I finally finished my entry for the Pattern Review Children/Babies Contest!!! I almost didn’t make the deadline. Cut off for entries was at 12 midnight and barely got my review up by 11:54pm. Boy! Talk about cutting it close. I didn’t procrastinate or anything. I tried to work on it a little bit everyday or at least research the new skills that the pattern was constantly throwing my way. (The pattern says, “Quick and Easy” – Hah!!!!) There were just sooooo many new skills for me to learn that it took me forever to complete.
Now, all poopy complaining aside (I mean, afterall, I did make the deadline). This really was an excellent pattern to learn on – one of the reasons why I love vintage patterns. The shape of the design was a simple A-line, but it had 2 front pleats which I’d never done before. The arm holes required bias tape which I’d made before, but it required slip-stitching which I had not. I also got to do button holes, but I couldn’t figure out how to use my button hole attachement on my machine (for some reason I couldn’t get my 3/4″ button inside of the slot). So, I had to improvise by placing the machine on a button hole setting and length, but then used a regular attachment and just eye-balling the stitch placement. Not fun at all, but the button holes came out nicely. I also learned how to ease in fulness at the hemline by using a gathering stitch. There were other techniques that I was able to practice, but the ones I just listed were all new to me.
Finally: The little hat. The dress looked kind of plain by itself, so at the last minute (around 9pm last night) I decided to try to make a hat. I figured that if I messed up the hat, at least I’d have the dress for the entry. I’m so glad that it turned out like I wanted. I also added ribbon and contrasting fabrics to change things up a bit.
The only downside is that I only have this pattern in size 3. I’d like to make it in a size 6, but don’t know how to. In the meantime, I have a size 3 dress and hat that need to go to a good home. Or, maybe I’ll just keep it to remind me that I can do anything I put my mind to as long as I don’t give up!
Fabric Sources: Bodice/Side panels- 100% cotton from Fabric.com. Floral fabric for hat and front panel came from a vintage sheet.
See more pics here
-Calandra
