Tuesday 1 May 2012

Dresses, dresses, dresses...

It's the 1st May now, so I've finished April's sew-along with Kristy at Hopeful Threads, to support Dress A Girl Around the World. You have all been so supportive with your comments on the dresses I have made. Here's my last four dresses, which I finished last night, when it was still April. I'll be adding these photos to the Flickr group today. It's still April in most of the world, so I figure they've made it in time.

This dress was made with the Georgia Dress pattern from Little Lizard King. It's my least favourite of all the dresses I've made this month. If you remember my post, It's All in the Fabric, this may be why I was disappointed. Not to mention that I wasn't accurate with placing the fabric so it was symmetrical. It wouldn't be so noticeable if I hadn't chosen a fabric with two prominent stripes!!! The pattern definitely deserves another try. I love the ruffled bodice on this dress, so I'm going to make it up in another fabric and do a separate post with my thoughts on the pattern.

Another quick and easy pillowcase dress, this time made in about a girl's size 12 or maybe 14, according to the Dress A Girl Around the World measurements. Mum and I bought the fabric at an Op Shop (Thrift Store), last week. It's brand new fabric, but I'd say it's been around a long time, as the width is 36". I haven't seen fabric with such a narrow width for a quite a while. One thing about buying fabric in Op Shops, is that you don't know for certain what the fabric is made from. I'm guessing that this is 100% cotton, but as it is a little thin, I've lined the dress with more new fabric from the same Op Shop.

Dresses of this size just don't look as cute as the little dresses. Maybe 12 year olds don't want to look cute, but I think the dress could do with something else. Embellishments would help, as would making the ruffle in another colour, but I think the main piece of the dress is too long. It needs to be broken up. Next time I make a dress for the older girls, I'll look for design ideas over at Sew Delightful.  Suzanne is a Rep for Dress A Girl and makes the most gorgeous dresses. Here's just a few of the dresses she's made for this month.

How cute it this seersucker fabric? It's another purchase from the same Op Shop and again, new fabric. This dress is slightly shorter than the pink floral, but because of the fabric, I'm happier with the style. Red fabric from my stash was the obvious contrasting colour.

My last dress for the sew-along is this Peasant Dress, based on the Marilyn's Slim Fit Peasant Dress pattern from Create Kids Couture. As the fabric is thin, I've lined it, but deliberately left the bottom of the lining showing and added lace to the top layer. The patterned fabric was given to me by my Mum and was left over from a sewing project of hers many moons ago. The lace I won in a giveaway last year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my month of sewing little and not so little, dresses. For me, nothing beats sewing girlie garments. My aim was to sew 20 dresses. Well, I somehow miscalculated and made 21. I didn't want to finish with an odd number, so I kept going till 25. Yeah, I know that's an odd number, too, but 25 just sounds better than 21.

I'm at that stage in my life when it's time to give back. My time is mine to do with as I please. Some of my retired friends help with Meals on Wheels... I give back by sewing.

I am continually amazed at the amount of sewing that is done by women who are working and/or have children to look after. Have a look at the adorable dress made by Kate, from My Very Own Happy Ending. The fabric is very 70's inspired, but in a good way. I love it!!! Annie, from Peaches and Bees, has also sewn dresses with bright, fun fabric; two gorgeous pillowcase dresses. Both of these generous ladies are going to do some more sewing for Dress A Girl Around the World.

I'll continue to sew for the Australian representative for Dress A Girl Around the World, but not this month. This month is for ME!!! I'm joining in with Rikka, from Ricochet and Away, for the I Will Wear it in Public Garment Sewing Challenge. I'm sure I'll do some other sewing as well...

... Pam

15 comments:

  1. Wow 25 dresses, you are awesome Pam!
    Your Georgia Dress looks great, I'm looking forward to seeing the next one you make.

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  2. I am amazed at how many dresses you've finished this month. I love that Georgia dress, I haven't seen it around before and I think the fabric looks fine..

