rags to riches
Hmmmm...that title is a bit dramatic for what this post is about but in all honesty, this little chambray dress was ready to go to the Goodwill pile before I rescued it and gave it a little Cinderella transformation.
This was an impromptu project and I forgot to snap any before shots, but just picture it as an unispired light denim shift...and now, this cute little number!
I wanted something Fall-ish, but not too pumpkin-ish or turkey-ish, or halloween-ish, and this little tree seemed to fill the bill...
I was inspired by similar trees all over pinterest, so I just hand sketched a little tree trunk of my own and a leaf and then went to town using up a bunch of my fabric scraps to create the applique'.
I stuck with brighter shades so the little pumpkin could wear this year-round and then just tied the design together with brown embroidery floss.
Not too bad for a little discarded Old Navy dress, huh? The little pumpkin loved it. Said it looked very "school girly-ish" and she couldn't wait to wear it to school. She also said she looked like a Lalaloopsy doll in this picture - he he...she sure keeps me on my toes!
So what about you?
Did you make anything fun this weekend?
Update:
Click {here} for my tutorial on how to applique!
10 comments:
Well I almost made something out of my latest fun fall fabric-orange chevron. Traced and cut a new SIZE 5 :( pant pattern, cut the ruffles first, went to lay the legs out, and was short by LITERALLY 3 cm of fabric!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I consoled my self by doing what I do best..SHOPPING! I hopped straight onto ETSY and bought more yardage of the orange, and then some more cute fabric. Oh internet retail therapy :):):) Should be in by Friday's sewing club!
This is PRECIOUS. Did you just hand-stitch it?
Darling. Your blanket stitches are perfect!!
I love love love what you did with the dress! I would aldo love a tutorial and know what type of sewing machine you would recommend for a beginning sewer. I have a one year old and I look forward to learnin to sew and making clothes like that for her.
It's such a darling dress. What little girl wouldn't a love a dress like that . Great Job Jessica! Now you have me thinking of some projects I should start....
Thanks for all the love! :)
I added a link to my tutorial on how to applique at the bottom of the post...hope that helps!
To answer a couple of questions...
I hand sketch my designs, draw them out on cardstock, then use steam-a-seam to adhere the applique to the fabric, and finally finish it off by hand stitching all the way around the applique using embroidery floss.
You can also machine stitch around your appliques but my sewing machine and I are NOT friends when it comes to appliques ;)
As far as sewing machines...I'm not really the person to ask...I still consider myself a beginner sewer! I have a lower-end Bernina. It's called a Bernette - ha! But it works great! My mom (Noonie) sews more for Grace than I do and she has several different machines...Singer and a serger (can't remember brand). You can find some good beginner machines for pretty cheap, so don't be afraid to check out your local quilt shop for more recommendations! :)
I want to buy this whole outfit when Grace outgrows it~! SO ADORABLE!!!
Thank you Jessica for your helpful information! So nice of you.
Hi Jessica! I came across your blog a little while ago and have followed ever since. I love all you do with your little ones. You've definitely inspired me! Seeing your blog even gave me the final push I needed to start my own. I love this dress. I make similar things for my littles. Can't wait to see what you do next!
Thank you for your post! Daughter-in-law thought a button-down dress out of a man's shirt would be cute for me to try. It looks so plain in a dark yellow color....so....I'm going to dress it up with a tree!! Before I read your post I thought the same as you....it's fall, so why not a tree with leaves...but don't want it to be solely a fall dress - lots of colorful leaves from my stash is the trick. Thanks again for sharing.
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