Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Favorite Things

I recently bought a new pattern from Favorite Things. After placing my order, I waited patiently for it to arrive. Well, I tried to wait patiently. This dress just looked so... cute! I wondered, "What is taking this so long?" And then it arrived. From Canada. Ahhh... mystery solved.

I've had a piece of green calico in my stash for about 8 years. I decided it would make a great "muslin". Especially because I was undecided about which size to make. Does this happen to anyone else? I have the hardest time determining what size to follow.



I chose the larger of the two. I always do, and I'm always sorry. You would think I would learn from my mistakes, wouldn't you? It's big, but not so much that I won't wear it. I have two extra yards of the green calico, and I plan on making Abigail a skirt to coordinate with me.


17 comments:

Kelley said...

Love the pattern Tracy and the dress is so very pretty and feminine!
Wishing you a blessed evening!

Kittee said...

It's lovely! I love it! I exclaimed "Oh look she made a dress!" To my husband who promptly gave me a strange look. LOL

As far as the sizing, couldn't you take it in a little or add princess seams to fit it a bit better? That would solve the problem I think, but then again I am a beginner at sewing. It really is beautiful and that green is stunning. :)

I plan on working on some quilted bags tonight or perhaps another wrap skirt out of that blue jean material I've been holding for a few weeks now tonight. I do have a dress pattern though and some material for it...perhaps I should make the dress first and we can compare! How fun!

God bless!
-Kittee

Stacie said...

What a cute dress! I like the colors too. =)

Momala said...

Cute dress! I've been wanting to do more clothes sewing, I haven't really sewn any clothing in years. Maybe I should just jump in and try! I've been wanting to make a skirt for a while.

What pattern do you use to make skirts?

Tracy said...

Kittee,

I'm not sure that princess seams would work with this. To take it in I'd have to rip the whole thing apart, which I might feel like doing later, but today, NO! Can't wait to see YOUR dress!

Tracy said...

Momala,

Lately I've been using the book Sew What! Skirts. It teaches you how to draft your own patterns.

Lori said...

Very pretty. You did a nice job. You are very talented.
I will say it again, I sure wish I knew how to sew.

Kelli said...

It's so pretty, Tracy! The calico print is lovely!
~Kelli

randi said...

Cute dress! Favorite things has such cute patterns!

I always have a hard time with sizing too. Generally I measure myself and then I have to make a size quite a bit bigger than what I buy in the store, which is a mental strain for me. Silly, I know, but true!

Momma Roar said...

What a cute pattern and I really like those fabrics.

I purchased my fabric to make a wrap skirt from the Sew what! Skirts book...but I'm stalling...:)

Tracy said...

What a very pretty dress. Not too fussy, but very attractive.

I've been doing a bit of sewing for Miss Mischief again this week ~ she wants warm winter dresses so I'm nearly finished sewing a pinwhale corduroy print into a dress for her. At some point soon I'll get it finished and post a picture too!

Karen said...

I always have the hardest time sewing for myself. I end up using the larger size as well, and despise taking seams back out! I've made a few items from the size I thought I was, only to be disappointed in the results. I now carefully go by the complete measurements on the back of the pattern.
I actually do like my dresses to be a bit on the large side as they're more comfortable to me. Your dress is lovely, and I really love the pattern you chose.

Karen said...

What a lovely dress, Tracy! And what beautiful greens you chose! I'm working on a new dress, too, using an old pattern that I had in my stash from years ago and some calico that I've been storing for too many years. One technique from my dress that *might* work for your dress is to add two little tucks on each side of the front and on the back just a little below the bust line. That might help you evenly handle the extra fullness, at least in the top part. Just a thought...

Jodi said...

What a pretty design! Yes! I have trouble picking a pattern size (but then I have the same problem when I'm shopping ~ so ...) and I love outfits that match my daughters ~ sweet!

Beck said...

That dress IS pretty - I'd like one myself! COuld you put in some tucks or something? (I don't know sewing!)

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That is a cute dress - the color is very nice on you. Do you have a link to the company you bought the pattern from?

Tracy said...

Mrs. Rabe,
If you click on the words, "Favorite Things" in the post, it will take you to the website. The pattern is called Prairie Girl.