Toddler bloomers/pillowcase dress (NEW UPDATE: PIC W/ VINTAGE CASE POST #14)

[limabean]

I'm very new to sewing (learned how to thread my machine just about a week ago! ) and can't distinguish a good pattern from a bad one, so I thought I'd ask for some input.

Does this look like a good pattern for making bloomers to go under dresses? I want to make my 2yo DD a few solid-colored pairs to go under dresses I've bought that didn't come with a matching pair. I kind of like more blouse-y ones, and these look a little sleeker, almost like underwear -- does anyone know of a (free?) online pattern for a looser pair? In the sketch of the one I linked, I don't get what part "B" is -- in examining a pair of DD's, it looks like it's just 2 pieces sewn together, with a seam on each hip and a seam in the center of the crotch.

Also, I'm planning to make her a pillowcase dress and found this pattern -- does it look like a good one? I'm thinking it'd also be cute if it tied in the front instead of tying over each shoulder -- does anyone have input on how best to do that?

Thanks!

[ms.shell]

here's a tut for bloomers in the style you are wanting, made from a pillowcase as well:
http://homegrownrose.typepad.com/rec...rs-tutori.html

it looked like there were lots more when i googled "tutorial girls bloomers."

[limabean]

Oh great, I found a tutorial for the cutest bloomers ever, but I have a bunch of cotton jersey that I bought because that's what the first tutorial said to use. Could I use the new technique with the cotton jersey, or do I need to use a woven material for it to work?



Either way, I'm definitely scouring antique shops soon for vintage hankies so I can make these new bloomers -- so cute!!

[thixle]

New to sewing: cotton jersey kinda sucks. It won't lay flat, going around curves is torture, it "ruffles" when you don't want it to

The straight bloomers ms.shell linked to would be awesome and fairly simple with cotton jersey knit (t-shirt type). Just be aware, it's going to ruffle at some point when you are learning. Which can be cute. You just have to work with it, not against it For example, you don't really have to hem cause it won't fray

You can do the hanky bloomers with knit, it will just be a bit harder around that crotch curve... and they won't look like hanky bloomers

Oh, the dress... I wouldn't use the pattern, lol. I like this tute... the one you linked is just... too strict for me. Printing & enlarging, I do not do Check out indietutes for gobs of wonderful beginner info, tips, projects. I've had a craft-crush on her for years

eta-- You can make it tie in the front by doing this: http://www.savvyseams.com/techniques/drawstring.php... It's totally easier to do just one side-tie, tho

[allnaturalmom]

I have been in the mood to whip up a pillowcase dress lately, too. I just picked up these at Joann's $1 sale last weekend:

http://www.simplicity.com/p-5104-toddlers-dresses.aspx

and

http://www.simplicity.com/p-4993-chi...e-fashion.aspx

I love the on-line tutorials, but sometimes I just want a pattern, LOL!

[limabean]

Thank you both so much for the links! I wish I had seen them before last night -- I got started on the dress and promptly got stuck. Is there a way out of this or do I need to rip my seams and start over?

So I cut the armholes and made the casings for the ribbons, then I made my own bias tape to finish the armholes and was feeling rather smug. Then I pinned the bias tape over the armholes and was marveling at how nice it looked ... when I realized that it covers up the openings of the ribbon casings.

What do I do? Was I supposed to put the bias tape on before I folded the fabric down to create the casings? Do I need to rip the casings open and start over?

[ms.shell]

uh-oh! i have done dumb stuff like this lots of times (NOT calling you dumb; ime it definitely happens)s
i think you will have to rip it out and redo. this used to suck so bad until i made peace with the seam ripper. i saw a mama on a blog post an ode to it and called the seam ripper her "best friend." some seam rippers are nicer than others, btw...you can get them curved and straight. right now i am working on a dress for me, and i dont have a dress form yet (and am winging the pattern), so i have been sewing it together with LONG basting seams (set my machine at 5), and trying it on and then ripping and redoing and just knowing that to get this dress right, i WILL be using that tool A LOT.
this is going well and so i think in the future i might baste everything together and check and resew....this def. beats ripping seams backstitched and sewn tightly. just fwiw. just start making friends with it, cuz chances are you will need it lots.

[limabean]

Originally Posted by ms.shell

uh-oh! i have done dumb stuff like this lots of times (NOT calling you dumb; ime it definitely happens)s
i think you will have to rip it out and redo. this used to suck so bad until i made peace with the seam ripper.

That's what I figured -- thanks for your help. And actually the commiseration helps -- I don't feel like you're calling me dumb. The pillowcase I bought was just the cheapest package I could find at Target, and it came in a pack of 2, so I might just start all over on the second case and use the messed-up one to make more bias tape, since the first pieces I made are too short if they also need to cover the seam allowance.

Thanks again -- I guess this is how we learn, right? Thank goodness I'm "practicing" on these cheap pillowcases instead of jumping right in to a beautiful vintage one.

(And I'm still kinda proud of myself for even knowing what terms like "bias tape" and "seam allowance" mean! )

[limabean]

I did it!!

I started all over using the 2nd pillowcase, and this time since I knew what order to do everything in, it only took about 75 minutes!

Here's a picture of the finished dress -- my very first sewing project ever! I don't know what's up with my barely-2-year-old-DD's supermodel pose. Now off to find some gorgeous vintage pillowcases to use for next time!

[MommyLyon]

very cute!

[thixle]

Very sweet!

[ms.shell]

that is precious and i love the pose!

[hildare]

Yay! stripes are so nice!

[limabean]

Thanks!

I went to an antique store over the weekend and found the most beautiful vintage pillowcases, most of which were ridiculously expensive (like $40/$50 for a single case), but I found a set of 2 really sweet little-girl cases for $16 and snapped them up. The design is painted on it looks like, but I'm going to embroider over the painted lines.

The dress came out really cute! I'm having so much fun learning to sew -- it's so fun to see a project come to life!

ETA: I made bloomers too (bought a Butterick pattern at the fabric store) and ... yikes! They're functional since they're mostly unseen anyway, but the crotch is all bunchy and they just don't fit that great. I used cotton jersey, and it was SO hard to sew it straight without it bunching up and sliding sideways. I think I'll try the same pattern with a non-stretch cotton and see if it comes out better.

[mbm]

Those are very cute dresses! I especially like the one from the vintage case. It really looks like it could be an expensive boutique dress.

The bloomer pattern should work better with a plain cotton fabric. Good luck!

[hildare]

the soon-to-be embroidered one is awesome!

[Reosmom]

Lima Bean, Do you realize that you can make a pillow case dress from any fabric? You don't have to use a pillow case.

This is a pillowcase dress that I made for my 9 year old granddaughter for her birthday--she loves horses!

[AAK]

Originally Posted by Reosmom 

Lima Bean, Do you realize that you can make a pillow case dress from any fabric? You don't have to use a pillow case.

This is a pillowcase dress that I made for my 9 year old granddaughter for her birthday--she loves horses!

 I, for one, am glad to hear this!  My kids are too big to use an actual pillowcase anymore, but the dresses are so cute.  

Thanks

Amy