Red Dragon Smocked Dress

One of my favorite little girls requested

a red dress with a dragon smocked onto it.

I searched and searched and had no success finding

a smock plate with a dragon,

nor one with Chinese lanterns.

She is the same age as my Ahnalin and both girls

love the strong girl warrior of Chinese legend

depicted in the Disney movie "Mulan".

We decided to let the movie influence my smocking.

As there is no pattern for this character,

I just started smocking free hand,

 to see how the little dragon

would arrive on the fabric. 

And he arrived full of personality!

 

 The Chinese lanterns were actually

a machine embroidery file that I purchased.

I had not machine embroidered on pleated fabric

before, but I think it worked well.

She requested her name to be embroidered on the skirt

in gold thread and Chinese style writing.

I hemmed the dress with my favorite growth tuck

hem treatment.

 

As she has a December birthday, she prefers

her dresses to have long sleeves and 

twirly skirts have been her preference as well.

 

Long sleeve cuffs with star button and 

candy cane corded piping. 

The angle of the picture is weird

and the piping is folding all wonky because 

I was holding with one hand and taking

the picture with my phone. 

I think I should have asked someone to 

take the photo for me!

This is the back of the dress.

I am now remembering why I never posted these

photos last year. 

I was thrilled with how the dress turned out,

be the photos were so awful.  

I think I need some photography help!

 

I have several other creations from the 

last year that I never shared.

I need to get busy and post them!

For today, I am making a blue raw silk

dress for India to wear to a gala this weekend.

I PROMISE I will post photos when I finish the dress.

Happy Sewing. 

 

For A Little University of Michigan Fan

I adore jonjons and longalls on little boys.

But I do not have a little boy of my own to wear them.

I have sewn many over the years for my nephew and for custom orders. 

So when I received an email from a friend requesting a longall with 

the University of Michigan "M" embroiderd on the front, 

I got excited.

I struggled with the colors and finding the right fabric here.

I ended up visiting a famous-yet-new-to-me store in Berkeley called 

Stonemountain and Daughter. Oh wow! That is a lovely store!

This is actually a dark royal blue 100% cotton woven gingham,

even though it looks very dark navy. 

I purchased the embroidery design off Etsy.

And those "maize" buttons came from Britex in San Francisco. 

Sigh. Britex. My happy place. 

The customer had requested a full lining, so I used a lovely 100% cotton

sheeting from Stonemountain and Daughter. 

I am very fussy about matching my plaids and ginghams at seam lines. 

I fussy cut each peice individually and pin every inch or so, 

to insure that the fabric doesn't shift while I sew. 

I wanted to make sure this outfit fit it's little owner for a long time, 

So I cut the legs long,so they would cuff at the hem for now,

But be unrolled as he grew.

I hope to receive a photo of this little guy in his outfit. 

He will be wearing it this weekend while his whole family gathers

to cheer on their favorite team. 

Happy Sewing!

Sivje

Pretty Bridesmaid Dress For Stesha

 

This lovely lady is going to be a bridesmaid

in her sister's wedding in a few months.

And I was blessed to sew her dress for her.

I get to sew her younger sister's matching dress as well.

They are both just gorgeous girls!

 They chose Butterick 5457 for the dress pattern,

and we made a few modifications.

I made a muslin for each girl,

and I am so glad I did.

According to the measurements,

Stesha would have worn a size 12,

yet a size 6 completely swam on her.

If the pattern had come in a size 2,

that may have been close to fitting her.

I am showing the dress on my child size 7/8

mannequin. 

I had to keep taking it in and taking it in,

so that muslin was pretty marked up

by the time I cut into the shantung.

I love how the bodice is tucked.

The pleats are sewn at the top and 

where the bodice meets the midruff,

but they are loose through the length of the bodice.

But the pleated bodice and rouched

midriff really make a lovely, feminine garment.

This doesn't show up very well,

but there is a small ruffle of shell pink organza sewn

to the lining under the skirt.

I love the ethereal look it gives. 

I cut 3 inches off the bottom 

of the lining front and back pieces.

Then I cut the ruffle strips 7 inches long by the full

width of the organza fabric.  

