dress – Page 10 – SewSophieLynn

A Tale of Three Christmas Dresses

Sophie has a beautiful new Christmas dress that she loves- not this one, but this one. She was so excited to wear our matching dresses and Payton needed one to join us. I love non-traditional colors that can be worn throughout the year and this floral from my stash fit the bill.

It would be only fitting to use another Mingo and Grace pattern- The Charlie Dress. Bonus- I already had the pattern traced and ready to go (in a size 6 with 8 length) but had never made it.

It came together quickly in a naptime and I couldn’t wait for Payton to try it on when she got home. As she twirled around it was obvious to me that it was way too long and very sloppy on her. I could seam rip a perfectly gathered and serged seam or give it to big sis and sew a new dress. All you seamstresses know that was a no brainer.

So big sister got dress number two that fits her perfectly. Which means little sis needed two dresses too… I’ll take any excuse to sew up more easy dresses. I’ll be posting those later this week and also sharing some of my favorite sister pics ever!

Are you sewing up Christmas dresses this year? I love the quick, simple dresses that can be worn for more than a season. This Charlie dress is just that. It will be darling come spring with sandals too and she can wear it now with a tee underneath or a sweater on top. Just about the perfect dress in my book!

Mother Daughter Blake Dresses

Who wants this ladies version for FREE?!! Click through to the end of the post for more details!

Warning! This post will contain an obscene amount of pictures. I just can’t get enough of THIS DRESS!!!

I love Farrah at Mingo and Grace’s simple and classic patterns. Her clean lines and gorgeous silhouettes are so versatile.

Only problem is my girls had already sized out of her one of her most popular patterns- the Blake dress. Farrah listened to all of us tween moms and has now upgraded the Blake to size 12!! Hooray!

And while she was at it she threw in a ladies version as well. Hello awesome!

The bodice of this dress has darts to really flatter and I love the wide shoulders and high neckline too.

There is an invisible zipper and two different back shapes- full and racerback. We choose the full back for Sophie.

The ladies version has a sleeve option as well.

The skirt features big box pleats and optional inseam pockets. Who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?!

We loved dressing this down with a denim jacket and boots.

But she’s also anxious to wear it for the holidays, all dressed up with glamorous accessories.

You know when you go into the fabric store with one vision in mind and come out with something completely different? That was me and this dress. I originally thought of doing this dress in a printed stretch sateen or twill. I did Sophie’s version first and this Casa Collection Satin from Joann’s caught my eye.

It’s such a vibrant, beautiful shade and suits my Soph so well.

I used a stretch sateen from Joann’s for my version and it’s the perfect balance of fancy and easy wear.

Farrah has generously offered the Ladies version for FREE to her newsletter subscribers on Cyber Monday. Sign up today so you don’t miss it! Check out her shop for more Cyber Monday deals.

Laundry Day Dress (and tutorial)

I have the pleasure of testing for Tami at Love Notions. She was one of those designers I kinda liked before I started testing for her but my adoration has grown as I’ve followed her through the testing process multiple times.

She is a super woman- sewing right alongside the testers, perfecting her patterns until they are absolutely amazing. She put in that same time and effort to her free pattern, the Laundry Day Tee. (For my full review on that tee you can go here.)

Since I made my first version I’d been really wanting to hack it into a cute knee-length swing dress. I picked up this gorgeous floral spandex jersey from Joann’s and it sat and waited for me…

The stars aligned (sick kids and a lazy day) and this dress was born.

I shared it in the Love Notions Facebook Group and there were requests for a tutorial. So here goes…

Disclaimer- This is my first tutorial. I do not claim that this is the only way to do this or that I am doing anything new and exciting. It is a simple hack and I am sharing the way that worked for me. I tried to make it as simplistic as possible since I think this pattern is a perfect beginner project. If you have attempted this and would like to share what worked for you, please do! (Also, we received our first snowfall today so the lighting is indoor and fabulous 😉

I grabbed my main pattern piece, tracing paper, a ruler, a pen, scissors, and a glue stick or tape.

Next, glue (or tape) your pattern piece to your tracing paper. This helps to keep it in place from the get go.

I lengthened my pattern from the tunic length line by 8 inches. I got this measurement by measuring from my shoulder seam to where I wanted the dress to end on my leg. I then measured my pattern piece and added the appropriate length plus seam allowance. (I am 5’7″ as a reference.)

I started by lengthening the center fold line first. I lined my ruler up the length to the fold line and measured down 8 inches and drew a line.

To lengthen the flared side, I lined my ruler up the length of the dress and marked 8 inches from the bottom. Draw a line.

You should have two lines like this. Now the tricky part is connecting them. I just did the best I could at recreating the curve of the original piece.

I am adding in a suggestion here that I didn’t do on my first dress. I will add an extra 1/2 inch to the front of my dress to take into account my bust. I noticed on my dress that the front hem was a tad shorter because of the extra, uh-um, fullness in front. If you are more well endowed than me you may want to play with how much extra length is needed in front.

I used a dotted line to make my front markings.

Ready to cut!

Your final piece should look something like this.

The construction of the dress is exactly like you would do the shirt or tunic. Such a quick, easy hack for such a fun, versatile pattern.

I can’t wait to make a closetful. How perfect would these be come Spring too, with sandals and sunshine? Can you tell I’m already dreaming of warmer, sunny days?!!

I hope this helps and feel free to message me with any questions. Make sure you share your dresses in the FB group or on Instagram and hashtag #laundrydaytee.

I am a new affiliate for Love Notions. I decided to join the program since I love the patterns so much that I can’t help spreading the word. You can check out her patterns here and make sure to check back on Friday for the release of her newest skirt pattern. You won’t want to miss it!

My Sophie’s Baptism Dress

My sweet Sophie turned 8 in September. We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and eight is a BIG deal!

Sophie will be baptized soon so of course, she needed a beautiful white dress.

I let her pick just about everything about this- she picked the pattern, the fabric, the lace, even the little button on the collar.

I was super nervous to sew this up. The last time I sewed with fancy fabric- aka anything not knit or quilting cotton, was my wedding when I made some basic bridesmaids skirts. (And we just celebrated our 15th anniversary- yikes!)

We picked the Adelaide dress pattern from Violette Fields Threads and she picked a thick satin from the Casa Collection at Joann’s. The lace is also from Joann’s and the chiffon collar fabric and button are Hobby Lobby finds.

I made a size 7 width with two inches added to the 9/10 length- she’s super tall and I wanted this to be a little longer. I used the banded sleeve but ended up cutting the band off because it felt too bulky in this thicker fabric.

She just adores this dress and didn’t want to take it off after taking pictures. Mom’s, that’s why we sew, right? That joy in their eyes and knowing that you helped to make them feel beautiful. I’m so proud of my sweet girl and so excited for her special day.

Pattern Anthology Diamond Dress

You know those chic women that can throw on a dress everyday and just look so put together? The mom’s at Target looking like they stepped out of a magazine in their cute knit dress? Well, that is not me. Between years of nursing and chasing toddlers, dresses were just not on my radar. Until now…

Pattern Anthology has released their newest set of patterns and they are fabulous. I sewed up the Diamond Dress by Shwin Designs. I used a ponte from Joann’s and it worked perfectly.

The diamond detail in the center is such a fun, flattering detail. It’s great for colorblocking or just changing the fabric direction like I did.

The pattern comes with cap and long sleeve lengths. I used the long sleeve piece and cut it at the lengthen/shorten line to create my favorite 3/4 sleeves. I also used the tip to bring in the waist by sewing clear elastic to the waist seam allowance. I love the silhouette it creates!

