Wow! They even have an "inspired by Project Runway" pattern for the girls!
Heather was so eager to pose by her "pink" tree wearing her "pink" dress!
She invited some friends to celebrate the holiday season!
Hot pink back ties!
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Pattern Description: "Girls'/Girls' plus dress or mini dress."
There are options for the bodice: high neck or low neck bodice; the sleeve: long or short sleeve with casing, sleeve with bubble ruffle, or sleeve with wide ruffle; and skirt: knee length or mini skirt with or without bottom band and.or pockets.
I sewed the version pictured by the model on the left (high neck with split center and bubble/lantern sleeves). I sewed an "8" with minor modifications for Heather. She usually wears a 5/6.
Pattern Sizing:Girls' sizes 8, 10, 12, 14, 16
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes, in terms of the style, but not the fabric. The dress exuded hippy/boho chic!
Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes and the illustrations were helpful. I just had to pay attention to what "style elements" I was using. As in a previous review from the Project Runway series, I wrote the list of the pattern pieces by number next to the technical drawing. Some directions applied to both the high or low neck bodice. There were directions unique to each sleeve style. If you have experience in sewing tops or dresses with similar styling, you could get by just referring to the illustrations.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?This pattern has so much potential in creating a multitude of outfits! There are designer tips to include your own personal touches (trim, contrasting fabric, etc). Overall, the dress was easy to construct. The only thing I did not like was the unfinished look of the midriff's facing from the inside of the dress. I trimmed and edgestitched the seam.
I liked that the fit of the dress could be quickly altered by the back ties! Children grow so fast! Heather could wear this dress for another year!
Fabric Used:Pink and white floral woven cotten from Joann's clearance section: $2.50/yd.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:I added trim with sheer fabric fringes at the keyhole split of the bodice. I used a piece of hot pink lycra/spandex fabric for the back ties due to fabric shortage. The hot pink adds that dramatic effect amidst all that pink and white! I took in additional 1/4" at the seams of the bodice and skirt. I added two pockets to the front skirt. I also trimmed the skirt's hem by 2".
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Yes in the same style of bodice with another type of sleeves. I definitely would recommend this pattern if you want to create a girl's dress that is age-level appropriate and feminine, but still fashion forward. Surprisingly, the size "8" was not extremely huge on my daughter who normally wears a RTW size 5 or 6. I would also recommend as another reviewer did to go up size, just in case.
ConclusionThis pattern definitely makes a wonderful dress for a little girl! I like that the dress, especially the one with the split keyhole neck and billowy sleeves, captures a lot of that 70's boho free-spirited look!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------December 9, 2007
Darling Dancing Princesses Here are three ballerinas awaiting their winter dance recital (Heather's first!):
Heather, Sabrina, Aaliyah
Heather had the opportunity to get to know Sabrina better. Aaliyah is also 4 years old.
Naomi arrived at the chorus room (dressing room for the female dancers) cuing them to get set for their numbers. There seemed to be more action at the wings than on stage and in the audience! The curtains were closed behind the singers while they performed (what seemed to be an endless string of songs while the little dancers waited patiently and eagerly for their turn). The preteen/teen dancers were "trying" to cram some last-minute moves and lifts amidst the hushes and whispers.
Then "it's showtime"! The preteen/teen ballerinas performed the first version of Vivaldi's "Spring" and then the male dancers arrived onstage to dance with the ballerinas. As they left the stage, the darling dancing princesses arrived with their version of "Spring" (3:40 pm?) I was so elated and relieved to see my precious Heather perform her official first dance recital (technically her second one). She was dancing her heart away with her innocent face glowing with those expressive big and beautiful brown eyes looking somewhere, probably unaware of the audience in front of her. Little Sabrina probably panicked and bawled, running off the stage. She returned probably after mustering up more courage.
I was in my own little corner of a section in the wings, capturing a moment on film, near the floor to avoid being in the way of the other dancers and other stage "mothers" and also absorbing the effects of the spotlight which made the dancers appear pinkish. At least I had a fine view of Heather, despite certain circumstances, enjoying the spotlight and being a dancing princes for a brief instant. It seemed as if the little ladies were crammed altogether, which made it difficult for them to move freely and confidently. This was Heather's only dance which seemed to be an intense and uplifting experience. I felt that her father, grandma, and grandpa were tresuring this moment. As Jorgen asked Heather after the show, "Did you have fun?" The fun overrides any dance misteps and goofs that occur. What else can you expect from a child?
A description of Dec. 9, 2007. Just one of many "fun" and interesting days for us but most importantly, for Heatherina, the ballerina!
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December 8, 2007
Spring into Winter My Vivaldi Ballerina fresh as springtime!
