sew busy

I have just about finished the custom orders mentioned {here}.  I've had a lil helper while I've been sewing..... 

 Lil Miss has gotten so interested in sewing lately!  She got her own machine at Christmas and even though it doesn't have a bobbin, she likes making stiches in everything!  She really wanted to help me make her baby's matching dress, so I had her push the foot pedal while I did the rest.  It was interesting to say the least, but the dress came out looking good!!

 My friend had contacted me with some fabrics she liked...so I made her daughter a dress.  While I'm working on it, Lil Miss sees it and wants one!  So here it is....

I used three fabrics from Jennifer Paganelli.  Straps & trim are {Crazy Love Natasha Purple}, the skirt is {Crazy Love Priscilla Pink} and the bodice is {West Indies Marie Yellow}. 

I really like how the dress turned out...so fun & colorful!!

most requested

I have had EIGHT custom order requests for this dress in the last week! 

This dress combination was actually created by a customer at the very beginning of the summer.  When I was buying the fabrics she chose, I actually remember thinking that I wasn't sure I liked the combination....however.....as soon as I got the first pieces put together, I LOVED it!! 

Apparently a bunch of you do too!  Needless to say, I will not be taking anymore custom orders for a little bit until I get caught up!

knotty frock {for all seasons}

Today was the "photo shoot" for the Knotty Frock for All Seasons!

You may have noticed that both dresses I make often are very versitile for year 'round wearing.

I needed some photos for the Knotty tag so I called up my models from {last year} and they were happy to help!

So here they are:

Here's a big thanks to my lil friends for their cooperation and super smiles!!!

are you tired of these yet?!

This is Lil Miss's newest knotty frock!  I can't go to the fabric store without her asking  for a new dress and matching one for her baby!  As soon as I bought these fabrics, I had buyer's remorse...however, once I got the dress together - I LOVE IT!!! 

country chick chick

A few weeks ago I came across {this} knot dress by KPea Original.  Sadly, it didn't come big enough for Lil Miss.  Then last week, I was looking around online and I found the fabrics!!!  Whoo hoo!!

I didn't make an exact copycat of the KPea dress, but used similar fabrics from the Chick Chick Organic line and {this} knotty frock pattern.  I used {Chick Toss Summer} for the skirt,  {Small Floral Pink} for the straps, and {Floral Summer} for the bodice and trim.  I found them all on Fabric.com where you get free shipping on orders over $35 and I can always find a coupon code to save even more! 

Of course bitty baby has a {matching dress} and I also made one of these for my friend's little girl whose 2nd birthday party is farm themed!  This may be my new favorite!!

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The kiddos and I will be on vacation for the next week!  I'll share a project I've been working on when I get back!!  

pink songbird knotty frock

Lil Miss is obsessed with matching her baby every.day.  I've gotten good at making leggings for baby since I've been on summer break!  I made another Knotty Frock for the two of them.  I used pink scroll and songbird fabrics from Hobby Lobby. 

I'm finishing up some curtains for my sis-n-law and then I have a special project to share with you!! 

**Just a reminder - take 40% off any Mama Made It purchase through my Etsy Shop - now until June 19th - use code JUNE40 at checkout!**

baby love knotty frock

Here's a tutorial for making a Knotty Frock to fit a Bitty Baby or similar sized doll.

{click on the photo, save and print as a photo - chose 'full page photo' and measure your printout}

Step #1 - using the guide above, cut out all 10 pieces.

Step #2 - Trim

Take one trim piece and fold in in half length-wise, wrong sides facing, and press.

Match up the 18" raw edge of the trim piece to the 18" edge of a skirt piece and

sew along the 18" edge.

Ziz zag or serge the raw edge.

Open, press and topstitch.

Repeat with the other trim & skirt pieces, set aside.

Step #3 - Straps & Bodice

Fold a strap piece in half length-wise, right sides facing, and sew along the long open edge and one short open edge.

Turn right-side out and press.  Repeat with other strap piece.

 

Lay one bodice piece right side up and place straps on top, 3/4" from the side and sticking up 1/2" from the top of the bodice.  Place another bodice piece on top, right-side facing, sandwiching the straps and pin.

Sew around the top of the bodice, leaving the short ends and bottom open.

Open and press.  Topstitch the top of bodice.  This is your Back Bodice piece.

Repeat with the remaining two bodice pieces, except without straps this time.  This is your Front Bodice piece.

Add button holes to the Front Bodice piece.  {You'll have to follow your machine's directions for adding the button holes.}

 Using a seam ripper, open the button holes.

Step #4 Gathering

Set your machine to the longest stitch option.

Stitch along the raw 18" edge of one of your skirt pieces, do not backstitch.  Set aside and do the same to the other skirt piece.  Pull on one thread from your gathering stitch and gather the skirt.  Pin to the bottom of the Back Bodice piece, right sides facing.  Stitch along the raw edge.  Zig zag or serge to finish the raw edge.

Open and topstitch along the seam.

Repeat with the Front Bodice piece and the remaining skirt piece.  You're almost done!!!

Step #5 Putting it together

Place the two halves together, right sides facing.  Match up the seams and pin. 

 Sew together, zig zagging to finish the raw edge.

All that's left is to try it on!  Slip each strap through a button hole and tie a knot to keep it in place.

Love it!!!

big top knotty frock

In May we have a few circus themed events and I saw the cutest circus Michael Miller fabric!!

Fabric.com has the coolest feature called the Design Wall.  You can add fabrics to you design wall and you can move them around and see your fabrics side by side.  I ended up with:

Michael Miller Retro Big Top in Periwinkle

Michael Miller Ta Dot Sunny Dot

Michael Miller Quarter Dot Red &

Riley Blake 1 1/2" Jumbo Ric Rac Red

{and if you spend $35, you get free shipping!!}

  I couldn't wait to get this sewn up - sooo cute!!!  I used the same pattern I mentioned {here}.

 I showed Lil Miss her dress and the first thing she says is, "Where's baby's matching dress?"  Ha!  Tonight I made Baby one, so every one's happy!!!

I'm working on a pattern and maybe a tutorial for the bitty baby knot - super easy and so cute!!

knotty frock

Introducing the "Knotty Frock"! 

Lil Miss & I love the knot dresses from Matilda Jane and sadly, she's outgrown the knots she's worn for the last two years!  {They are great because they are dresses first and then tops once the length is too short!}  I realized we were going to have to restock.  We have gotten a few from MJ, but I don't love her wearing those to play at the baby sitter's.  So I researched patterns and settled on {this one} on Etsy.  It was super easy to follow and very detailed!

 Like usual, I tweaked some things here and there and I love the final result!!

 Lil Miss loves it too!!  I realize I'll never have the fabric and combinations that MJ does, but I think I make a pretty cute knot dress!

 It even passed the "twirl test"!

The straps are adjustable - you can tie the knot where you need to for a good fit.  I love how full the skirt of this dress is!  I've made similar dresses before, but this one is my favorite!

I have plans to add some of these to my etsy shop this summer.

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The month of May seems to have a circus theme to it - my nephew's 3rd birthday party is circus themed and Lil Man is a lion in his Kindergarten circus!  And you know I love a theme....so stay tuned to see what I have in store to keep Lil Miss "in theme"!!