Sunday, May 6, 2012

Sewing Clothing- I did it!

So I did it! I made a dress for my daughter.
So excited- this is going to be the first of many I think.


She loves dresses and prefers them over anything else so I am pretty psyched that this turned out so well for a first try.

I used the Simplicity pattern 2019 and it was really easy. She is a 4T and it fits well. She's really tall though so next time I might add a bit to the length so she has some growing room.

So, I am off in search of some knit fabric for my next dress. Any suggestions on where to look? Does JoAnns have a good selection? Anywhere online to look? Also feel free to send pattern suggestions my way too. Sewing clothing is all new to me!

xo,
Jennifer

36 comments:

Jan said...

The dress and your model are lovely.

DianeY said...

My only suggestion is to try Patty Young's patterns, or maybe her new book, which concentrates on sewing with knits! She's an expert! You can have real disasters with knits - they sew completely diffeently from wovens. It's good to do some homework on sewing them first.

Katy Cameron said...

Yay you, it looks great :o)

Paige said...

Great job! I'm looking for a pattern for a top for me as my first garment. Have you ever sewn for yourself?

Rachel said...

What a beautiful dress and your daughter is a sweet model. Great job! I used to love sewing clothes for my daughter. She's 19 now and more fussy so it's not as much fun ;)

DIDI said...

Enjoy it! I've sewn my girl's clothes and she thought they were the best of all, alas daughters grow up and then prefer "shop" chothes... that will be the moment you'll start considering sewing for yourself :)

Bye

9patchnurse said...

So cute, good job! I wish I had been sewing when my daughter was little. You could check out Amy Butler's patterns or Anna Maria Horner. One (or both) of them has little girl patterns I think. My JoAnn's has a great selection of fabrics so I would definitely check it out if I were you.

pasqueflower said...

Adorable!

Sew Baby has a great selection of knits and notions for sewing children's clothing:

http://www.sewbaby.com/shopbaby/index.php

Debra Lee said...

I was at JoAnns yesteray and they have upped their game in knits and the Lizatte fabrics are great. Don't forget to print your coupons!

Sewing Mama said...

I love your cute dress! You did a great job! I highly recommend www.overrainbow.com for all kinds of fabrics, including knits and tons of cottons! Also, www.youcanmakethis.com has some great e-patterns for the CUTEST kids clothing! I have been sewing in some form my whole life, and use these sites the most. Have fun!

Courtney said...

Congratulations, it looks great! Ann Kelle has some really cute knits - saw them in coming soon at hawthorne threads. I'd also try Fabric Fairy. It's easier to find girly knits, so you are lucky. My favorite for boys is to get them on spoonflower. It is expensive, but it is the best quality I have seen! JoAnn's is good for solids, especially ribbing to use for cuffs and necks. Have fun!

Brenda said...

What a sweet dress! I made dresses for my daughters when they were little. It is so wonderful to send them to school or church in something that you made yourself. Good for you!

Lizziebeth said...

I don't know if you have an All-Brands sewing machine shop in your area but ours has cute kids prints and patterns.

lrstitched.com said...

So cute! Clothes are so much fun, you are going to be addicted in no time.

Here's some of my fave online knit places, JA's does have great solid knits and some cute prints.

http://www.thefabricfairy.com/fabrics/by-type/cotton-1/knit/printed-yarn-dyed.html

www.sewbaby.com

http://www.girlcharlee.com/knit-fabric-c-90.html

http://www.sewzannesfabrics.com/products01.php?view=boxview&family=knits&display=family_all

http://www.banberryplace.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13_80_31

http://www.naturesfabrics.com/cotton-fabric/cotton-interlock-and-cotton-terry.html?limit=all

StarSpry said...

Great job! Both the model and the dress look beautiful :)

Carrie P. said...

She looks so cute with her new dress and matching shoes. Well done!

Katie B. said...

You did a great job! Your daughter is lovely!

♥Duff said...

YOu're going to get hooked! Especially seeing s you can make little girl clothing. Oliver + S has some adorable choices, but you can't beat the pattern sales at Joann's fabrics.

NanaKathy said...

Another place to look for cute knit fabric is chezami.com. I'm purchased several different types of fabric from them and I've always been pleased with the quality.

O'Quilts said...

Wonderful job and such a joy to have a darling daughter..she of course looks just like Mommy:)

Annabella said...

Very cute - great job!

Flying Blind... said...

Well done you!!!

Scrap,Quilt, Preach said...

Great job on the dress. I find I often make dresses for my niece or some of her little friends and they turn out great. A lot better than dresses for me do! LOL.
I have had good luck with Simplicity 3511 and 3857. I just make a insert in the bodice/dress length to have enough to cover how tall my niece is.

felicity said...

Oh fabulous! My daughter is around the same age as yours and she still appreciates Mama-made....

Caren said...

I love the patterns Dana has on her blog MADE ( http://www.danamadeit.com/ ), lots of free tutorials. One ting I've learned - start simple, grow from there!

Amanda Murphy said...

Congratulations! I think kids' patterns by Oliver & S always work out great!

rachael said...

looks great!! i'm a big fan of patterns from figgy's, oliver + s, violette threads, and shwin designs. knit fabrics can be tough to find (good ones, at least), but i have had good luck at Girl Charlee's online shop.

rachael said...

oh, and luvinthemommyhood has some lovely free dress patterns too!

Leila said...

Awesome!

I have sewn quite a few dresses for my girls and ALWAYS add At Least 3 inches to the length. I don't know what it is about patterns, but they always seem too short - and my girls aren't even that tall. Plus I like a good seam allowance - I think it makes the dresses hang nicer.

I can't wait to see what else you make!

AnnieK said...

She looks adorable!

diane said...

You did a great job on the dress and I enjoyed reading the comments to get ideas for garment sewing and where to buy fabrics.

kelly said...

yeah!!! good job!

ThirdMargaret said...

Lovely first dress! My favorite patterns are Oliver + S, but I just started one from Clever Charlotte & I believe it'll be a winner!

blue.crab said...

Jennifer - Made by Rae had a whole series on sewing with knits, I'd check out her blog for some tips. I prefer to buy knits (the few times I needed them) in person, due to the wide variation in them. The dress looks great!

The Sewing Chick said...

Patty Young has some cute knit fabrics and some of her Mod Kid patterns are meant to be used with knits. I believe she has a new book out that is all about sewing with knits. Check it out! Good luck with your sewing...I always liked sewing for my girls the most!! Too bad they are too old now (that's why I quilt!)

Kelli said...

It looks great! I knew you could do it. :)
I have bought knits at JoAnn's and been very happy with them. Just like their quilting cottons, if it feels and looks good, then buy it. If it feels or looks cheap, leave it there!

There are great patterns all over the internet, I'll look and see what I've got saved and let you know...