A princess dress for my little princess

Actually she is my little great nice, Alexa. She has a “princess” themed birthday party to go to this weekend. And of course I had to make her the perfect princess dress. I started with this fun pattern from Simplicity.
The dresses are all pretty, but a bit too much. So, I combined views C and D to get the final look, a more streamlined dress. The pattern instructions were a bit confusing, especially because I was taking a bit here and a bit there. And of course I serged the tulle strips together, instead of sewing them, like the pattern instructed. Nothing like a fine rolled edge to finish tulle.
I think it turned out pretty nice. I was hoping that Alexa would model it for me so that I can take a few snapshots. But she wasn’t in the mood. I’ll try to sneak a couple when she puts it on for the birthday party.
 
A pretty bow in the back.

This Messenger Rocks

The December embroidery club project and designs are up and ready for download, click here to get to the download page. The idea for this slim messenger bag came to me last winter. While my husband and I were travelling to our fave sun spot in Mexico, it occurred to me that a messenger bag would be sooo much easier to travel with, than my bulky tote. And so this lovely appliquéd bag was born. Notice I used a print for the appliqué, how fun is that? Because the appliqué shape is quite simple, the print fabric makes it really pop. Oh, and I used the same print on the inside of the bag.

Look, it includes a zippered pocket, plus a credit card pocket to keep all your stuff completely organized. And those of you who know me, know that I have a bit of an obsessive compulsive disorder. Anyhoo, love this bag. Have been using it since I made it. Only thing I missed on my sample is extra stabilizer underneath the magnetic snap. Don’t know what I mean? Don’t worry, here is an easy “how to”.

The other thing I love about this bag is the way the base is done. No, stop, I’ve said too much, don’t want to spoil the sewing surprise. Have fun making it.

All Rolled Up

The July Embroidery Club project and designs are up and ready for download. I loved the final project, but I will warn you it was a bit tricky. There are lots of bits and pieces. Keeping track of them was the challenge. So take your time making this little gem.



The inside has two zippered pockets, a ring bar and a bracelet bar. I like the plastic canvas to hold earrings; be sure to choose a finer canvas.

Patricia made a little change to her Jewelry Roll, "instead of ribbon I used my 1-inch bias binder maker and my pansy fabric to make a quarter inch wide strip and top stitched it on both sides. This jewelry roll will get a lot of use and I wasn't sure how the ribbon would hold up. The ribbon would be easier and quicker. I really like the monogram design option and may have to make a sample of that before my next class. What a nice gift that would make for a special family member or friend!!"

Summer Fun Dress!

These pretty shirred sundresses were made by Robyn Thompson, from Sault Ste Marie, and her students. She writes, "Here are the sundresses we made. I love them! they are so much fun to make and the embroidery on the straps is really cute. I am going to make one now out of a pastel gradient fabric and think I will embroider the straps with different coloured daisies to match the colours in the fabric. Lisa's dress has embroidered straps, mine has plain and Laura's has the daisies on top of the plain strap." 

Thanks Robyn, the dresses are lovely.