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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Playdresses  |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 09:08:01 AM
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I am looking for a very simple idea for a play dress. My girls go through their jeans so fast, and with summer coming I would love to have some light cotton dresses for them to wear around. Has anyone seen any good patterns/ sites that could work? I would love to just use up some of my left-overs and save some jeans at the same time!
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 09:43:25 AM
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I end up doing a lot of jumpers for my daughter (she's four). They go together lightning fast, can be cut out of the strangest pieces (right now we have one made out a beloved dress of mine that I ruined and two others made out of saris found at the thrift store), and you don't have to set in sleeves. If you reuse fabric you can place pattern pieces so you will not need to hem or make button plackets.
The dress I ruined was a baby courderoy with princess seams and a front button placket -- the jumper I got out of it also has a front button placket and princess seams, and it's adorable.
They also give me an excuse to pull out the embroidery machine -- the bib section is such a nice place to put a little design.
Best,
Robin |
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Peanut
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jennifer
Waverly
Virginia
USA
603 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 10:02:43 AM
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i have to be honest. I hate pillowcase dresses. I think they look frumpy and dumpy and really like you have no money at all. Even if you don't have money and have to make your clothes, you don't have to look like it, ya'know. There is such an easy way to use a pillow case and cut a cute A line jumper out of it instead.
I usually just eyeball my girls and cut out a line jumpers. those seem to be nice for the summer. They have on nothing or dresses in the summer and that is about it unless they are playing in the forest.
[size=1]
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 10:30:09 AM
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When my daughter was young, somebody gave us some dresses that were t-shirts or tank tops on top and a gathered-fabric skirt was added to the bottom of the shirt. That would be pretty easy...
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 10:56:55 AM
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Oh yes! I've done that -- take t-shirts and cut 'em off, then serge a gathered fabric skirt to the bottom. I stopped only because I couldn't find tees cheap enough in my daughter's size once she outgrew those Gerber shirt packs. But there are probably sources that I'm missing.
Best,
Robin |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 1:37:42 PM
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oooo I just remembered one I made 2 years ago for Grace. I found a boys undershirt that is sleeveless, tie dyed it and added some frill across the chest, just a little ribbon and some lace and some lace at the bottom. Put it in the fair and got a second place ribbon in the recycled clothing category! it's super easy!
[size=1]
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Farmgirl Sister #88
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
http://youtube.com/profile?user=GaiasRose
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
"Joyful chaos, working in tune with the seasons, telling itme by the sun, variety, change and self-direction; all this wwas replaced with a brutal, standardized work culture, the effects of which we are still suffering from today." - Tom Hodgkinson in 'How To Be Idle' |
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4forMe
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
Dawn
Easton
MD
166 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 2:15:45 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Peanut
How about pillowcase dresses? They look sooo cool and comfortable for summer.
http://www.everythingsewing.net/pillowcase_dress_how_to.htm
I was going to suggest pillowcase dresses too! I loved them when my daughter was little, and if the sewing is done with attention to detail, they can be quite cute.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 4. |
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Peanut
True Blue Farmgirl
603 Posts
Jennifer
Waverly
Virginia
USA
603 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 2:24:25 PM
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Ha! "Poor" wasn't the first thing that came to mind when I saw the picture in that link!
My blog: http://thecottonwife.wordpress.com/
"John Deere. We stand behind everything we sell. Except the manure spreader." |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 3:56:30 PM
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My oldest daughter is 10 and my youngest is one...and there are 3 girls in between. My 10 yr old wont do dresses anymore but all the others still do, I have one pattern I have made hundreds of...It sews up in less than an hour including cutting time, and I have found I lay out a stack of fabric and cut 5 at a time and they are fab. I think I have a pic of a few from last summer on my photobucket..be right back
#56 |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 4:00:05 PM
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#56 |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 4:04:10 PM
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They hang kinda' funny on adult hangers, but they are easy to make and fun for summer, they can squat in the garden or behind a tree and if they get wet or muddy, they dry fast hung on a tree branch, and they are good for play and can still look decent for everything else. And in the fall, just put a long sleeve tshirt under and you are good to go...in winter, felt your wool sweaters, make leggings and you still have an outfit that you did not have to go through the hassle of packing away until next summer!
#56 |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 5:09:50 PM
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What darling ideas! Love them ALL! Thank you so so much! My girls are just ga-ga for dresses, and I love the simplicity of these ideas.
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
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suzyhomemaker
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
Clare
Tyler Hill
PA
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Apr 04 2008 : 1:28:17 PM
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I made lots of those tee dresses. Cut the tee like an empirre waist. Take 1/2 to 3/4 yard fabric. Make side seam by folding it in half. Hem bottom or wait until you try it on. Gather top of fabric to fit tee. See it on. Serge or zigzag or pink to finish joined seam. Presto!!
