn't come undone and created a place underneath for the end of the sash to pass through so it could be fit perfectly once the dress was on and zipped up. Yes! A zipper installation. Between this and Lauren's Easter dress, I'm now competent at installing a hidden zipper.

That's Mommy, getting Lauren zipped up!