I sewed two strips together  and then

folded them over, encasing the seams, 

so the organza was doubled.

Then I slightly gathered the doubled strip

and attached it to the bottom of the lining,

serging it in place.

I took many notes on the changes I made to this pattern,

so I can reproduce it for the next dress.

I really liked this pattern, 

but I am so very glad I made a muslin.

I get a little frustrated with how inaccurate

the sizing is in the major pattern companies.

But the end result was a really pretty dress.

And I think it showcases Stesha's beauty quite well.

If you have not entered my giveaway for the current
issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine,
where you will find an article that I co-wrote,
go enter HERE.

Happy Sewing!

The Chiffon Bridal Jacket

Last week I received a phone call from the

sweetest bride.

Her name is Jo and she is a beautiful blond lady.

I should have taken a photo of her in her lovely

steel blue embroidered silk cocktail dress.

But Jo is a tad more mature than the average bride.

And she wanted to cover her arms during her wedding.

So she was referred to me by a local fabric store.

She arrived with a little bit of periwinkle blue chiffon

and, together, we sketched out the "illusion" 

jacket she envisioned.

She wanted something light and airy,

as her nuptials will 

occur on June 30, here in Sonoma County, CA.

She didn't want to obscure the lovely lace of her gown.

She wanted to be able to dance,

so the illusion jacket needed to allow freedom of movement.

She wanted it to float on the breeze.

Jo came this morning to pick up her jacket 

and she was glowing with happiness.

She said it was exactly as she envisioned.

I was greatly relieved!

Now, for the story behind the jacket............

You see, last week, while sewing some 

throw pillows out of heavy upholstery fabric

and chunky piping, for a client,

my trusty Janome Memory Craft 9700

went on strike!

So, she is at the spa getting refreshed.

Thankfully, both of my girls have

sewing machines!

So, I sewed several custom apron orders

and this jacket on a

Hello Kitty Janome

and a Disney Brother sewing machine.

Yes, really!

I sewed French seams on the jacket

and hand stitched the neckline, front, and hem.

I am praying my Janome is ready this week because

I have a lot of sewing to do.

Today, we are going to see "Brave" 

and then I have 4 stools to reupholster for 

our church's high school room.

Now, if only I could find my upholstery tools........

Happy Sewing!

 

A Rosy Easter Dress For Naya

 I just love this little dress!

And it will soon be worn by a lovely little lady

named Naya.

Her mama pinned the Darla rose 

fabric by Tanya Whelan to her Pinterest 

board and asked if I could make her daughter 

a dress with it.

I found about 2/3 of a yard in my stash!

Oh my was I thrilled!

I haven't seen this fabric available 

for purchase for quite some time.

And I had about the same amount of 

the green dot print too!

Thankfully, the lovely lady 

only wears a size 2.

So I was able to create 

this confection just for her!

I wish I had another bolt

of each of these beautiful fabrics.

But I am so happy that 

this little frock is on

its way across the country 

to its darling girl.

More Easter dresses to come!

Happy Sewing!

Madison's Birthday Dress

Once again it is birthday time for

one of my favorite little fashionistas!

For the last 4 years,

a darling little girl named Madison

has requested a very special dress for her birthday.

Last year, when she was 6, Madison

requested an "Olivia" themed dress.

More pictures of this dress are HERE.

And when she was 5, 

Madison requested a Tinkerbell themed dress.

More photos of this dress are HERE.

And this was the very first dress I smocked

and constructed for Madison, 

when she was 4.

Each year, Madison chooses her theme,

color, and other details and then I get to create

a dream dress for her.

Madison's mommy sent me a picture of the

design that our little designer had chosen.

Because there are no smock plates 

(smocking stitch pattern)

for this kitty, 

I had to figure out a way to 

smock this design. 

Just like last year, 

I ended up smocking free hand.

Madison requested Hot Pink 

as the color of her dress but left 

the rest of the design up to me.

I loved the contrast of the black 

outline in the design,

so I chose to use black for her name

and for the rick rack as well.

And like last year, 

I sewed a row of tulle to

the attached petticoat

to add a little bit of fluff to the skirt!

