Monday, March 15, 2010

India's Easter Dress


India's Easter dress is done. 

And I must admit to LOVING IT!

India loves cameos, so we had to add this little cameo button to the front.

I think this dress just sings

SPRING


I know this does not show up well,
but I had to laugh when I read through the
notions requirements for this dress.

Yes!

In typical "India" fashion,
this dress requires boning!

India did not even notice that when she chose the pattern.

Yet everything India falls in love with has boning.

I keep a few boxes of featherweight boning on
hand at all times in my stash because I always seem to use it.

So, this is the "gratuitous boning shot".



The pattern repeat, and placement of the flowers,
is quite large. So in order to make the most
of the fabric, I had to "fussy cut" it.




I like how I was able to piece the top so that the
flowers were only in front.





While the bodice, was fully lined,
the pattern did not include skirt lining.

But any girl knows that dresses are the perfect
summer wear, with just a pair of sandals or flats.

That means, NO SLIP!

But I do not like being able to see someone's underpanties
through a dress.

So, prefer to line the skirts of dresses to keep
a smooth line, along with some modesty.



Adding the skirt lining was easy.

All I did was cut another skirt front and back
using the white lining fabric.

The inside of the dress shows no seams,
as the seams are hidden by the lining.

After attaching the skirt to the bodice,
and inserting the zipper,
I attached the skirt lining right at the waist seam.

Then all I had to do was to hand stitch the lining down at the zipper.

Instead of attaching a ruffle, like for the skirt,
I added this pre-gathered eyelet trim.


This is the lining hand stitched to the zipper.

The pink zigzag you see at the top of the picture is
just the underside of the attached
coral cotton lace on the bodice of the dress.


I cut the back pieces of the skirt so the flowers would not
be centered right over my daughters bum.

I am just funny that way, I guess.

All in all, I am really pleased with how this dress turned out.

It was worth the extra effort to make the muslin
and get a good fit.

I plan to sew up this same pattern,
Vogue 8185, in a denim version for India as well.

I will show you modeled pics when I get the accessories done.

But next up is Ahnalin's dress.

Oh, and the reason for the delay in getting this dress done?

Well, I have been doing a really fun bridal alteration.

I will show you all the completed alteration of the bridal dress after the wedding
so as not to spoil the surprise in case anyone from the bridal party happens upon my blog!

Heehee!!

Happy Sunny Monday! Easter is just 3 weeks away!!


20 comments:

Trina said...

Beautiful, Sivje! I wish I had a girl for you to sew for - I'd pay you well for such lovely work!

Trina

Unknown said...

it turned out so beautiful....it is like the fabric was made for the pattern! you are so talented!

Joanne Lendaro said...

Just another wonderful creation! The fabric selection was perfect, but you knew that already.

Lori said...

Beautiful dress for a lovely young lady. I feel the effort of fussy cutting is usually worth it too.

Easter is only 3 weeks away?!

I better finish my daughter's dress.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sivje, I LOVE it! India will look so pretty in that dress. I DEFINITELY want to borrow that pattern! A dress like that would go so well with some hand-made knee-highs and kicky Mary Jane heels... :D

Martha said...

so pretty!!!!!!! She will be beautiful in it. And its pink! We know I love pink these days.

Sew Pretty Dresses said...

I am sitting in my house alone reading your post talking out loud to my self "Oh So Pretty! I love it!" I like it a lot. I like the fabric and the simple lines of the dress. That is funny about the boning! Glad you had it on hand.
I cannot wait to see what you come up with next!
I am working on my daughters Easter dress this week too! But scandals of all scandals my serger broke. I spent my day at the quilt shop talking with the shop owner while she fiddled with it. She thinks it just needs an adjustment. Meanwhile on my way home I thought of a workaround. I am going to post about it when I have pics.
And I owe you an email!

Sewconsult said...

Great job. I like all the things you did to make it slip-less. I agree! If more moms cared what "showed" when their daughters went out in public, I think the fashion world would listen.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN

Bunny said...

Love how you matched up the flowers on the back. This is darling and you have really upped it up a notch with your lining and boning. I am sure India will be stunning in it.

Simone said...

I LOVE IT TOO! Do you need my measurements??? ;)

Banaghaisge said...

It is really pretty, and that fussy cutting is fabulous! Really like that little bit of broderie angalise lace on the lining - very clever and a delight.
Thank you for sharing - and for having a daughter with such style (wish I had one instead of six boyos...sigh!)

Simple Home said...

You are an incredible seamstress. This dress looks wonderful. I'm sure India is loving it. I love the lining too. I hate seeing pantie lines, but slips are just not fun in the summer.
Blessings,
Marcia

reimaginedtreasures.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful job, Sivje! I have been making dresses, too, and having a ball!

Melissa P said...

What a gorgeous use of Kaffe's fabric! I love the fussy cutting. It always adds that little undefinable extra touch. Have fun with the rest of your Easter sewing!

Laurie said...

Beautiful work, Sivje! I can't wait to see a picture of India modeling it! Your girls are sooo blessed to have a mom that can sew beautiful garments for them and to also take the extra time for a perfect fit!

Laura L. said...

That's a really cute dress. I love it that the dress was able to go outside for the photo shoot. LOL

Red Hen said...

It's gorgeous! You are so talented and your girls are blessed to have you to make them beautiful wardrobes.

Julia said...

i truly love this dress! The fabric is so pretty. India will be a beautiful vision on Easter.

Jennifer said...

look at all the lovely comments Sivje
you are a sewing and blogging star..love the lines of this dress and the fabric is so pretty...all my best, Jennifer

Ruth said...

I love India's dress!!!! Especially the fabric and fussy-cut loveliness. Nice work!