KCWC: Days 5 & 6

Thanks for all the nice comments and suggestions on my last post. I, too, had thought to put a tank top under the Wiksten Tank dress, but it still didn't work. Drat. My bet is that it will fit next summer and until then, it's mighty cozy for sleeping. Based on a couple of comments saying that the Tova is sized smaller than the tank, I went ahead and sewed the Tova dress for Kate. I cut it out and sewed most of it on day 5. On day 6, I sewed the collar on and it was done.

It fits!

I did opt to make it sleeveless so it'd get some wear immediately. It was easy to do. I just bound the armholes like I did on the tank. It's still a bit roomy which is fine - she'll get to wear it throughout the entire summer.

The other change I made was to sew the bottom half of the placket closed. I thought about using buttons, but went for the easier and faster route. Based on my experience sewing these two patterns for the girls, I'm realizing that their shoulder to chest measurement is much shorter than a grown woman's. Something to consider if you plan on sewing this for a tween/teen.

So here I find myself on day 7 of the challenge. I'm completely inspired to keep sewing. Fingers crossed that I get one more garment completed for Jane today. I'd love to keep going with some things for myself. I sometimes forget that sewing clothes can be fun once you have a few go-to patterns. The selfish sewing won't happen this week, though. I have to clean up my mess before my houseguests get here on Wednesday.

Happy sewing, you all. Check out the KCWC flickr pool for tons more inspiration!

Comments

[Sarah :: greenclogs]

It looks fantastic! I'm hoping to finish up two dresses today - life got in the way of my plans for the last two days. Also, I may want that pattern after all. I love it.

[Emily]

That is adorable! And the teeny strand of pearls makes it. I would've loved this as a kid!

[amy h]

This dress came out so cute, Erin! It looks great.

[Julie]

It looks great on her!! I'd wondered about making this pattern sleeveless--love it!

[Brooke]

Love what you have accomplished. Lucky girls. The dress is a perfect fit....love the fabric. It's familiar to me, but I can't quite remember....Moda Ruby, maybe? Anyway, fun print for a girls summer dress.

You've inspired me to dig out a fig tree pattern (that I've owned for two years) to make a summer dress for my four year old. I'm a quilt maker....not a seamstress. Dress making is stressful to me, where quilt making is enjoyable. However, I did manage two pillowcase dresses on Easter weekend and it has encouraged me that perhaps I could take one more baby step forward.

Thanks for taking the time to share. I enjoy your blog very much and the sewing posts are my favorites!

[meg]

you must be so happy! this is as perfect as it gets.

[Suzanne]

I have a long list of things of things to sew for myself. I will be delighted if any one of them comes out as nicely as your dress for Kate. I hope you keep up the momentum.

[Sarah]

lovely!

[Angie]

Well, now I want a sleeveless Tova dress! It looks lovely.

[Debi]

I love the pattern and your choice of fabric was perfect!!

[Laura]

Really looks sweet! I've closed the lower inch or so of the Tova placket recently, too. It does eliminate the daring plunge neckline & let's you wear it w/o a tank under. Win-win! You made some beautiful & cheery clothes this week!

[Beki]

Wow, thats wonderful!! Good job, mama :)

[flowerpress]

That looks so good sleeveless, and great fabric. Pity its autumn here so I'll have to wait to make one.
I agree about the placket, I've sewn both mine closed as they seem to gape. I'm going to try buttons on the next.

[Annalia]

Beautiful! I wouldn't mind having a dress out of that fabric myself. :)

[Erin]

Thank you Annalia!

[Erin]

I think a sleeveless top under a cardigan sweater is always good, no matter the season. Maybe you should go ahead and make one now!

[Erin]

Thanks, Beki!

[Erin]

Thanks, Laura! It's been very fun sewing for the girls and actually having them want me to.

[Erin]

Thank you Debi!

[Erin]

Me, too! Thanks, Angie.

[Erin]

Thanks, Sarah.

[Erin]

Thank you, Suzanne. I hope I can ride this sewing wave, too.

[Erin]

I was even happier when she wore it all afternoon!

[Erin]

Thanks, Brooke. The fabric is DS Quilts for JoAnn's. I can't remember which line, exactly. And if you take your time, you can sew any clothing, especially if you quilt. Good luck!

[Erin]

Thank you, Amy!

[Erin]

Thanks, Emily!

[Erin]

Thanks, Julie. I've been wanting to make this sleeveless for a long time. The next one is for me!

[katerina]

Love love love it.

Katerina FF
Greece

[Marcy]

How did you adjust for the shorter shoulder to bust measurement? I love how the dress came out.

I have a similar problem in that my girls are 11 and 14, and finding great tween and teen stuff to make them is soooo hard!

[Erin]

Marcy - I didn't adjust it. I just sewed the bottom part of the placket shut. I think you'd have to re-draft the placket and the front to make both shorter in that area. Good luck! Erin

[Marcy]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to see what you get made with your last day...

[jennifer]

Really nice job - love it. I wish I could take sewing lessons from you!

[Meagan]

That is really cute! I think my next Tova will be a sleeveless version!

[Morgan]

Erin- I am IN LOVE with these- great job!