another summer dress and a jumper

Here is another pretty little summer dress, like these.  This one was made quite a while ago, but Hannah looked so darling in it the other day, that I had to snap a few photos.  I love the orange/purple combination with the large motif (I think the fabric is Amy Butler).  And the shirring?  Simple and so fun!  Try it if you haven't!   

This is how:  First, cut the fabric to a length about 5 inches longer than you want the dress to be, leaving the width of 45 inches.  Sew a tube from the fabric, folding it right sides together, along the existing width of the fabric.  Iron and hem the edges, and then wind elastic thread onto the bobbin by hand.  Then, begin about a half-inch from the top of the dress, and sew on the right side of the fabric from the top down, in a spiral pattern, leaving about a quarter inch between stitch rows.  Continue sewing in the spiral pattern until the shirring is as long as you'd like it to be.  When finished, make sure and back-stitch several times, so the elastic stitching doesn't come undone.  Then, use the steam setting on your iron, or spray with water and iron.  The steam makes the shirring shrink up. 

After I have the tube, I add straps for sleeves, or use Dana's method of adding puffed sleeves to the shirred dress.  I basically cut into the shirring and sew on the sleeves.  Then I sew more shirring on the arm opening, and on the shoulder.  Easy, peasy!!  I love these darling summer dresses and I'm sure we'll be making more for next year! 

Here are a couple of photos of MADE's shortie pattern, sewn up for last year's beach trip.  I made a few of them from old t-shirts, and they turned out darling!  Great pattern, Dana!   

   

I wore my summer dress again last Sunday, and I still love it!  (My pattern from Built by Wendy Dresses.)  I LOVE summer dresses, but I'm getting excited for some fall and Christmas sewing.  I've already picked out some new fine wale corduroy for Christmas dresses, and some ticking stripe fabric for cute fall girly duds.  Can't wait to get started!!  

But first, it's review week, and then we start a new year of homeschool next week!  Busy, busy!  I'm sure I can sneak in some sewing time though...I always do!