I also love jumpers. I have made my daughter lots as she grew. I bought the pattern in various sizes and traced them out on tracing paper as she grew, cutting only the largest size. Maddie wore these forever (probably until 10). She wore tees underneath for warm weather and long sleeved tops and long john bottoms for winter. we had some fun prints, but I loved the flannel ones best.
I made these for my friend's twind this fall and now that I had the time, I added ruffles along the bottom. I love how you can add things to make them frilly and fun.
Jess, I never made five at a time. You must be pretty quick with the machine. I bet you can do them almost blindfolded. :-)
Country girl in NE PA |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 08:49:12 AM
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Well ladies you have made me confused. I have my first grandbaby on it way and I was leaning towards a want of a baby boy. But with all this talk of dresses and seeing the pics I'm not sure. I remember making dress for my DD and how beautiful and fun they were to make and have her wear. Of course gender will not matter healthy is always the first concern. Maybe twins would be nice. One of each!!!!!! Don't tell the mother to be please. 
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 09:41:25 AM
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Healthy is good, twins are fun...I wish we would have twins again. Mine are both girls. It has been a long time since I had a baby boy, mine are nearly 7 and 5...and you know there are 5 girls, so a boy would be a good addition and I think my boys would love it. Either way Betty you will have fun.
#56 |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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bboopster
True Blue Farmgirl
1140 Posts
Betty Jo
West Bend
Wisconsin
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 3:25:16 PM
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ADD is quite the challenge BTDT with 4 out of my 5.
http://www.bboopster.blogspot.com
3 Blue Star Mother and Proud of it!
Pray for our troops to come home safe and soon.
Enjoying the road to the simple life :>) |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2008 : 10:23:36 PM
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Ok, so I whipped up a rough draft wrap dress that is a start. Needs work, but it's a start! The girls went crazy over the fabrics I pulled out, though, and I think I will try to fine tune the wrap and attempt Jessica's darling pattern (shown above, and by the way I have about 10 yards of that same chicken fabric. Don't know for sure what I was thinking at the time in terms of quantity, but I'm sure my great-grandkids will someday be receiving handmade goodies from me with the never ending supply of that fabric....). The weather makes me want to run around in a play dress, too!
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 05:47:27 AM
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That is exactly what I did with that chicken fabric. I bought 14 yards adn made 3 aprons, 3 dresses, some small purses, and a few pieces to a set of quilt squares!
#56 |
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marmieto12
True Blue Farmgirl
213 Posts
laura
utah
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 07:57:19 AM
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Awe the jumpers are adorable!
For my girls the jumpers with shorts/capri/bloomers made of the same fabric-then you will be able to use the oodles of fabric. Make little bandanas/scarfs too.
I use patterns from the fabric store when they are on sale for $1.00-$1.99. Simple no buttons or zippers. I also like the twirly skirts from the Tee shirt with gathered skirt attached. Use boy's undershirts. A pkg of tee shirts and scrap fabric will yield some inexpensive dress. You could dress up the tees with ruffles or ribbons.
Another idea, use the tops of old jeans, cut below the back pockets and make tiered skirt. This way you can use several scraps to make an adorable skirts.
I buy fabric by the bolt when it is a good deal. I have some "quilted" fall fabric..geez what was I thinking. So far I made some table runners for Thanksgiving. We have 5 large tables up for the holidays. It looked nice to have decorations to help with the white plastic table tops!
Maybe some warm skirts next?
Laura;Dreaming of big girl farm...
Farmgirl # 148
http://lilsfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
Chapter http://justsimplythegirls.blogspot.com |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 09:07:32 AM
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"Big Girl" playdresses sound great!!!!!
I've been meaning to whip up a few of those crossover painter-smock-type aprons (the ones cut in three pieces, with shoulder seams and side seams, finished with binding) out of some pretty sheer voiles or whatnot to wear over my usual uniform of tee-and-a-denim-skirt to pretty it up a bit.
Not very practical as far as aprons go, but definitely the "artsy" vibe I love!
Best,
Robin |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 8:01:40 PM
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yes just what i need...but i dont seem to be that thin anymore
#56 |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 9:22:52 PM
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I think this kind of wrap dress would be AWFULLY cute over jeans, even on a lady less than this stick-slender.
Best,
Robin |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 06:04:50 AM
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Oh, my gosh! That is perfect! SO cute.
"There is a Happy Dale far, far away. . ." -Arsenic and Old Lace |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Playdresses |
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Playdresses