First impression: Easy to make!
Second impression: Not easy to make!
Last impression: Finally made!
I thought this would be an easy project to take on. I tried my best to copy a ballerina gown loaned to me by Heather's lead dance teacher: a gown that consisted of a velour spandex/stretch/knit leotard bodice and an attached semi-sheer nylon skirt adorned with strips of fabric flowers.
I admit it's my fault for procrastination, but I did what I can with time available after work and other responsibilities and duties. I waited three days prior to Heather's first ballet recital to create what I thought would be a quick and easy gown, which ended up being what I call a "creative challenge with certain constraints (time and materials)", but still a worthwhile experience.
Process(1) I had a difficult time finding the material for the top and skirt! Maybe I was searching in the wrong places! At Joann's, Heather saw a ready-made "fairy" light purple leotard. I was originally resistant to buy it, thinking that I would find the material to sew the leotard. After my tireless search in Joann's and a nearby Yardage Town, we returned to Joann's and without hesitation, reservation, and regret, I purchased the RTW leotard, with the belief that it might fit Heather.
(2) Sew-on fabric flowers? Easy to find? No!!!!!!!!!!! It seems that when there is a purpose to shop, it seems that the shopping becomes purpose-less! We tried searching Michael's (finally found the pink holiday tree we wanted!), Yardage Town, and a shop that specializes in fabric flowers for special occasions for some little fabric flowers. Again...zilch! I could not find any pink, blue, purple flowers with each having a diameter of 1". If I did find little flowers with potential, they had stems. I told Heather that we give it one more try at Michael's. We went to the bridal/special occasion section at Michaels and spent about $20 in the little pink and light lavendar fabric flowers with stems, including Heather's $3 book of great illustrated classics for children. I cut off the flowers from the stems and hand-sewed them (one by one) onto the organdy ribbon strips. I made 6 strips (2 side, 1 back, 3 front) of flowers and one long one to tie around her hair bun at the back of her head.
While clearing the living room, I found one of Heather's artificial leis on the ground. If only this incident arrived before making her gown! Then
**light bulb **(that turned on a little too late!) I could have gone to a party supplies store and purchased several leis to take them apart for the vibrantly colorful fabric flowers (99 cents a lei!)!!
(3) Skirt: I was not able to find a semi sheer nylon mesh (probably used for the underlinings of window curtains) and opted for the closest I could find - a more delicate sheer mesh, more suitable for tutus. I hand gathered nearly 8 feet wide of the mesh using running stitches, being careful not to pull the thread and redoing the entire process. I took my time in pinning, hand basting. and machine stitching the skirt to the leotard. I hope that the skirt survives through one dance recital!
ConclusionHeather was very excited to witness the process of sewing the gown and see the result! She became somewhat frustrated and disheartened when I experienced some difficulty in attaching the skirt to the bodice and in figuring how to make the bodice fit once I finally sewed the skirt. She saw my growing frustration with what seemed an impossible task to gather and re-gather the skirt with challenging fabric to work with and the bodice being somewhat tight below the torso and fitting lower on chest area after putting velcro ends together.
Simple solutions (ironically, after some thought):
For the tight bodice:
I sewed a 2" velour knit extension (made from remnants) to the velcro ends of the crotch of the leotard.
For the bodice that comes low:
I discovered this during the dress rehearsal. I kept Heather's pink spandex leotard underneath. She also would not have to worry about the gown's upper bodice edge gaping.
It's very valuable for children to see our frustrations and perseverence in what we do!
Yeah! Heather's dress (and of course, the ballerina) survived after her first dance recital!
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December 2, 2007
Fashion Flight Heather and I visited the San Diego Threads Show at the Balboa Park Aerospace Museum. We arrived there at around 11:20 a.m. and encountered a line that seemed to consist of well over 100 people. The wait was comparable to a ride at Disneyland! Kudos to Heather for being really patient and polite!
Heather enjoyed the blueberry muffin and hot chocolate. What she enjoyed the most was looking at the airplanes past the vendor/display floor and stepping into three of the display planes (I told her that she cannot touch those that have railings or velvet ropes around them. I did not understand what she meant by "shark, shark, shark!" As we walked further in the museum, I noticed the plane with painted teeth at its nose. It was one of those "flying tigers."
I also enjoyed seeing the display of Southwest Airlines airline fashions. They are totally groovy-licious! With my other camera, I took some pictures of Heather posing with the mod flight attendants. Up, up, and away, and far out!
Flying Ace
"Kitfox" Girl
Here are from the first fashion show. Geez, those gorgeous models are rail thin. Several of them seem to have the waistline of my little one.