I can’t wait to wear this dressed up to church. Or you may just see me in it with sneakers on my next Target run…

Heidi and Finn Cocoon Dress (x2 of course)

Can I just shout from the rooftops how much I love, love, love this pattern?!!!! This is the Heidi and Finn Cocoon Dress and it is my new favorite thing, EVER!

It’s got such a fun silhouette and is so simple and classic at the same time. It’s got sleeves and is a modest length, too! And the kicker for me is that it’s FAST, like start to finish in an hour fast! Can I just make Cocoon dresses for the rest of my life, please?!!

My obsession began with an early morning vision of the cute, quilted knit version. I’ve had the fabric, from Raspberry Creek, since Spring and have always pictured it as a hoodie or sweatshirt. That is until that fateful morning…

Sophie’s birthday was coming up so I whipped it up that morning and had little sis try it on after school (the benefits of having all the same measurements but height). Well, Payton fell in love with it too (Can you blame her?) and this corduroy version was sewn up for her.

She picked the zipper out of my stash- she’s a sucker for hearts.

You know how I feel about pockets…

And that fabric? Just another great find from Hobby Lobby.

Sophie opened her dress on her birthday morning and immediately put it on to wear to school. She totally thought I’d bought it and was thrilled by how soft and cozy it is!

I adore the zipper on this one!

She came home from school and ditched the leggings and threw on her jean jacket and looked too darn cute I made her take more pics. It may or may not have been raining but she was such a great sport!

Can’t wait to make a million more… I’m thinking a french terry version would be fantastic. Oh, or I’ve got a plaid corduroy that would be great for the holidays. Or a simple denim one? How will I ever decide?!!!

Summer Sewing- Why is it so hard?

With five kids, sewing time is precious. When they are all home for the summer, it’s even more sparse. Here are a few of the projects I eeked out this summer.

I had the pleasure of testing for Striped Swallow Designs again this summer. Her Wildflower kimono is so unique and simple to sew. I sewed one up for Soph in a cute striped knit and Payton got a cozy french terry version (from Raspberry Creek Fabrics, of course).

I also had the pleasure of testing for Terri from Sew Straight and Gather. Her Cousu Collection was kinda groundbreaking for me, pushing me to try new techniques and totally taking me to a new level. This time I tested her versatile Urban Garden Dress and Tank. It’s such a cute pattern and her tutorials are THE BEST! If you haven’t tried one of her patterns you are totally missing out. Beware though that once you do, all other patterns will be lacking in comparison.

This summer my quest for myself was to make the perfect pants and shorts. I tried a gazillion patterns and I think my quest is still on…

Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop Summer Lovin’ Shorts

School starts this week and it’s always a little bittersweet. I adore having my kids home and the adventures we get to do every day. For the most part, they get along great and we spend a lot of time laughing and just being together. BUT… we are together ALL THE TIME. I feel guilty stealing away for an hour or two to create. So the sweet part of back to school is that I will have every afternoon to myself (thanks to a cute three year old that still naps)! I’m so excited to be able to sew without the guilt of negletting the kiddos. Oh, the project list… 🙂

Paneled Sunsuit for the win!

I had the pleasure of testing Call Ajaire’s first pattern, the Paneled Sunsuit. Sometimes designers rush their patterns out to consumers and take shortcuts on the finished product. Ajaire was just the opposite- thorough, detailed, and the final pattern shows all her hard work. My girls couldn’t get enough of this pattern!

I did the Maxi version for my oldest in a gorgeous Art Gallery cotton from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. It was pure perfection! I think my Sophie should have a wardrobe full of that brilliant blue color and the silhouette was so cute on her tiny frame. The fitted waist and flared skirt make the dress seem so fancy and sophisticated. She declared it her favorite thing I’ve ever made her! Win, win, win!!

Payton got the darling pantsuit version. It is so adorable in a light chambray with floral details. The pantsuit is easy on and off with the cute elastic shoulder straps but it stays snug against the bodice with the simple elastic casing in the back. So cute and classic!