If You Give your Sister a Cookie...

It's a new season over at Project Run and Play and there are some very talented designers! I wasn't planning on sewing along, but I couldn't help myself and had to join in the fun! I had a great time as a designer last season, but it is fun just to sew for fun and not have to stress about a design each week!

The theme for week two is 'Crafting a Story,' and you are supposed to "weave elements of your favorite children's storybook" into your design. If you know me, I love reading and there are lots of books I enjoyed reading as a child. I asked my siblings what their favorite book was, but they were not helpful as they told me "I don't know!" They like reading too, so I guess there are too many books for them to just choose one favorite!

I finally decided on "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Numeroff. There are other stories in this series, but I think the cookie one is my favorite. It is a cute story and tells what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. The mouse in the story wears a simple outfit of overalls, so I used that as my inspiration for my outfit this week.

I was not looking at making a costume, but something that could be worn everyday. I also wanted to make it for my sister. While girls can wear overalls, I wanted to make a more feminine/girly outfit too. I decided on a pinafore dress similar to the one I made myself a few years ago. I made a few changes to the original design by adding a square "bib" to the front to mimic the design of overalls. I added a pocket to the bib and made a little cookie out of corduroy and ric rack. It's not a chocolate chip cookie, but the book never specifies! I sewed two layers the the cookie to make it pop out a little and appear more 3D. I was making it up as I went, so I am really happy with how this turned out!

The straps cross in the back and stay in place with the buttons in the front. The skirt has an invisible side seam zipper to make for easy on and off. The skirt is very full but it looks cute on little girls! It was cut four times my sister's hip measurement and then gathered.

My favorite part is the fabric. It appears to be denim, which is the look I was going for, but it is actually cotton! I've had it in my stash forever and never had quite the right project for it. I'm glad I saved it until now! It will be perfect for spring as well since it is not heavy like real denim.

The hardest part of sewing this dress was that I made it at my apartment away from my sister. I had her most recent measurements, but it is hard when you can't try things on as you go, especially when there is no pattern involved! I'm so glad it is a perfect fit!

Of course, this photoshoot wouldn't be complete without milk and cookies!

I had a fun time making this dress and taking these pictures!

Happy first day of spring too! As you can see, it doesn't look much like spring around here. I'm hoping it will be here soon!

~Elizabeth

Another Cheyenne Tunic

I seem to be sewing everything in doubles this year! This is my second Cheyenne and I hadn't planned on making it until spring or summer. However, Grace of Maker Mountain Fabrics recently hosted a sewalong over on instagram and facebook. I decided to join in the fun and I'm so glad I did! I love my new shirt! 

Check out that matching plaid! Plaid matching can be tedious work, but I really enjoy it because the end result is worth it. Unfortunately, my sleeve cuffs didn't match, but progress, not perfection. 

My first Cheyenne tunic was the button down version, so for this one I decided to do the half placket, no collar version with 3/4 length sleeves. I really like the length of the sleeves when rolled up and I will probably wear it this way most of the time.

I cut the yoke, front placket, and pocket on the bias. I like the interest it adds and it also means I didn't have to match the plaid!

The fabric is a cotton shirting from Cali Fabrics. It has my favorite color in it - turquoise - which is why I bought it. It is nice and light and will be perfect for wearing this spring and summer. It's not quite warm enough to wear outside yet!

I sewed this Cheyenne in a straight size medium. Last time I had graded out to the hips at the large. I think the medium works well. It is somewhat loose fitting, but that is how the pattern was intended.

The sewalong forced me to slow down and really enjoy the sewing process! I like to sew fast and finish projects as quickly as I can. Sometimes, that's okay, but for projects like this you really should take your time and enjoy the process from cutting to finish!

~Elizabeth

Fringe Dress // Sewing for my Sister

Hello! It's safe to say that the Fringe dress from Chalk and Notch is one of my favorite patterns. I have made it three times now. The first time was the top version in view A, the second was my Christmas maxi velvet dress (unblogged) and this is the third time.

I made view B for this Fringe dress. My sister is 15 years old and she fit almost perfectly into the size 4. Her waist measurement was an inch different, so I reduced the width of the darts following the directions in the pattern. I also added the waist ties to the back darts. It is a perfect fit!

Another change I made to the pattern was to lengthen the skirt by four inches. My sister is tall and I wanted the skirt to hit a little below knee length. I sewed the bodice with French seams and finished the other seams with my sewing machine.

The waist ties help to add some shaping to the waist. 

It was a super windy day while we were taking these pictures, but you can see the shape of the hem in this one. It is slightly curved on the sides.

Previously, I have made the button front version of the Fringe dress, but I love this notched version too! It makes for an easy pullover dress! I made sure to use lots of pins while sewing the facing, and it came out nearly perfect! 

My sister's favorite part of this dress are the pockets! Every girl needs pockets in her dresses/skirts!

The fabric is a very drapey rayon challis from Joann Fabrics. We bought it at least five years ago when it was on sale. It's been prewashed and sitting in the stash ever since. My mom originally bought it intending to use it for my sister, but it just took a few years! 

The fabric is pretty, but it was a pain to work with! Parts of it were off grain and it was almost impossible to make it lay straight when cutting. I think the print helps to hide the fabric issues though and it looks cute on my sister!

This dress will be my sister's Easter dress this year! It will also be the perfect dress for summer too.

~Elizabeth