Hello July!! And A Pretty Summer Dress

How we can possibly find ourselves welcoming July already, is a total mystery to me! Good golly, time sure does fly by!

 

As we welcome a new month, I find that I am able to sit for longer sessions at the sewing machine. Knee replacement recovery has been going well - very grateful for that! And I've set aside some time from the TATW quilt project to make a dress for Granddaughter Reagan.

My sewing journey actually began with garment making at age 8 when I entered 4-H and became a member of The Sewing Wigwags. What a name. I wonder if that 4-H club still exists? Anyway, for the next 10 years, I made clothes for myself. I advanced through all the levels in 4-H and even took a home-ec class in high school in which I made my own winter coat.

After marriage and having children, I continued to make clothes for myself and the kids, but as my interest in quilt-making grew, my clothes-making waned. I probably did not make any clothing for 20 years or so, while I concentrated on quilts. 

Now that I'm a Grandma to three little girls, I find my interests shifting back to making clothes! I have plans to make lots of little dresses and outfits for them. One dress was realized this week.

I have the cutest and simplest pattern for this sweet summer dress. It contains toddler sizes 1, 2, and 3. I made two size 3s in May - one for Cate; one for Reagan. The pattern is rather vintage; I have no idea whether I bought it when my girls were little or if it was given to me.

I had the idea that little dresses in bright Kaffe Fassett (Rowan) fabrics would look darling, so I dug around to see what I could come up with. I found three pieces that appealed to me and then I went digging for suitable lining fabrics for each one. This first dress in done in a Phillip Jacobs print called Tea Rose.

This first dress is done except for the buttonholes and buttons. I have 4 more dresses in various sizes cut out. I might get one or two done yet today!

 One dress will be made with "Fans" using that mottled blue as lining. 

 Another dress will be made with "Lavinia" and the Benartex weave for the lining.

I did cut out a second dress from the first combination - had enough remaining for a size 1 - so it will go to baby Annie.

The more of this pattern I make, the faster I finish them. Repetition will do that, don't cha' know! I've had a super-engaging audio book going which also helps. I will try to do a post in a few days on some of the recent reading I've been doing.

I am still picking up the Trip Around the World quilt; three quadrants are done. One more then I will construct all the parts. I'm motivated!

Have a wonderful July! Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne