Monday, April 21, 2014

I Hate Sewing Series: A Happily Ever After Easter Dress

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The sound of a sewing machine is still going loud and clear from my dinning table. Yes you read it right, I have been using a formal dining table to do all of my sewing projects due to its extra large surface. We probably use that dinning table once a year so might as well put it to a good use.


And yes I am sewing more pieces (for those who are new and wonder why I hate sewing but still sew: read here). In the past week, I spent a little bit of time each night here and there making a new dress for my little girl. I opened a bag of fabrics I bought weeks ago and found this adorable print: rainbows, castle, horse and carriage. A few ideas came to my mind, I didn't know exactly how I wanted the final look to be but I knew I wanted to challenge myself to a much more complicated dress rather than a straight/pillow dress I previously made. 

So this dress must have:
1) Pleats
2) Ruffles
3) Buttons
4) Lining
5)  I didn't want to buy a pattern (for some reason I don't like working with any pattern). 
Challenging much??!?!?
 I was not quite sure whether I could accomplish this project or not, only one way to find out - I must do it. I grabbed several dresses from my little girl's closet and closely examine them piece by piece, seam by seam and the rest was my "guess" work. I have to say that after finishing my first two projects, I gained more hands on experience as well as confidence. I thought more logically, what piece to start first and so on.
I probably spent roughly 6-8 hours total making this dress (a few hours per night). Since I didn't use any pattern, it did take much longer time to figure out the shape/size and of course I ended up wasting more fabric by trial and error in order to get exactly what I needed. A few errors occurred but I quickly learned and fixed them.

 I couldn't tell you the sense of accomplishment when that last stitch was completed and when I slipped it on my little girl. It was the BEST feeling in the world to see how this dress fit her body. From someone who had absolutely 0 interest in sewing to going to just two sewing classes and to be able to make this dress, I gave myself several pats on my back. 

Mission Possible!! I finished this sun dress in time for my little girl to wear on Easter.

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14 comments:

  1. Wow, that dress is so adorable! I cant believe you made that; you did a wonderful job. The pattern and color is just perfect for Easter!

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  2. great job on the dress! she looks great with it! thank goodness my little ones are boys otherwise i would be very jealous with this one :)

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  3. You made that dress! LOOK AT YOU! It is GORGEOUS Nelah! The print is so charming and I love the ruffle details. You would pay an arm & leg in the store for that type of dress. WTG!!! Fabulous job. She looked beautiful.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  4. OMG! That dress is absolutely adorable! I can't believe you made that! Wow! Nelah is so lucky to have you!

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  5. amazing!! it came out so so nice! and i love how it was finished just in time for easter! :) the ruffles added just the perfect touch nelah!! kudos to you!

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  6. Wow, i am SO impressed! Your little girl looked so sweet in that dress. More power to you.

    xx Hélène
    www.FashionOverReason.com

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  7. well well aren't you so crafty now! I know for a fact that I can NO WAY make a dress for K..unless I can glue her dress together haha I hope you had a great Easter and great week!!!

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  8. Dearest Maysa;
    OMG; how adorable your daughter looks in your handmade dress♡♡♡ I was kind of in tears p;) reading the part "I couldn't tell you the sense of accomplishment ~~. It was the BEST feeling in the world to see how this dress fit her body." When I was little (more than 50years ago) my mother sewed some lovely dresses for me by using old type machine until she started working. Quite a vivid memory of love from her, I believe your daughter remember how you worked hard for her♡♡♡ Thank you very much for sharing the sweet post♪

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*


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  9. you are amazing! all guesswork and no pattern!!! the dress is beautiful! :)

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  10. Wow, don't you have some patience. Well done, Nelah! I'm not too into hand-sewing but give me a machine and I find it quite therapeutic. I've told myself I will make some clothing pieces for myself when I've dropped off some weight. Instead I've been making a dog bed for my little pup with lots of elephant prints. I think it is so much nicer to have hand-made pieces around the house and in our wardrobes even if the sewing's not perfect or the hem isn't sitting quite right. You are an absolute pro, though! The dress looks amazing on your daughter! Rosemary x

    rosemaryofelephants.blogspot.com

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  11. You should be proud of your handiwork! That dress looks wonderful on your daughter! You did an amazing job from picking that cute printed fabric to the fun ruffled neckline and sleeves. Looking forward to seeing your next project.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  12. You truly deserve several pats on your back. From a sewing noob and a hater of sewing, to a maker of a beautiful dress, you have really accomplished a lot! The dress is truly lovely and it fits your daughter perfectly.

    PS: Your little girl is really growing up to be a big little girl now. I hadn't realised she was so big already.

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