Simplicity 5118 & Clothing Tags
The polka dot is from Hobby Lobby {I think, it's been in my stash for a LONG time} and the owls are by Alexander Henry {I found it on etsy}.
When Morgan tried it on... all she wanted to do was dance!
I made one for both girls. I haven't sewn in months and it felt so good to sit down and finish 2 dresses in a matter of hours!
Here are the changes I made to the pattern:
1- I cut 2 "backs" {1 for the front & 1 for the back} and rounded them to match the rounding on the "front". The "front" of the dress pattern comes in 2 pieces and has an empire waist. I was looking for a solid front... that's why I cut two backs, and the back is a little fuller than the front. That makes the front and the back the same... the only difference is the sleeve has a front & back so there is a front & back when you are done.
2- I cut about 4" off the length of the back and added a 4" piece of the contrasting fabric that I used on the sleeves
3- It only goes through a size 4 so I made Morgan's {a 5} just a smidge bigger than a 4. :)
Oh... and I added tags because they make life easier for dads if when they dress the children.
Here's a quick TAG TUTORIAL:
My machine {which I still LOVE} has an option to sew letters & numbers.
So I chose the #3 for size 3.
Then I placed a white ribbon under my foot with a piece of stabilizer under it. And stitched out a 3.
Then I trimmed the ribbon and folded it in half and basted the tag closed.
When I was closing up the casing in the neck of my dress I slipped the tag in.
If your machine doesn't sew numbers or letters you could use a permanent fabric marker and just write the size on the tag.
Ok, off to bed. And I think I accidently posted this before I was finished... durn computers!
More on our week to follow...
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44 comments:
I have GOT to learn how to sew, but college leaves NO TIME for it!! I absolutely love those dresses!! GREAT JOB :)
those are so cute! you make me want to sew.
Very cute! What is the reason for change #1. Why two backs instead of the front the pattern calls for?
A-dorable! I didn't know mommies still sewed for their children! I used to do that but mine are all grown up now. It took me back. Very sweet little dresses--and the tag: now that's impressive.
Karen
Those are sweet little frocks for two sweet little girls. I love the tag idea- it's almost enough to make me want to sew again... Very clever idea, especially good when handing-on to other deserving young ladies. Do you ever make and sell those nifty pen cases???
My daughter wants to sew a "halter" dress - she is 9 and I cannot wait to see her sew... I made my first dress in 3rd grade. I know your girls will learn to sew.
You are a super MOM!
pve
Ohhh D! Those are adorable! I would love to be handed down one of those when the girls are grown out of them...and if I were to have a girl, of course:) You did a great job! I LOVE the fabric!!
XOXO Cous
This makes me want 2 things:
1. a sewing machine
2. a 50mm lens
Precious post, precious dress, precious photos.
XO
Mommasis
i love that you make your girls (and that cute lil' boy) clothes. my mom used to do that for my sister and i growing up too, i even had her make my senior prom dress (way back when!)... they'll always remember that about you!
I saw your post a while back about this same pattern and immediately ordered it online (it was hard to find!). But it WAS easy to sew and the results are adorable! I always look forward to reading new sewing posts on your blog. Keep up the fabulous job you do as a mother, wife, seamstress, photographer, chef...and continue to let us know about it via the blog! Thanks for all your great ideas!
You may have mentioned this before, but what brand is your sewing machine?
Dresses are adorable, I want to make them.
I cannot WAIT to try this...As long as you promise it really is Easy Peasy :) It certainly looks Cutsey Pootsy! Good to hear your voice last night. 10/4
Sweet little pattern. It's funny how a small change makes such a difference. I don't like the seam across the front and would probably have just passed over that pattern. Now I'm looking at it with new eyes. I'm keeping all your ideas for one-day grandmother sewing. I haven't seen anything of yours I don't like!
I have got to learn how to sew! Thank goodness I don't have girls or I would be so far out of the cute zone- or so far in debt!! haha!
Love the dress and particularly the dance move! Too cute!!
