Monday, April 23, 2012

Oh yea...the DRESS!!

Maybe you noticed Josie's adorable little sunshiny frock in the Wizard of Oz photos. Maybe you wonder where you can buy such a lovely little piece of wearable joy. Maybe you think I should link to the Etsy shop where you can buy your own. Maybe you know where this is heading...

I MADE JOSIE'S DRESS!!! 


Truly, it was easy. I've been meaning to bust out the old sewing machine for sometime. And when I finally drug it out to make some desperately long overdue curtains for our front door, I was inspired.  Thank goodness for Etsy. I found this super easy pattern for $6, printed it out, headed to JoAnn's to grab some fabric inexpensive enough to justify exploration and knocked this puppy out in a couple of  after-bedtime sewing sessions.  Of course Bea has a matching one on the way and I've already got a whole stack of next projects.  I think all I needed was one decent finished project to get my sewing groove back.  (Hey Carrie Schmitt Harrison - is there some reason we never used patterns in college when we were sewing?! I totally crack up every time I imagine us drinking Soleo by the gallon, converting bedsheets from the thrift store into summer sundresses!) Anyway mamas, like I said - this is a super easy pattern and there are lots of other easy tutorials online. Grab yourself some fabric and a little self-confidence and get to work.  (You'll see if you click on the pattern that it's just for a really simple dress with elastic sleeves & neck-line, but it's really easy to jazz up. The rick-rack and button really kicked it up a notch IMHO, but arose out of necessity since Josie thought it was too plain before. You really could do loads of things with this pattern. Josie's already asked for different sleeves and pockets next time.)

And although I bought this fabric and made this dress first because I wanted to make a "You Are My Sunshine" dress for Josie, it is definitely the "Yellow Brick Road" dress now.  (On that note, I can't tell you how sweet it was that when deciding what to wear to the Wizard of Oz show that Josie insisted on wearing this dress and not her Dorothy costume. I couldn't believe it, and it made me realize how giving something handmade really is such a loving thing.)

2 comments:

Catherine said...

Love it!! Oh, I remember your lovely college sundresses. :) Im inspired to bring out my machine and try to make a few things.

Anonymous said...

Your Nana is looking down witha big smile on her face!!!! Dads smilin' too!!!!!!!!!!!!