Ruthie's Strawberry Dress

After having the fabric sitting there for ages, this afternoon I finally got round to doing something with it, and here's how it turned out!
I used the Bubble Dress Tutorial from sewadollable.com.
This dress turned out pretty cute, but it was quite frustrating to make! I used the bodice pattern from Melody's Birthday dress (see picture), and the sleeves from a t-shirt pattern, because I wanted it to have long sleeves.
So obviously I didn't have too much trouble with the bodice, given that it was a very simple pattern and I'd made it before, so apart from a few unwanted tucks when setting the sleeves in, it was pretty much fine.
The skirt was definitely the worst bit!

1. I forgot to add 1/4'' to my bodice measurement for the skirt lining, hence why I had to put velcro all down the back, because it was too tight around her bottom (the pictures will explain more).
2. The gathers were really annoying! I hate gathering, especially when I have to make it really poofy so the threads are really tight, and then all they break when you try to pull them out, and you have to pick at them for ages to make it even before you sew, etc.

Now for the photos:

Birthday dress. Notice the similarities?

The sleeves were actually meant to be set straight in, but I think the gathers worked well, no?

The cutest, pouffiest skirt ever!

Dodgy back closure :(

The funny velcro arrangement I came up with to make it work.

And all the time I was taking photos, the cat was looking at me like this.
Aka: What are you doing near my playground???
Me: Well, it is my house, in case you hadn't noticed.

I thought the lining would make the dress to tight for her to sit comfortably in, but I was wrong! She can actually sit quite nicely, provided that I remember to put undies on her next time (I was in such a rush to get the photos done that they aren't very good quality, and I had to get a funny angle for this one so that you couldn't tell that she'd forgotten her underwear!)

Overall, the dress turned out super cute, and I would definitely recommend you try out the tutorial yourself. Only, please don't make the same mistake on the skirt lining that I did! It was so annoying, and I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else!

Cara's Birthday!

Hi everyone!

On the 14th of March, Cara celebrated her 10th birthday! Here's a photo-story. Enjoy!

Key:

Melody

Cara

Happy Birthday, Cara!

Yay!

I wonder what it is?

Thanks Melly!

You're welcome, Cara! Come on, open it up!

Yay! New clothes! I'll go and try them on…

A few minutes later...

They fit perfectly! Thanks a heap, Melsy!

You're welcome Cara, I'm glad you liked them.

Doesn't Cara just look so much like Josefina in this one?

Mum and I made the outfit with the pattern for Josefina's camisa and skirt from AG playthings.

I didn't have the right materials, so did a variation instead.

The camisa is made from pale blue batiste trimmed with rainbow lace and bound with bright orange lawn bias binding.

The skirt is made of blue printed wintella. The design has white birds on branches with leaves etc. on a blue background. The skirt is gathered on to a waistband/sash, which ties at the back, then hemmed.

If you want a more detailed post on this outfit, please let me know.

Love,

Melody's New Dress!

Hi Girls!

I finally finished Melody's dress this morning, so here are the pictures I promised.

For the bodice pattern, I used the One shoulder dress tutorial, but used a her circle skirt tutorial for the skirt instead, but made it slightly longer. 

I'm quite happy with how it turned out, but believe me, it was a total nightmare to sew! Being the Avocado-Green lining silk that it was, it kept slipping all over the machine. But I must say, the results we totally worth it!

Anyway, hope you liked it! It's Melody's new favourite, and she doesn't want to take it off!

Next projects are: A matching jacket for this dress, a smock-style winter play dress, a bubble dress and another pair of leggings. All coming soon, with tutorial/pattern/book links and photos!

Love,

Updates

Hi girls!
I'm really sorry that I haven't posted in so long!

I've been working on a new post for "My thoughts on AG's new releases". It's taking ages, because I don't have that much time, and AG just released a HUGE amount of new stuff! But that post will probably be up in the next week or so. Then I have a couple of photo-stories that I need to post, and tons of other stuff!

All crammed in with school, dance practice, sewing, planning, and Eighteen Inch Doll Academy. Oh, and I can't forget that writing contest book that has to be sent in by April 30!

So yeah, I've got an awful lot to do and so little time to do it in!

Anyways, I won't be permanently leaving this blog or anything, so don't stress! I just won't be able to post very often for a while, so don't have a panic attack if for some reason I don't post for a few weeks!

For your sake though, I promise I won't keep more than 5 weeks between posting. Ok?

I'd better go now, I really have to finish that new dress for Melody! And before you ask, yes, I will be posting photos once it is finished, and I'll even include a link to the pattern I used. Good deal? I know, I'm starting to ramble on like some kind of TV advertiser on the shopping channel.

Well, I'd better run now.

Have a wonderful day!