KCWC - days 1 and 2 - nightgowns
May 10, 2011
Nightgowns!
I never got around to the Kids Clothing Week Challenge yesterday. I spent a lot more time dealing with the family room bookcases and didn't even finish those. I went to bed exhausted, but with a plan. I'd make up for day 1 by doubling my sewing effort on day 2. Check and check.
The nightgowns are exactly like the ones I made earlier this spring with the exception of the ruffled hem. I decided to skip that on this round. Please ignore the rumply look happening in the photo above. I was too lazy to find a place to hang them where there is decent light and, more obviously, couldn't be bothered with laying them out properly. Anyhow, this time Kate is getting the dot and Jane is getting the floral. I started cutting at about 10:30 this morning and finished both of them by 12:20. Quick and relatively painless - I did have to recut my binding strips for the green one and mess around with the serger a little. Without those setbacks, I could have finished these in about 1.25 hours.
I still have to finish the bookcases and then check another item off of my other list - clean out the car, maybe? I would love to squeeze in some more sewing later today as I have a good idea for a skirt for Jane. I'd better get chopping.
Love them! I'm going for simple today. Raglan sleeved dresses and maybe a simple skirt. Yesterday was a bust.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | May 10, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Guys, I haven't even started anything. I didn't plan in advance. No forethought here!
Posted by: Grace | May 10, 2011 at 03:34 PM
they are so sweet. :) my girls would love them, but I'm sure they'd wear them all day. Are the binding strips similar to double fold bias tape? For whatever reason I've never sewn binding onto knits - YET!
Posted by: anna | May 10, 2011 at 03:39 PM
those look so cute and comfy! i love the little bows, that's a perfect touch.
Posted by: kristin | May 10, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Erin, following your nightgown plan, do you think it would be worth it to make tanks for an adult for under other street clothes? I am long waisted and all the ones I do find scoop too low at the neckline. I keep buying tanks that I think will work and they might for 5 minutes or until I wash them. Any ideas?
Posted by: Suzanne | May 10, 2011 at 06:51 PM
The nightgowns I have underway are not quite finished. I am being distracted by coordinating shirts for Independence Day though.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | May 10, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Emma needs some of these, and I need that energy from your day 2.
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 10, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Nice! I dropped the ball on this week, entirely. I'd put my sewing machine (and related fabric mess) away for Eamonn's First Communion party, and decided that I kind of like how neat and clean my dining room looks without all the crafty clutter ;-)
Posted by: Lisa Clarke | May 11, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Hi Suzanne, I've sewn one tank for myself and it wasn't my greatest success. I think it could be done if you are willing to make a few mistakes in order to get the right fit. The book, Sew U Stretch, is a great resource.
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | May 12, 2011 at 07:00 AM
Hi Anna - the binding is more like single fold bias tape. You sew it to the front of the knit with raw edges and right sides aligned then flip it over to the back. The other raw edge is not folded under, but left as it is (knits don't ravel like wovens). Also, no need to cut the binding strips on the bias as the knits have enough stretch in them anyhow. Hope that helps! Erin
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | May 12, 2011 at 07:02 AM
thanks erin, that's pretty much what I was thinking. :)
Posted by: anna | May 17, 2011 at 08:33 PM