And I found the most fabulous

hot pink sparkly buttons to match the fabric

just perfectly!

And of course,

because we all know of my passion for rick rack,

I had to add some to the skirt......

 And the sleeve cuffs.

And, 

of course,

because the attached petticoat

is sewn to the lining of the bodice,

there are no scratchy seams visible.

(The color is wonky in this photo!)

And it had to have a

Sivjegoose label too!

While the measurements

are customized to Madison's actual more petite size,

I chose to put a size 7 tag

inside because this is for Madison's 7th birthday!

I can't wait to see pictures of the birthday

girl in her dress!!

Her mama told me that Madison is considering

being a dress designer when she grows up.

I think she will do a marvelous job!

Happy Birthday darling girl!

 

Flower Power For Charlotte!

This outfit is for a beautiful little girl

named Charlotte.

Do you remember this post?

Well, Charlotte's mommy,

Meredith,
is a fellow blogger.

She blogs at Merry Stitching.

She remembered this outfit

and ordered one like it for her

little Charlotte.

I did not have enough of the 

Flower Power "Loopy Floral" in the 

fuchsia colorway to make the whole dress.

But, I had some of my favorite pink

plaid and loved how it blended.

I only had enough left of the fabric

to do the skirt and two knotty straps,

but I think the different look is pretty.

I just noticed that little thread on 

the sleeve of the blouse and now it is going

to drive me crazy!

I even had enough of the vintage goldenrod 

cotton rickrack. 

And I had some yellow buttons

that picked up the color nicely.

And I think I like the plaid contrast on the

gathered pockets even more

than the floral contrast on Ahnalin's. 

I could hardly wait to see this on the 

lovely Miss Charlotte herself!

And look what came into my inbox!!!

Isn't she gorgeous!!

Look at those angelic curls!

I love to see little ones in things

I have sewn for them!

And look at this spinning action!

And she looks like she is singing here!

Meredith, thank you so much for the

photos!

And thank you all for your prayers.

I am finally starting to get my strength back!

And I am finally, almost caught up

with blog posts!!

I am loving having my India home with us!

I will post the trip photos really soon!!!

Happy Sewing!

Sivje

Pink Plaid For Kylie

I love this plaid.

In fact, it has been included in 

several of my custom dresses lately.

This dress is for Kylie.

Kylie and Ahnalin are 

"China Sisters".

While they are not biologically related,

our families traveled together to 

China to adopt them.  

We are so grateful to have contact

with Kylie's family

so our girls will always have that connection.

Can you tell that I love sewing with plaid?

I love making pockets and growth tucks!

And matching those plaids at seams is

one of my favorite things to do.

It appeals to my "math brain".

The back actually matches up perfectly,

but I could not get a good picture 

that did not have my shadow in it!

I have finished all current custom

garments and have one more to show

you tomorrow.

I am taking a few days off but 

will be taking more custom orders next week.

I am slowly getting well. 

This bronchitis and trip really wiped me out!

I will post trip pictures soon!!

Happy Sewing.

Bloomer Skirt for Carissa

Every girl needs a Bloomer Skirt for back to school!

This one was a custom for a 

darling little China sister named Carissa.

Here mama remembered 

that I had made a Bloomer Skirt

for Ahnalin with Tanya Whelan's "Darla" fabric

and requested one for her girly.

I appliqued this little rose onto the gingham print.

Attached bloomers in the gingham print

for proper coverage while

jumping rope and hanging from Monkey Bars.

If your little girl needs a Bloomer Skirt,

I would love to create one for her.

Or, you can make one yourself using

my "Monkey Girl Bloomer Skirt" e-pattern.

Just click on the links to the upper left

of the blog,

either my Etsy store, 

or the "Add to cart" button.

You can also purchase the pattern from

You Can Make This .Com

and

 

Fairytale Frocks And Lollipops

Please email me if you are interested

in me creating a custom Bloomer Skirt 

for the darling girl in your life.

And now, Ahnalin and India and I 

are off for an afternoon of pottery painting.

Ahnalin starts second grade tomorrow 

and we must enjoy our last day of 

Summer together having

creative fun together.

Happy Sewing!