This month for the Carefree Clothes for Girls Sew-a-Long, we sewed the dress with quilted bodice. It is pretty much identical to this dress that we made for month 2, but with a quilted bodice. Hence the name. This was one of my top 2 favorite things from this book, so I was excited to make it. Not so excited that I didn’t still procrastinate till the 29th to start it though.
I don’t know if this one will count as a contest entry, because I didn’t embellish it in any way. I just loved it too much the way it was. I love the soft, nubby cotton gauze that I used, and I especially love that I found it for €1/meter. The hand quilted bodice turned out so sweet and I love that it looks handmade, but not in a bad way (I hope). Ok, I used the word “love” a lot in that paragraph. But, at the risk of Susan’s eyes rolling out of her head, this just might be my favorite thing I’ve ever made (I say that about nearly everything I make. It’s only the most recent one that counts.)
I did end up skipping those cursed button loops and just did button holes instead. I am so over button loops, I can’t even tell you guys. It’s like 14 more steps than just putting in button holes. I could stare at the diagram in this book for the rest of my life and still not know how to crochet them with thread. And then after all that work, I don’t think the finished product is even very sturdy.
So, to sum up, I heart button holes and button loops are now public enemy #1. Consider yourselves warned.
This is the only problem with starting a project 2 days before the due date: no time to buy matching buttons.
I also widened the ruffled cap sleeves a little bit and didn’t use any contrast fabric. Actually, I’m not sure what I might’ve done differently, since I stopped paying attention to the directions about half way through. I think maybe the ruffle was supposed to be in contrast fabric? Or the sleeves? Anyway, I love the way it came out, so that’s all the matters.
I also love the way it’s going to look this fall and winter.
My freshly turned 4 year old seems to love it too :)
Stacey says
So adorable. Kinda Paulie-Annish. I love the non-matching buttons and am highly impressed with the hand quilting. I couldn’t sew a straight line if my life depended on it. Z is so lucky to have such a talented mommy.
By the way, do you know if there is a Carefree Clothing for Boys book?
Ady says
That is so pretty.
Amy says
Oh, that is a most precious dress! I have to get my hands on that book! The material is perfect for it.
Simply Mommy says
That dress is adorable!
The Sewing Dork says
I like the classic style of that – you’ve done a great job!
Suzanne says
Very, very sweet looking!
Bethany says
If I were you I wouldn’t do a thing different either!! Looks adorable!
Very Verdant says
Oh, this is beautiful and I love the mix match buttons.
Erica says
What a pretty dress! I love the ruffles at the hemline!
Melissa says
It looks great! I changed around my pattern too. I was standing in the fabric store trying to decide whether to change the pattern or pick different fabric. I changed the pattern :) That was the real challenge anyway. Make it your own! Great job!
Ana says
Beautiful work! I was checking out this book on Amazon the other day and noticed some negative comments about the lack of detailed instructions. Would you recommend this book to an advanced beginner? Thank you!
crafterhours says
Hi Ana,
I couldn’t find another way to reach you, so I hope you see this. I definitely recommend it! I actually found the graphic instructions easier to follow than the written ones. And although there have been 1 or 2 steps that I just could not figure out, I was able to make them up and it worked out fine. I think that’s actually one of the nice things about these patterns – you can’t really mess them up, and if you don’t do it the “right” way, that’s ok. They’d be great practice for an advanced beginner, and they’ll really help you understand the basics of pattern drafting too. (caveat: that chemise that we made last month was pretty awful. You basically had to draft the whole thing yourself, and I ended up with something that was too big around the neck and too tight around the belly. I wouldn’t recommend that one.)
Kelly's Korner says
Darling! I love the little under skirt peeking out!
Anna says
so sweet and that fabric is just perfect for the dress!
Tanya says
YOU and the good fabric deals…..!!!
This dress is beautiful — and I love it. I say “love” a lot, too. ;-) I also agree with your book review up above regarding the patterns — the graphics are the key to getting anything done at all. Written instructions are almost a puzzle, sometimes.