I think I'll do a sew along when DH gets back from Sydney, but for now here are the directions. I would've pm'd these except I deleted many of the requests and can't remember who all I sent the pattern to.
Cut 2 pieces of the bodice piece.
The binding strip is 2" tall with the stretch going across, like so:
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<----------stretch------------>
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Using copious amounts of magic sizing/spray starch, press the binding strip in half so it's 1" tall. Open again and using more spray starch, press the two sides in to meet at the middle fold (again your strip is 1" tall). Fold in half again, spray liberally with spray starch and press. Try to make one side *very slightly* longer than the other.
Stitch the binding on the top of the bodice pieces. The longer side of the binding should be on the inside of the dress ~ makes it easier to catch the binding in all places.
Starting at the underarm (the lowest part of the curved area on the pattern, kwim?) attach the binding. This time the binding should have the longer part to the right/outside of the garment. When you get to the top of the dress continue sewing to form the strap. For a 4T I believe the strap area should be 6 or 7ish inches. On the 12-18 months size dress the strap area is 4", 2T it's 4.5". I don't remember the other sizes, maybe Becka can tell us for sure how long she made hers on the 4T dress.
When you get to the end of the "strap" area, tuck the back bodice piece into the binding and continue sewing until you reach the underarm area. Look at the back side of the binding, if you missed any areas, go back and do a 2nd row of parallel stitching. Repeat for the other side.
Sew the side seams.
For the skirt: Measure the bottom of the bodice and determine how gathered you'd like the skirt. Personally, I like 2x the width of the bodice bottom. Cut 2 pieces to the length you desire. For Lauren's 2T dress I cut it 18" long for a fairly long skirt. To give you an idea, on the 2T dress the front and back skirt pieces are 24" wide by 18" tall.
Sew the skirt front & back together, gather using your favorite method, then sew to the bodice. Hem & you're done!
I've never done this in a woven, but I imagine that you'd want to do shoulder ties for ease in getting in on and off. I'd make the binding strip narrower to decrease bulk when tied ~ maybe 1.5". I think I might also sew the side seams first, then have the front/back tie be all one piece. Have the middle of the tie piece centered at the underarm/side seam for a cleaner look and less bulk in the seam, make sense?
It's a pretty simple, straightforward dress, but feel free to ask if you have any questions as you go along.
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Jayme ~ mama to Nathan (10/98) and Lauren (6/02)
Oooh! Thank you! I love that dress, too! I'll have to add your directions to my favorites or bookmarks or something . . . if I can figure out how. lol!
bumping because I've had a few pm's from people wondering what the heck in the world (as Nathan would say ) they're supposed to do with this "dress pattern"
Maybe everyone who got one can post a pic of their dress? I'm super visual
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~Meg~ teacher, podcaster, but mostly sahm to my trio of little women (4, 6, 17)wife to Mr Big and dog-ma to Indy the crazy miniature golden retriever
Today. But you probably knew that. I also have another one partially cut out in knit. I'll post a pic of that when I get it done. I have so many different ideas on ways to do this pattern. Thanks a bunch!
JAYME
) they're supposed to do with this "dress pattern"
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