the blue blog archives: decked out

A big, little dress for wee one. This dress is from Tina Givens' "Zig Zag Girl" pattern with some fabulous Alexander Henry fabric for the skirt. I'm trying to improve my garment sewing by trying out different dress patterns and styles for L. I liked this pattern because of its unique shape and construction. I think this oversize, kaftan-thing is sort of Tina Givens' style. Many of her patterns are like this (I really like the back on this one) and she herself is dressed like this in all the pictures I've ever seen of her (like this one). The finished garment is cute - I LOVE the fabrics together - but I wouldn't exactly call this dress a success.

First, the pattern was a little trying, with fabric requirements being underestimated (by half!) for the size I made (small) and with instructions similar to the laughably brief steeking instructions in a Dale of Norway pattern (Dale: now just sew and cut - Givens: step 1: sew binding to neck - you might want to make bias binding... 'nuff said, right? uh, noooo). So many of the instructions were so vague that I often had to just go from the pattern picture to guess what to do. I sewed up the entire thing once and only then did I "get" what I was supposed to have done, so I took it apart and resewed it a second time, finally producing a dress that looked and fit like the one in the pattern pic. I was already skeptical during the sewing about how this dress would really look on my gal, but it wasn't until after finishing the whole thing that I could stand back and really think about how I would change it. First, I think I'd prefer gathering or shirring instead of the pleating at the waist - it just emphasizes that potato sack look too much. Second, I remember being surprised at how short the bodice piece was when I cut it out. I ended up using bias binding to hem the bottom of the skirt so as not to lose any length there but next time, I'll definitely add on an inch or two to the bodice piece. And finally, I personally would lose the kimono-style v-neck and do a standard crew neck or gathered neck.

And so that's just what I'm going to do! I stopped by the fabric store this morning to pick up a bit more of the bodice fabric. I've already picked out all the seams. I can start resewing tonight. Even though it's frustrating to think that I will have sewn this thing three times, I feel like I have learned a TON about what I can do, what I like and what I want to put on my little girl. I'm confident I'll like the new and improved version and that having sewn this will help me make even better clothes for her in the future.

While the zig zag dress was, well, zigging and zagging, I sewed up another pair of ruffly cords for wee one (again from Pink Fig's Bella Pants pattern), but this time with an even bigger ruffle! For an extra fancy outfit, I paired it with her ruffliest pink dress. I love it! I know it's a lot of pink and a lot of ruffles but she's not complaining (and she vetoes outfits at least once a week!). She likes getting a little gussied up and decked out. And it is the holidays, after all.

posted by alison at 1:04 pm | in sew pretty

Comments

'laughably brief...' ROFLMAO With those giant corduroy ruffles on Wee One, is that a bit like belling that cat? Can you hear her coming from the next room?

Posted by: Robby at December 2, 2008 1:53 PM

Ha, Robby, I have to admit that is something I never thought of until you mentioned it! You'd think she'd be loud, wouldn't you? But she's actually not. Maybe because the corduroy is a really fine wale. In fact, it's so fine, I'm not actually convinced that it's any thicker or warmer than just cotton pants. But at least she's not swishing herself deaf!

Posted by: ALISON at December 2, 2008 2:13 PM

That's my kinda girl! Can't wait to see what comes of the zig-zag dress :)

Posted by: Vicki at December 2, 2008 3:01 PM

Oh wow, I love the AH fabric that you picked for the first dress. I can't wait to see the results of your third attempt.

I just started sewing for my little guy and have found the cutest patterns from Ottobre Design in Finland. Have you tried any of these yet? They supposedly have great instructions and fit very well, but I'm just a beginner so have nothing to compare it to.

Posted by: Stefanie Summerer at December 2, 2008 4:28 PM

I love your fabric choices. I have been sewing for many years and all I can say is you are definitely on the right track. You learn by doing!

Posted by: Chris at December 2, 2008 4:32 PM

I was just thinking to myself how much I like the way the second iteration of the dress came out when I came to the part where you ripped it out AGAIN! If you're a fan of old Cosby shows, Rudy had adorable clothes including a dress that was made much like the 2nd version, with beautiful fabrics and a shortened bodice. My daughters had those dresses, too, but I can't remember who made them.

Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at December 2, 2008 5:17 PM

Ooooh, Stefanie, I have a few old Ottobre magazines. They're very nice. I never thought I was good enough to sew anything from them. Plus, those crazy pattern sheets make me crazy! Tell me if you have any success sewing from them.

Thanks Chris, that's very encouraging!! :)

I do like it, Mary, but it's not quite right. Maybe I'll give the original pattern another chance with just a few sizing mods. Hey, if that doesn't work, I can always rip it out again! ;0)

Posted by: ALISON at December 2, 2008 5:22 PM

I wish I could remember the name of the maker. The dresses were like little quilts -- a bodice with crossed over piping like yours (I think it buttoned along the slant) and a skirt and sleeves of different beautiful fabrics. Each was different and gorgeously coordinated, some checks, some flowered patterns. Most were polished cotton, but the winter ones had some rayon. They were expensive....

Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport at December 3, 2008 8:34 AM

Mary K.
It sounds like the dresses that used to be made by Oilily. As the mother of two boys, I only got to lust after them from afar.
For the record, I think that the finished incarnation of the dress is adorable and the model is pretty cute too!

Posted by: mary kate at December 3, 2008 9:14 AM

Off topic -- Alison, I've been watching your twitter posts. Where did you find your great little treats for your advent calendar? I didn't do so well finding little gifts for mine. Maybe I can redeem myself with my kids for the second half of the month! ;-)

Posted by: Tammy at December 3, 2008 9:21 AM

I really like the dress. It reminds me of Hanna Andersson stuff (which I love on my little girls.)
You make me want to start sewing clothes! (I don't often stray too far from quilts with my sewing machine.) Wee one is a doll.

Posted by: Wendi at December 3, 2008 9:48 AM

So cute! By the way, is Wee One left-handed? My son (now 6) sucks his right thumb and he's a lefty -- the kids I know who suck their right thumbs are also lefties!

Posted by: Leslie at December 3, 2008 10:12 AM

Tammy, I got all the advent calendar gifties at our local iParty store. Wee one helped me pick them all out. Every time I walked back over to where she had the little shopping basket, she'd have stocked it with a few more items!! :D

Interesting theory, Leslie. We thought she might be left-handed early on, but she seems to use the right more now and with more success. We're hoping that'll help her give up the thumb-sucking a little earlier than her big brother, who is also right-handed but sucked his left thumb until kindergarten.

Posted by: ALISON at December 3, 2008 10:23 AM

She looks so pretty in the blue dress. That color complements her complexion and really brings out her eyes.

Posted by: Jo at December 4, 2008 12:53 PM