Camo Princess
Purple T Girl
I did not buy anything from the show. Either the items were a bit expensive for the pocketbook or I did not fancy them much. Many of the purses, t-shirts, and jewelry would be suitable for an arts and crafts fair. I saw clothing that seemed to be trendy, urban, punk, college-girl, vampy, "nightclub-ish" or simply scream "teen scene" to me! I really could not stop and take a closer look at some unique pieces that appeared "designer" or what I would like to wear with a somewhat impatient 4-year old!
It was fun to just walk around and meet many friendly people. Heather's Sponge Bob outfit seemed to be an attention getter as we walked by. As I told one lady, it would be neat if there was a fashion show of designs for the little ones. By the way, I decided to skip the complimentary "flock of seagulls" do. I just did not feel like using detangler afterwards.
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I posted this on my sewing meetup club:
Heather and I visited the Threads Show yesterday. What a "happening" place! There was a bit of something for everybody on the vendor floor- one of a kind jewelry, handbags, jackets, dresses, artistic t-shirts, and so on. On the racks, I saw clothing of various styles: trendy, artsy, urban chic, vampy, punkish, college casual. But
I did not find anything that really caught my fancy for myself or for family and friends, as holiday gifts.
It was nice to sit and relax on the blue benches and have some hot cocoa, and a blueberry muffin while listening to some heart-thumping (not nerve-wracking) techno/new-wave/disco/club DJ music.
Nevertheless, we had fun meeting a great mix of energetic and vibrant people (many 10-20 years younger than me....). While standing in line to the entrance of the museum (just as long as, or maybe slightly longer than waiting for a Disneyland ride), I had a chance to chat with a very nice lady who brought her teenaged children, and meet the charming and outgoing gentleman with the studded leather jacket seated by the table for credit purchases - he's such a card! We also met a very sweet lady working as an attendant in the bathroom located in the back of the building where we saw the planes on display and other interesting exhibits.
Heather had more fun looking at the planes and climbing into three planes for a pretend flight. I even got a kick out of visiting a Southwest Airlines exhibit of mannequins decked out in some groovy flight attendant fashions (yeah!!!).
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December 1, 2007
Yule-Tidal Sponge Bob and Bratzy Cheer!
Heather decked out in her Sponge Bob attire in another holiday pose with Santa (the same guy from last year!):
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November 23, 2007
Best of Both Worlds! Hannah Meets Sponge Bob with some Sass!
It's the day after Thanksgiving and the Spongebob marathon is still on!
Here's one of the Hannah Montana wardrobe collections from Simplicity:
Pattern envelope link:
Simplicity 3589 Hannah Montana outfits
From McCall's Sassy Girl collection:
I just finished the Sassy Girl bolero jacket. Here are the bolero jacket with the Hannah Montana dress that Heather requested that I make:
Heather wore the dress yesterday. She wore it all evening on our visit to Grandma and Grandpa. As usual, she's so excited to wear something brand new!
Pattern Description:
Girls' Mini-dress or tunic and top, jacket with sleeve variations and scarf
Pattern Sizing:
Girls 8-10-12-14-16. I sewed Heather a size "8"
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, for the most part.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, despite some nesting and jumping around that Simplicity is known for.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I was pleasantly surprised that this style of dress did not require a back zipper! I liked the flutter sleeves and the built-in camisole that was made from the "inset" piece (even had straps attached to the shoulder to keep the camisole from bulging out more!). The bodice was somewhat large for my daughter and the back ties were a good feature to pull it back and make the dress more fitted.
Fabric Used:
From Joann's, Sponge Bob flannel with that famous vibrant yellow color (not captured well by my cell phone photos). What a coincidence! The Sponge Bob marathon is on right now on tv!
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I did not use contrasting fabric for the camisole. I finished the upper edge of the camisole with decorative ribbon. I omitted the contrast band on the bottom. I decreased each seam allowance by 1/4".
I sewed the bolero jacket from McCall's Sassy Girl pattern 5175. I used the same fabric instead of another to line the jacket.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, this is really a very easy dress without extra notions (zippers, buttons). Heather normally wears a girls' 5/6 and she was able to slip over her head the size 8 sewn with decreased seam allowances. If she were a true size 8, I would sew a "9" to be on the safe side.
Conclusion
I have not sewn in a while and so I felt that this dress was a nice way to get warmed up for more challenging projects! I highly recommend this to beginners to give them insight into creating tops and dresses while learning to make gathers in the sleeve and bodice area, making ties, and finishing edges using bias tape binding.
Without normal interruptions, I think the dress took no more than 2 hours to sew! Actually, I had some help from Heather, who was so proud to consider this her first sewing project - she "pedaled" a lot of the straight stitching!