Thanks for the great idea for tags - although with only one girl hopefully my husband can figure who belongs in the dress.
So cute! I think that's a *bit* beyond my skill level, as I can really only do straight lines. ;) Love the tag idea. I just have a simple Janome with no extra fancy stitches or options, but yours sure is cool! :)
okay, i have stalked you for a month or so now and i want to be your friend. :) i think you are superwoman, and love your stuff!
photog question - i have a nikon D40 SLR, and want to know how you do the pics like the one of your little girl in this blog when you blur out the back. i can do it with f-stop, but how can you do that when you have a child that is obviously in motion??? please help!
either comment on my blog (if you have time) or email me - you can find me at http://amysnorris.blogspot.com or http://browniegoose.blogspot.com.
thanks and keep it up from one of your newest stalkers!
I might order that pattern but only if you promise that it is good for a beginner. I have never used a pattern or made anything. I just have a sewing machine that sticks its tongue out at me every time I see it in the closet. lol I love the little style of dress.
I am So going to make these for my girls. LOVE your blog, and I linked to this post in my most recent post.
Very Cute! I love it as usual.
I told Erika today that I had some gently used matching clothes for the girls [that mine had outgrown]. Now I'm certain that giving you those would be a complete insult. You are an amazing clothing designer, Darby!!!
i've been reading your blog for a while and love it! i used your tutorial to make the tiered skirts (here's a link in case you'd like to see them :-)
http://themedlins.blogspot.com/2009/04/sew-cute.html
and I used the hairbow tutorial too. thanks for such easy to follow instructions. just thought i'd say hello and i can't wait to try these cute dresses! and i am always encouraged to read about your faith. we also are pca and it's refreshing to see truth in blogland every now and then!
Darby-
Love the owls, obviously. I am using taht fabric in a tee shiet quilt--finally doing something with the 100 tshirts I ended up with in college! That pattern is too cute, I am going to have to search high and low for it right now!
AmyLeigh
You are just TOO smart, Darby! I love the dresses....just darling!
Do you use that machine as a serger too???
I've been wanting that AH owl fabric (in all 3 colorways) for so long and I just might have to break down and buy it.... those dresses are too cute! I can't wait to make matching dresses for my girls :) Glad to know it's an easy pattern - I have too many things I've left half finished because they were taking too long...
Those dresses are precious! I need to pull that pattern out again.
I don't sew but my Mother in law does. Thanks for this step by step. The dresses are adorable. Your little girl looks so cute in it.
I can't believe all that you fit in with young ones! My girls are 7,5 and 2 and I feel accomplished when I exercise, make dinner, and take a shower in one day! You are amazing. Love the blog.
such a cute little dress. and since you said easy, i'll give it a try! :)
Oh, those dresses are absolutely adorable, LOVE them! I am going to have to get my Mom to make something like it for my little girl! Thanks for sharing! : )
Can you post a pic of the pattern pieces!? This pattern is NO WHERE to be found and I would love to make these for my girls. I know I could figure out how to put it together since I change up patterns all the time...but seeing the pieces would be SUPER helpful!
I have never sewn from a pattern, is it very hard to read? And where do you learn to read them!?!?!
Have you ever taken a sewing class? I am always just winging it!
I'm a young mother of two girls, a sewer and a bargain hunter. :) Recently. I came across this adorable FREE purse pattern (the buttercup pattern) on this site: madebyrae.blogspot.com
I've made 5 of these purses already so that I can give them away as gifts.
p.s. I used home decor weight fabric.
OMG, those are so cute...i must learn how to sew.
that owl fabric is darling..you are so talented!
Any chance anyone can tell me where to get that cute Simplicity 5118 pattern? It's out of print so nobody seems to have it? Anyone want to get rid of theirs? Just asking....thanks so much!
I found this pattern before at Walmart - they have patterns, but they don't move out as quickly. I"m going to get it there.
I learn a lot of things in visiting this blog. I never thought that in that kind of simple ways you can make very beautiful clothing tags.
personalized clothing tags
Great article this is very informative .......keep posting Thanks Regards
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