Skirt making on a slightly smaller scale

As the mother of boys, I rarely get to make children's clothes. I've made them PJ bottoms in the past, but that's about all they'll tolerate from me. If I'd been sewing when they were babies or toddlers I could have kitted them out to my heart's content, but they were just that bit too old. They're now racing towards double digits and teenage years respectively, so anything made by me is out of the question. It's a different story with girls though…

I saw some simple little girl's skirts at an event recently that were beautiful, but they looked so easy to make I just couldn't bring myself to buy one (they were about £30 each). With my niece Hannah's birthday approaching, I thought I'd have a go at making one myself. The skirts I saw were made from vintage fabric (which is probably why they were so expensive) but I think I can get a similar effect using a linen-look cotton. Linen-look cotton is fab, it's 100% cotton, with the appearance and feel of linen but without all the pesky creases. It's actually more hard wearing than quilting cotton, so  ideal for children's clothes. It looks a little like vintage barkcloth, which is what made me think of it for Hannah's skirt. I've chosen this darling dog fabric from Plush Addict:

I couldn't decide between the colour ways so bought both - maybe she'll get two skirts? Or a skirt and a cushion!

I used linen-look cotton to make myself a sundress last year and I'm pleased to say it's been getting lots of use during the recent sunny weather.  I'd definitely recommend it for summer dressmaking. If cute doggies are a step too far for you, Plush Addict also stock a good selection of classic patterns (polka dots, gingham and stripes!!) in their linen-look cotton range.

My dilemma now is which pattern to use. Hannah lives in Australia so I'll only have her measurements to rely on. She's always climbing trees and flying through the air on broomsticks (sort of) so I think a simple but practical design would be best. I'm tempted to just use my own elastic waist skirt tutorial, or I might make a casing and insert the elastic for a neater look. If anybody can suggest a skirt pattern or tutorial suitable for a seven year old, please do let me know. This is a real novelty to me - I can't wait to get started! x

Simplicity sundress

I'm really thrilled to share my newest creation with you today as it's my first project for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. 

When the UK finally started enjoying some proper sunshine this year, I realised there was a sundress-shaped gap in my wardrobe. By sundress, I mean something light with straps to keep you cool in the boiling sun. I have one dress of that description - my Colette Patterns Parfait - which is a fabulous workhorse of a dress, but I fancied a change in style. I'd pinned this lovely fifties vintage dress to Pinterest as inspiration and although I knew I didn't want the skirt on mine to be as full, I really wanted to recreate the neat, fitted bodice and contrast white bodice band. 

To do this I chose Simplicity 2176, which as sundress patterns go, is about as traditional as they come. It has a lovely, princess seamed bodice, a pleated skirt and endless strap combinations. As I outlined in this post, I'm not a natural wearer of pleats and thought long and hard about whether to include them or not. In the end I decided to just go for it and embrace the old fashioned look of the pattern.

As it's a warm weather dress, I chose a linen-look cotton in Royal Blue from Minerva Crafts. This fabric is fab: it's 100% cotton, drapes beautifully and has the look and feel of linen without all the tiresome creases. I underlined it to make it a bit more opaque using white silk cotton, and used white piqué fabric for the outer bodice band, both from my stash. I love the contrast of colours, they just look so fresh together.

There were no nasty surprises lurking in the instruction sheet and it all came together without incident - a lovely, easy make. Accustomed as I am to Simplicity patterns having way too much ease in them. I cut a size 12. Annoyingly, this pattern seems to be pretty true to its measurements and the bodice ended up a bit tight. Grrr! I reduced the side seam allowances which makes it a lot more comfortable to wear, but the bodice rides a bit higher than my natural waist because my boobs take up too much space! It's my own fault for being so lazy in the first place and not making a muslin - next time I'll definitely need to do a FBA! It's totally wearable as it is though and although I'm still getting used to the look of the pleats I do like them.  

Because of the pleats and neat bodice, this dress feels very ladylike - I should be wearing it with proper heels and gloves. In real life, I'll probably wear it with flip flops or wedges. Anyway, mission accomplished and I now have a sundress to add to my summer wardrobe.

If you fancy making your own sundress, Minerva Crafts have put together a great kit which you can purchase here. The kit comprises a copy of Simplicity 2176, two metres of Royal Blue linen-look cotton, matching thread and a 14 inch dress zip. Happy sewing! 

The kit was given to me free of charge as part of the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network. All views my own.