It’s Artbreak time again! I love this regional art festival. It is a great opportunity to display the creativity and talent of our kids.
My big girl had 2 pieces on display again this year. (Anyone else noticing a theme here…)
Her English teacher also submitted one of her works in the literary competition.
You can see our past Artbreak entries here and here.
Butterick describes this pattern as a misses’ dress that is semi-fitted, straight, above mid-knee dress with front darts, back pleats, self-faced yoke front and neckbands, side seam pockets, outside casing with elastic, self ties and a stitched hem. I made the basic dress, modifying the sleeve to use the fabric I had available.
My favorite element: The side seam pockets! I love pockets!
My least favorite element: The outside casing with elastic. I love the look it gives the dress, but it made mine too bulky around the middle.
Biggest change: I knew I would wear a belt with this dress and the self ties would have to go. I created the casing and ran the elastic from front facing, around the back to the other front facing, stitching the ends in place, eliminating the need for self ties.
Fabric: This is a 100% cotton that I grabbed off the sale rack at Hancocks. It feels like a lawn, but is just a little bit heavier.
Pattern: I basically followed the written instructions and found no problems with them. The pattern pieces were also easy to use/understand. The dress took my about 4 months to complete: 1 hour to cut, 4 months to sit unfinished, and about 1 1/2 hours to actually stitch up.
I won’t be making this dress again, because I have another dress pattern I like that is very similar. If you don’t have a straight shirt dress pattern that you’d love, this would be a great one to try. Grab it at a 99cent sale and give it a go, particularly if you are rectangle like me!
#1 Sugar Snap Peas
#2 Spring Shopping at the Etsy Kids Spring 2012 Shopping Guide
#3 My favorite cookbook!*
#5 Taco Bell’s Dorito Tacos. Best.Idea.Ever. (Don’t judge!)
*disclaimer: if you buy through the link, I get a teeny, tiny monetary reward. blah, blah, blah…
I am so excited to know so many little ones will be sporting my seersucker this Easter!
Just a note for my customers: If you ordered by March 20, your order mailed yesterday. If you ordered by March 23, your order will mail on March 31. If you ordered between March 24 and March 26, your order will mail April 3.
When you’re planning summer outfits, don’t forget that I have gingham in all these fun colors too!
I’m so excited! I added a new book to my sewing library today!
I grabbed my copy at our local Hancocks’ but you can click the picture above to find one on Amazon. Here’s my review:
Some Chapter Headings:
I liked:
My dislikes:
Conclusion:
Every seamstress needs at least one good resource. This book is appears to be an excellent, concise and complete resource.
Would I buy it for myself? I did! I first grabbed it simply because it lays open flat. Silly, right? Well, after working with books that close up on me while my hands are on the fabric, I was excited to find a complete resource that would be easy to use.
Would I buy it for a beginner sewer? Absolutely. This books is written with a conversational tone and has many questions written and answered that a beginner might ask. I personally think any beginner would benefit from reading the chapters on fabric and patterns before entering the fabric store!
****note: I’m in the Amazon Affiliate Program. I will be monetarily compensated if you purchase through the links above. That said, I do truly like this book and my recommendation have nothing to do with this affiliate program.
