Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Lucy's Little Flower Dress...


This is my second time making Lucy's Little Flower Dress, on this occasion as a gift for a little baby. And now that the outfit has reached it's destination, I can show you. 



The first time I sewed this dress, I made the dress length, with a ruffle. Little bloomers peeking out look so cute on toddlers, so this time, I've made the shorter tunic length, in a size one.


Don't be put off with the shirring around the neckline and armholes. I procrastinated about shirring for a long time, before I made my first Lucy's Little Flower Dress, but to my delight, the shirring was very easy to do. 

I believe it can sometimes be a little harder with machines that have top loading bobbins, but I've also heard there are ways of overcoming this. 
  • Can anyone elaborate on shirring with machines that have top loading bobbins? 
  • If you've tried shirring, I'd love you to leave a comment about your experiences... me, I'm hooked!!! Your experiences may help other readers.


One of the reasons I chose Lucy's Flower Dress, is that the first dress was SO easy to take on and off; a definite plus for a toddler.

I thought about adding a little shirred pocket in a contrasting fabric, but I couldn't decide on the fabric to use. Besides, a toddler probably wouldn't use it anyway.


The dress has been teamed with a pair of bloomers, made using the 30 Minute Shorts pattern. As with previous bloomers, I've simply added shirring to the legs instead of a hem.

Both of these patterns are available from Create HOPE Designs, an organisation supporting orphans and their communities. Head on over to their Etsy store or BigCartel to see the other pattern that are available; all for $5 USD... guilt free pattern shopping helping needy children.

If you sew with a Create HOPE Designs pattern this month, not only will you feel good, you will be in the running to win some AWESOME prizes; some really awesome prizes. 

For a chance to win, all you have to do is:

Hopeful Threads

... Pam

20 comments:

  1. Lindsay24 September 2013 at 02:14

    Great job!! My old machine was top-loading and worked just fine to do shirring, but I only did it a few times.

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  2. Sandra :)24 September 2013 at 02:27

    Hmmmmmmmmmmm I've never done a project with shirring as it doesn't look like a technique I could do --- it looks very difficult, and I just can't imagine winding a bobbin with elastic - it boggles the mind, lol. It looks like you mastered the technique though - some little muffin-ette is going to look mighty adorable in that outfit!

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  3. Gina's Craft Corner24 September 2013 at 04:03

    Very cute, Pam. I have so many baby gifts to make! This would be a cute one! Thanks for letting us know about Create Hope Designs too! I'll have to check that out. :)

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    Replies
    1. Pam @Threading My Way24 September 2013 at 20:29

      Thanks, Gina. Create Hope Designs are well worth checking out.

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  4. Unknown24 September 2013 at 04:38

    Cute! I love bloomers on little ones.

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  5. Stone Cottage Adventures24 September 2013 at 05:22

    Adorable!! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

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  6. Jenya @ While she was sleeping24 September 2013 at 07:20

    Such a beautiful little set Pam :) Well done :) Love the shirring detail :)

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  7. Margaret 24 September 2013 at 10:08

    Hi Pam, I just joined Amy's "Sewing for Children" google community, and here I am visiting you in Australia. Neat! Love this project. Now I am going to enjoy reading the rest of your blog.

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  8. Cassandra24 September 2013 at 21:35

    Thanks again Pam for this gorgeous gift! I can't wait to put it on baby and show off the pics :-)
    You've done a fantastic job with the shirring! It's funny, I've seen alot of people lately saying that they've only just attempted shirring, that it looked tricky etc. It was the one technique that I just jumped in head first with! I was much more intimidated by zippers. lol.
    I'll have to share this post on my page ;-)
    Thanks again xo

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  9. Roslyn24 September 2013 at 22:05

    Gorgeous little outfit Pam! Stephanie will look so lovely in it. I tried shirring for the first time recently. I found it so much easier than I expected. I have a bottom loading bobbin so I have no advice there I'm afraid!

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  10. Cindy24 September 2013 at 23:50

    Precious outfit, Pam! The print is so dainty and feminine.:)

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  11. Magda25 September 2013 at 20:00

    So adorable Pam.

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  12. Annie26 September 2013 at 16:24

    Sweet little outfit! You have created a lovely gift any mom would appreciate.
    My shirring errors were made by me and not my top loading machine. I was winding the elastic too loose. Once I winded the elastic correctly, the machine took care of the rest!

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  13. Wendy30 September 2013 at 00:28

    oh that is just adorable!

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  14. Diana of Diana Rambles30 September 2013 at 09:49

    Adorable!

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  15. Elise Engh1 October 2013 at 23:03

    This is cute! I don't have a lot of experience with shirring, but the last time I tried it I had to wind the elastic thread on the bobbin tightly with my machine to get it to work. Everything I had read said to wind it loosely by hand, but that didn't work for me. It seems like it really depends on your machine. best of luck!

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  16. Unknown2 October 2013 at 00:33

    Soooo cute!

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  17. Abby4 October 2013 at 00:59

    Super cute! The little ruffle is so adorable!

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  18. Connie Kresin Campbell4 October 2013 at 06:46

    This is so delicate and precious! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  19. Mel@Mellywood's Mansion7 October 2013 at 22:05

    Thats so so pretty! I have a drop in bobbin I'm not sure if that's considered top loading but I did a little practise shirring a while back turned out fine, ill let you know when I do some actual sewing

    ReplyDelete

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