[Ella the Model]
[Dress Front]
[Dress Back]
I'm so excited to share my garment in the Sew Mama Sew - Super Online Sewing Match! The challenge was to make
Liesl + Co's, Oliver + S Rollerskate dress! I don't have girls - so I was really happy to have the opportunity to sew a little girl's dress!! My model is Ella!
[My Inspiration Board]
The inspiration board is filled with ideas and fabrics for the dress. I love yellow and pink and thought it would be a perfect combo for a little girl's summer dress!
[Grandmother's Flower Paper pieced pattern]
The jumping off point for the design was this Grandmother's Flower paper pieced pattern. I design paper piecing patterns and thought this one would be a perfect addition to the dress!
[Pocket Detail]
I created two flowers for the pockets in some of my favorite japanese fabrics. It was fun to fussy cut the motifs for the petals!
My version of the dress called for a contrast waistband so I created 1" bias strips and stitched them to the front and back of the dress. I wanted the shirring detail so elastic was added under the casing.
The back closure is three self fabric covered buttons + loops. The pattern calls for one loop but I thought the three bird buttons would be perfect!
I spaced the loops about 3/8" apart rather than stitching them right next to each other. This way I could stitch the buttons closer to the edge.
[Hem Facing Detail]
Instead of twice turning the bottom edge to hem the skirt, I made a hem facing. I love this detail since you get a nice clean finish with the option of adding a fun pop of contrast fabric.
I overlocked all the skirt seams - CB, and side seams for added durability since children's clothes are washed - a lot!!!!
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To add a Hem Facing to your pattern:
1. Trace the bottom of the front and back pattern pieces and measure up 2" from the bottom on the contrast hem fabric. Cut out the hem facing pieces.
2. Stitch the CB and side seams together with fabric right sides together.
3. Fold under 1/4" on the top edge. Press. Stitch the bottom facing to the bottom hem, right sides together. (I used a 1/4" s.a.).
4. Press the facing to the wrong side of the bottom skirt. Roll the facing slightly up so you can see just a bit (about 1/16") of the outer fabric.
5. Edgestitch the facing in place.
The pattern calls for a full lining. The fabric I used for the dress was heavy enough without the lining (I used quilting weight or mid weight cotton) so I decided to create a bodice facing to finish the neck and armholes. The bottom of the facing is overlocked. The facing is machine tacked at the side seams at the bottom of the facing.
* A few notes about the pattern *
First I have to say - I loved the pattern! The instructions and illustrations are wonderful. I would definitely use Liesel + Co patterns again.
*Be sure to measure your model as instructed in the pattern! I was not able to measure Ella prior to making the dress, so I made the dress one size smaller since she is a petite six year old and the size 5 pattern was still a bit too big. Hopefully she will be able to wear it next summer too!
*Once you pick your size and cut out the pattern, measure the pattern to figure out your fabric requirements. I only needed 3/4 of a yard for a size 5 in 44" wide fabric. I was able to do this since I flipped the back pattern piece. If you use a directional fabric, you would need the amount of fabric advised in the pattern.
Happy Sewing!!
xo
Charise
