I like Anna, from FROZEN

Ahhh.... the question Elsa or Anna? Well as alluring and glamorous as Elsa is, there is something

From the cover of the pattern package

about Anna that I like better. Anna is the one who is actually brave and loyal. Elsa starts out hiding
from her problems. Anna is just more fun and realistic, with all her quirky weirdness. Plus she is a doer. She gets the job done, my kind of gal.

So it was very fun to get to make an Anna costume. I used the McCalls M7000 again. Since I had already used it a few times I knew it would go together smoothly.

The basics of the outfit are the same as the Elsa dresses. But I used very different fabrics and I got to make a cape! I love a good cape!

The little girl who ordered it picked it up yesterday and she was squealing and clapping with delight. It was SOOOOO cute. Her older sister got an Elsa dress. Her reaction to the Elsa dress was cute too "it's just so realistic", is actually a pretty good compliment from a Frozen obsessed seven year old girl.

I applied the applique to the flat cut out pattern pieces, which you should always do if possible. I also simplified the applique design a little. There are only so many hours in the day and it gives you the basic idea. The applique pieces are fleece. You know to go with the whole winter theme.

This is the front bodice piece. I used stretch sparkle velvet which is soft and cozy.

For the skirt I used blue satin and the white top is actually a fabric very similar to tights. It is stretch and soft.

I am going to be super honest and admit that there is not supposed to be a center seam in the skirt. The first one I burned. But that is what I get for being lazy and trying to use Heat & Bond instead of sewing. They look better sewn and they will stay on forever.


A trick for holding the applique pieces in place is to use glue stick. But you have to let it dry for a while before you sew. If you sew while the glue is still wet you just gum up your needle. And your fabric will still move on you.


Since I had burned the first piece I had to start over on the skirt front. Sadly I did not have enough fabric to do it in one piece. However I think it worked out just as lovely. And actually I think the dress looks nicely balanced with the one flower on the bodice and two on the skirt. I think more would have over powered the tiny gal who will be wearing this lovely gown. I simply serged the bottom of the skirt in pink the accent the pink in the flowers.

The cape is my very favorite part. I love the style, the color the whole thing is just fun. This is the same stretch sparkle velvet that I used for the bodice, but in fuchsia.

For the trim I used GIANT black ric rack, per request. And it turned out way better than I thought it would. The closure at the neck is a satin "frog" that is the same color. I bought a bunch of these when I was in China, this is the first one I have used.

I have to admit there is a little part of me that wants to make one of these capes for myself. And ironically I have already taken a different kids pattern and scaled it up for myself for my own personal Halloween costume.

Which hints at YES there are more costumes to come. Next I will show you my kiddo's costume and then my own. Hope you have pics of all the cuties who now own these costumes shortly after Halloween.

Only eight more days til the big day!!! Are you ready for trick-or-treaters? It's on a Friday this year, which means CHAOS will ensue........

p.s. If you have not yet seen this drag queen rocking out to "Let it Go" you really have to see it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgOFvFGRQ2Q  (Kid friendly) 

Been busy working all week.

It seams like Halloween was weeks ago already. I spent most of this week working on getting new products ready to take over to HomeGrown and listed on my Etsy site. On Friday I was one of the featured artists at HomeGrown for the art walk as a part of the Decatur Wine Festival. Basically I hung out at the shop and had snacks and talked to my fellow artists and met some fun customers.

I managed to get some more of my big lunch bags ready and my display at HG was looking pretty spiffy. Forgive the slightly grainy and out of focus phone picture.

I also got these cool little pouches over there. They come in various sizes and range from $6.00 - $18.00 dollars. These are some of the items I came up with to add to the shop for the holidays.

I am doing 2 more craft shows this year as well as having my Etsy sight pretty well stocked right now. I have 40 items listed which I think is the most I have ever managed to get up there. I made 60 napkins yesterday and hope to make at least that many tomorrow.

Here are some better pics of the lunch bags. They actually could also be a make-up / toiletries bag rather than a lunch bag if you wanted.

On a few of the bags I tried to be a little extra creative and added some applique. The flower on this one is felt and silk.

For the fist time ever Fabric.com let me down a little. I ordered more strap material and it took over a WEEK! for my order to get here. I was a little desperate to get some bags finished so I scoured the house and found two old belts and was able to use those to make handles. 

Over all it was a long week and had some challenges. But now it Sunday and I have had a nice morning of puttering. Guess I better go get dressed.

Have a great week! Hope I am back to talk to you before the week is out. Peace Out!
C

My summer version of a little black dress

Ok so it is not entirely black, but hey it is a summer dress. A while ago I bought this fabric panel.

It was on clearance for $2.50 or something like that and they gave me a panel and a half really.

When I got it I had the idea to applique it to a simple black dress to sort of showcase the pretty flowers. However it took me a while to decide on which dress to make.

I finally decided on the Audrey Afternoon dress from Indygo Junction. It is a very simple dress to make and has a nice shape. I thought it would be a good way to show off the flowers and make a comfortable wearable dress. Plus anything with a peasant style neckline is popular these days so I thought it would also be a modern looking dress.

There were a few steps to getting the flowers onto the front of the dress. I used a  heavy black linen for the dress. My first step was to cut out the fabric for the dress. I added a side seam pocket from another pattern. I also went ahead and sewed the darts on the front of the dress so that the flowers would be on top of the darts and not disappear into them.

Then I ironed some heat and bond to the flower fabric.  Basically the Heat and Bond turns your fabric into a giant sticker. I like to iron on a big piece and then cut out my design. This way you have Heat and Bond all over your appliques piece and it really nicely stays put while you sew. But make sure you get the light, sew-able type if you plan to sew through it. They make heavier weights that are good for other types of craft projects but are too heavy for applique.

Leave the paper backing on while your cut out your design. It makes it easier to cut and keeps the fabric from stretching out of shape while you cut out your design.

Next you peel off the paper backing. The back of the fabric will be shiny and feel like it is plastic coated. Basically it is now covered with heat activated glue. 

Then you iron your applique piece onto your fabric. For example I ironed the cut out flowers onto the front piece of my dress. Once it is ironed in place and cooled you then sew around the edges to hold it in place permenantely.

I simply sewed all around the edges with a straight stitch about 1/8" away from the edge. The Heat and Bond also helps the fabric stop fraying allowing you to sew super close to the edge.

I wore the finished dress last night for the first time. It was super comfy. But may be a little big. If I make this pattern again I will go down a size in the body of the dress and keep the sleeve the same. I do like the side seam pockets. They are a lot more functional than the patch pockets the pattern provides.

We went out with my cousins last night to Cakes and Ale and it was SUPER FABULOUS! If you have not been you should go!

I hope you are having a great weekend! I am off to figure out my next project.

Peace Out - C