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first the shoes…
2007 @ 9:13 am
Thanks for the compliments on my new shoes! They are very comfortable without being clunky. I bought them at Slope Shoes (or something to that effect) on 7th Avenue and Lincoln Place. Unfortunately, that store was closing when I bought them… the brand is azaleia and you can find them at zappos.com. The deal at zappos is nearly as good as the one I got at the close-out sale. Silly me didn’t even try to negotiate a lower price on the 4 pairs of shoes I bought that day (see other shoes here). Mr. Sassy assures me that I am more disappointed in myself than he is in me for not even thinking of trying. Right.
I did some more sewing this weekend in preparation for our Caribbean vacation in October. I made this beach dress for MJ using a bit of fabric I got as a hostess gift from my friend Heather. It’s an Alexander Henry print–love him.
I followed Teresa Franco’s tutorial for a Simple & Elegant dress and made size modification as follows:
MJ measured 19″ around the chest:
I cut 4 pieces of 3/8″ elastic to 17 inches.
I cut the fabric 31″ (19″ plus 12″ for the gathering)
I’m extremely happy with the results! I’ll be making more–even a few in adult sizes–before we leave.
Note:
I didn’t have a long straight edge so I skipped drawing elastic guides and did my best to sew evenly as I pulled it across. This didn’t work out so well (duh) so I’m off to by a clear ruler today. Also, I think I will attach the elastic to within a 1/2″ of the edge rather than at the edge. The double up elastic adds bulk to the seam. I might even try a french seam with the next one 
Comments
I’m terrible at negotiating prices - so would never have thought of trying to haggle down.
Love the dress, very, very cute. She’s going to be the cutest kid in the Caribbean!
that is awesome!!! and have fun on your Caribbean vacation. I am very jealous of you.
Caribbean vacation, eh? Nice! The dress is adorable, and Maya will be quite the charmer in it. You are REALLY making we want to make similar stuff for H. However…
That straight-line thing is definitely something I remember struggling mightily with the last time I worked with a sewing machine (circa ‘91 or ‘92). And it might have A LOT to do with why I’m in no rush to buy even the interim Hello Kitty machine.
AH-dorable! When do we get to see MJ in it? Jesus i really need to learn how to sew….
French seams? Wow, I’m impressed. Is the dress going to have straps or is MJ going to rock the strapless look? Either way, that fabric is too cute
I like french seams but they are such work. Very cute dress! It will be great for swimming and changing!
oooh, so very cute! you’ll get better at sewing straight lines with more practice. do you have a water soluble pen? those things are the best.