Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Stitch a Seam: Summer Sundress!

       Because I was so fussy about my outfits as a young lady, I now do not have the nerve to buy my granddaughters a dress. But I do remember one outfit that was fun to wear! When I saw bolts of material at JoAnn's with elasticized tops that needed only ONE seam to turn it into a sundress...and on sale half price...I thought I would gamble! More than that, it was a stitching craft the children could complete in a short period with success.



       Earlier, I made a quick stop at the store to assess the children's taste, to gather their comments as to what colors and designs they like. I bought about 5" less than a yard after using my hands to suggest to the clerk the children's sizes. The lady cut through the elastic and then ripped the rest. "That is how these frocks-to-be should be cut. And by the way, leave a little larger-than-usual seam binding so that next year you can rip out the seam to enlarge to wear another year," she contributed.

       At home, we measured the outfits, and cut some more. We pinned the sides; and I showed Hannah how to keep her seam straight, by eyeing a marking near the feed dogs. After fitting, we checked where she wanted the hem since she wanted a short rather than a long dress. What we cut off became straps. Then I showed her how to fold the hem twice, for a small hem with perfectly colored thread. She stitched the hem beautifully. I made wrap-the-neck straps she designed.

         Erika sat in my lap to move the fabric to be sewn. She wanted straight straps over the shoulder and thankfully I had some yellow bias tapes to use. They know what they want! I measured and sewed her 2" hem.

       Hannah also had a black and white skirt that had a 2-inch-wide elastic black band. She would find a top for it at home. The girls wore the one or two hour sundresses home and to a cook-out that night. It is WARM in Boston! David did not want a dress. He wants a Batman shirt! I wonder if he would settle for a pillowcase?

Click photos to enlarge. X to close out.

14 comments:

  1. What a great afternoon. Now I want to know--where is Linda in her dress?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll bet that David would love a Batman pillowcase! Brilliant notion. The dresses are so charming and look beautiful on the pretty girls. That skirt is darling, too! Several years ago my granddaughter made one of these sundresses. I'm sure it is too small for her now; wish I'd thought about that trick the saleslady told you to try--wider seams so it could be let out. Really nice photographs on this fun post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't believe that such a simple dress to make looks so great! Of course, cute models do help!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Too cute! Love the dresses and superman KB-B

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great dresses and I love the tree of life. When I went on a cruise to Turkey we bought an old prayer rug with that design! JL

    ReplyDelete
  6. What darling dresses! How lucky the girls are to have you who can sew. Get busy and make that Batman shirt.
    S.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The kids are so cute and getting to be grown
    up. Love the girl's dresses and nice for them to be a part of the sewing and
    design. They look cool! A good thing these days. JMD

    ReplyDelete
  8. As I've told you from other emails and pictures - these are darling girls wearing darling dresses, inspired by a darling grandmother :). ss - the Lynnist

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Linda,
    I love the girls dresses. Such fun for them to make.

    I bet they would all love making pillowcases. I love doing them because in just a bit of time you have a finished item. ES

    ReplyDelete
  10. adorable Linda and I had a dress just like that w my girlfriends and sister we made ourselves in a hot summer when I was 17 :) wish I had a picture to show it to you :) AK-K

    ReplyDelete
  11. The pictures are darling. Your descriptions of making the dresses together with the girls are wonderful. David...what a charmer!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Agree with Trilla--Where is our lovely Linda in her new sundress??
    I envy your group, Linda. You amaze me.
    Love you very much,
    Ruth Anne

    ReplyDelete