Finished the dress over the weekend. Hemmed it, clipped all the threads, pressed it. I poured the precious red button jar out onto the ironing board and found two just the right size that matched.
Must admit that the buttonholes were a huge pain. My sewing machine is old, quirky and not very reliable. Whenever it's time to finish anything with topstitching or buttonholes, it goes all wonky. (Other times too actually.) The second buttonhole was a total mess and I had to pick out all the tiny stitches without cutting the fabric. But I did it and then held my breath when I gave it another try a little closer to the first. Success.
So here's the back then. Very cute.
When I laid out the pattern pieces to prep for cutting, I traced the full yoke onto a piece of newsprint and then cut it out to make a window. I used the window to move across the fabric and identify the parts of the print design that I wanted to see in the yoke front and back. Love the way the silhouette appears on the back shoulder and the buttons over the button card.
And then I made the bloomers to finish it up. They look kind of strange just flat for the photos. But they are really sweet too. I used to make these for the girls to wear with a sunhat and plain tee decorated to match.
Wish I had a little girl for a model so I could show you how adorable it is together.
Yes, that would be lovely.
I like the addition of the bloomers! Seriously, so practical --and lovely --at the same time. Cause we know little girls like to climb just as much as those boys do! :D I will have to remember that yoke window idea too. Placing the buttons on the button card is perfect!
Posted by: Kathy Aho in MInnesota | January 23, 2012 at 11:52 AM
The window idea is a good one! I wondered if you had planned the fabric for the yoke and how you did it.
Your sewing machine sounds like mine!
Laura
Posted by: Laura | January 23, 2012 at 12:07 PM
So Darling. Right before I read about the newsprint window I had a fleeting thought "look how that silhouette is all right side up and perched right there, how lucky was she?" Guess it wasn't luck it was cleverness.
Posted by: Danee | January 23, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Such a sweet little dress! Who knows maybe someday soon you will have your own little model! :)
Posted by: Laura @ 52 FLEA | January 23, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Sweet! The buttons are perfect.
It makes me feel better knowing YOU have a quirky, old, sometimes-obstinate sewing machine(too!).
hope it's a happy day!
~april
Posted by: april | January 23, 2012 at 03:33 PM
Hi Charlotte! If you send the dress to me I can have one of my great nieces model it, and then I can post the photo for you. I would be very happy to do this as the dress is just adorable.
Posted by: queenmum | January 23, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Charlotte, you are clever! Love the bloomers... they are adorable. Hope you will post soon for an online source for the fabric... I can't wait to get my hands on some!
Monica
Posted by: Monica Fullerton | January 23, 2012 at 05:05 PM
thanks!
the blend website has a link for where to buy-
online retailers here:
http://blendfabrics.com/online-retailers-0
and local retailers:
http://blendfabrics.com/domestic-retailers-search-state
Posted by: charlotte | January 23, 2012 at 05:13 PM
those bloomers...oh my goodness! beautiful fabric and just the word "bloomers" is so charming.
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | January 24, 2012 at 02:24 PM
That is just the SWEETEST little dress ever:) You did a fantastic job:)))))
Posted by: Michaelanneneal | January 31, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Placing the buttons on the button card is perfect! I can't wait to get my hands on some!
Posted by: | January 31, 2012 at 10:16 AM