Saturday, May 16, 2009

Simplicity 5118 & Clothing Tags

edit_IMG_5000

About a year ago I came across Simplicity 5118 on Beki's blog, she made a precious version for her daughter's birthday, and I had to give it a try. I made several dresses from the pattern for the girls last summer. It's a very easy pattern and would be great for a beginner. No placket, no buttonholes, no sleeves to gather, no ties to make... it's EASY PEASY! Seriously, I love this pattern... easy & CUTE.

I knew exactly what fabric I wanted to use this go around:

edit_IMG_4952

edit_IMG_4954

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}.

edit_IMG_4987

EDIT_IMG_4988

When Morgan tried it on... all she wanted to do was dance!

editIMG_5003

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.


edit_IMG_4967


So I chose the #3 for size 3.

edit_IMG_4968


Then I placed a white ribbon under my foot with a piece of stabilizer under it. And stitched out a 3.

edit_IMG_4971


edit_IMG_4972


Then I trimmed the ribbon and folded it in half and basted the tag closed.

edit_IMG_4973


edit_IMG_4974


When I was closing up the casing in the neck of my dress I slipped the tag in.

edit_IMG_4982

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...

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have GOT to learn how to sew, but college leaves NO TIME for it!! I absolutely love those dresses!! GREAT JOB :)

Melissa Stover said...

those are so cute! you make me want to sew.

Danielle said...

Very cute! What is the reason for change #1. Why two backs instead of the front the pattern calls for?

Karen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

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

Debra said...

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???

pve design said...

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

Unknown said...

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

erika said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
erika said...

This makes me want 2 things:
1. a sewing machine
2. a 50mm lens

Precious post, precious dress, precious photos.

XO
Mommasis

blair said...

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!

Amy said...

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!

Anonymous said...

You may have mentioned this before, but what brand is your sewing machine?
Dresses are adorable, I want to make them.

Abby Maddox said...

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

Becky said...

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!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

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!!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Thanks for the great idea for tags - although with only one girl hopefully my husband can figure who belongs in the dress.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

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! :)

Amy S. Norris said...

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!

Caroline said...

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.

miranda said...

I am So going to make these for my girls. LOVE your blog, and I linked to this post in my most recent post.

LeslieW. said...

Very Cute! I love it as usual.

simply seleta said...

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!!!

nicole said...

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!

Amy Leigh said...

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

MIMILEE said...

You are just TOO smart, Darby! I love the dresses....just darling!

Ole Miss Mom said...

Do you use that machine as a serger too???

Jessica said...

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...

beki said...

Those dresses are precious! I need to pull that pattern out again.

Kasey said...

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.

Margaret said...

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.

Jade said...

such a cute little dress. and since you said easy, i'll give it a try! :)

Tiffany said...

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! : )

Ole Miss Mom said...

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!

Nicole said...

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!

Molly said...

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.

Pink Wallpaper said...

OMG, those are so cute...i must learn how to sew.

No.35style said...

that owl fabric is darling..you are so talented!

Nancy said...

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!

Whitney said...

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.

Jorge Miller said...

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

Risala Furniture said...

Great article this is very informative .......keep posting Thanks Regards
carpets in abu dhabi

albina N muro said...

You know your projects stand out of the herd. There is something special about them. It seems to me all of them are really brilliant! anfabrics.com/

Lisa Harris said...

Nice post and awesome collections. you can also check our leather jackets collection.