    I agree with you about the blandness of pillowcase dresses in the larger sizes.. to be honest, I was a bit put off by the whole Dress a Girl concept at one stage after watching a video where girls were given these long, sack like 'dresses'.. to me those 'dresses' weren't special enough, they really did look like two bits of fabric tacked together and the larger sizes emphasized that. ( ps, I don't think yours does as you've made a very pretty dress with contrasting binding and a ruffle but others don't)
    I like how most of the pillow case dresses you've made have other embellishments.
    I want to make some bigger dresses and have a kid size 12 dress (that I wear!) I want to draw a pattern from, completely different style but basically, something seems a bit NQR about those really big and long pillow case dresses to me.. I want to send a dress that I'd proudly wear!

    Can't wait to see what you sew for yourself!

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  3. Look forward to seeing the dress you make. Is this the one you were thinking of doing for the 'I Will Wear it in Public' challenge?

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  4. I've got my dresses sewn, but never got them posted. I just think Dress a Girl is such a great idea and you made a ton! A bunch of little girls are going to be so happy.

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  5. That is amazing that you made 25 dresses! So many little girls will appreciate them! They are all so lovely. My favorite of this bunch is the Georgia dress. I'll have to check out that pattern.

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  6. Pam!! You are so cool, I want to be like you when my children are grown!! :) I love the Georgia dress, the colours are so pretty and I like the gathered, ruffle, dealie at the bodice (that's a techinical sewing term "gathered-ruffle-dealie.") Yay you for 25 dresses!!!I agree with you about the pillowcase dresses for older girls. I think they are adorable on little ones. I think I will do peasant dresses next time for the bigger sizes. The love and care you put into your 25 dresses (25!!!) is evident in the pictures!! Can't wait to see what you will make this month!! xoxo

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  7. I have read this post several times and I am so impressed! I would like to sew some dresses too. How did you get started? Do I need to be in a group?

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    1. Hi Meggie, No need to be in a group. Make your dresses as per 'Dress A Girl' guidelines and sent to a rep near you...
      http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/dressmakingguidelines.htm
      If making pillowcase dresses here's some measurements (you can make other styles)...
      http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/dresssizechart.htm

      I made my first dress for 'Dress A Girl', as part of a competition run by Suzanne, over at 'Sew Delightful' . Suzanne is the Washington rep. Her details are on her blog... http://sewdelightful.blogspot.com/

      I then looked at the 'Dress A Girl' site (http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/) to find info and sent some dresses to the Australian rep.

      For this month's sew along with Kristy, from 'Hopeful Threads' (http://hopefulthreads.blogspot.com/), each person sent their dresses to the rep closest to them. Kristy does a new sew-along each month.

      Here's a link to the reps in the US... http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/meetourstateareareps.htm This gives contact details. If there's no one near you, I know Suzanne (Washington), would be happy to help.

      I'd love to see your dresses!!!

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  8. This is just fabulous Pam. I can't believe that April is over and I missed participating, but I am not giving up. I am still going to try my dress and send it along if it turns out at all. :)

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  9. Lovely dresses, so funny you couldn't make an odd number then made 25! Really looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the challenge this month.

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  10. You are truly an inspiration! They're all lovely.

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  11. wow...25 dresses! you are amazing Pam...you will make so many girls happy and I agree that you are truly a great inspiration to us all.
    I am sorry that I have not commented on your blog posts as much lately...I just came back from the English camp..and hope that my life will get back to normal again now. :)

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  12. My goodness, so many lovely dresses.......lucky little girls.......very inspiring.

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  13. So amazing, so many gorgeous dresses and such a worthwhile cause, I'm wondering if I have any pillowcases that will suit the job, I think I may be sorting out my linen cupboard this afternoon.

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  14. Wow, all your dresses are gorgeous! Such a great idea, I'll have to look into it, when I have a spare moment.

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