StuntSewing

Feliz really makes me happy!

I didn't photograph as I sewed on this one but did make 3 dresses for 3 very different girls and I want to share a couple of tips/tricks and what-have-you that will, hopefully, make your sewing experience one to write home about!

I want to talk a little about adding the elastic to the sash pieces and then inserting them. Take 3-4 inches of 1" elastic and stitch to the inside edge of your sash piece, now sew this elastic into the seams just like the instructions/sewing guide show you to do with the sash. In addition to making this a fabulous trick for dressing/undressing this also allows you to cinch up the sides making an even more perfect fit if you happen to have a twiggy girl.

Now the back elastic, the first FELIZ I made was for a twiggy 4 year old and I pulled the elastic tight but there's no way to test if it's tight enough until you're all put together. I didn't pull it all the stinking way, super tight and it wasn't right. Seam Ripper to the rescue. I got that elastic pulled about as tight as it would go and it changed the entire fit of the dress. For the record, I also have a more solidly built daughter and followed the same super cinched back elastic and it fits beautifully!

What else... you need the back facing pieces even if your not adding buttons because this is what is going to hold your back elastic in.

Oh yeah, if your not going to use the side facing pieces you'll want to add a little larger seam allowance to those overdress pieces. I usually add just enough for my serger to use up but when I didn't use the facing pieces and needed to 'finish' those edges it used up more seam allowance fabric than I had allotted.

Seriously, this dress brings a smile to my face every time one of my girls wears it and what makes me even more happy is that it make them smile and twirl about and THAT is what really matters at this house.

The cute little ruffled sleeve addition on Grace's is thanks to the Quiara sleeve pattern piece, just cut a little narrowly and gathered.

Pictures forthcoming, they are on a different computer :-)

-C

I've got nothin' but happiness. School is back in session and I;m running more than ever, but there's always room for a little more love and happiness.

This little one has cried all summer long. She would just burst out of the blue. "I don't want it to be your birthday, I don't want to go to school." This is her in her special 1st day of school dress at school, meeting her teacher.

The littlest Miss wore that cute dress down there exactly 2 times. Whenever I produce it for the days' attire I get the scrunched up nose and the puckered up lips and she tells me how she wants the underdress on top and how while she does like the teddy bear she does not like having a HUMAN on the front of her dress.

I'm working on some skirts. Hers is put together already. But she sees Graces in the cut out stage and declares it to be the cutest fabwic ever. UGH! I proceed to get out her skirt. Again the scrunched up nose makes an appearance. Slowly, ever so slowly she decides it's cute enough if only she can choose the fabric for the skirt. Fabric which is in Graces skirt and in no way shape or form coordinates with hers.

These outfits, these LAGUNA skirts with ANTONIA shirts. They are the last ones I will agonize, scrutinize over fabric choices on my own. I'm resigned I have to bring in the 4 year old on the decision making. But it doesn't end there. If the littlest Miss gets to make those types of big decisions there is no way the 6 and 8 year olds will let it slide.

I'm sure now that life will never be less complicated.