Tamara

That’s exactly how I did the zipper. Works great doesn’t it? And I used that fabric for a roller skate dress. And mim22, that’s how we did it. Don’t sew up the side seams until after the zipper is in. Wish I had figured that part out first. : )

Sarvi, I rushed and made a mess of it. None of the seams line up! I know better.

Difficult to determine the exact type of fabric but you’ll find something that looks similar in the bridal section of a fabric store.
A quick search say’s the dress designer is Christopher Lawrence and he found a vintage cut-out fabric (the circles) that he lay over the dress top and the hem section is airbrushed in a pattern he calls hidden…[Read more]

Someone might suggest the Coco dress by Tilly and the buttons with the funnel neck option. If they do, don’t listen, I think it’s pretty poorly drafted.
There must be a vintage Vogue pattern that’s similar surely….
If you find it I’ll have a dress just like your daughter’s please. 🙂

Did you taper off the edge of the dart slowly and tie the ends of it by hand rather than backstitching? If not, that might be the problem. Maybe if you take a photo we might be able to troubleshoot.

In order of speed from fastest to slowest, I have made:

Quickest:
Music Box
Playtime
Seashore

Slightly less quick but still pretty fast:
Ice Cream
Bubble

A little fiddlier on account of the pleats and sleeves:
Family Reunion

Most time-consuming:
Jumprope
Playdate

My favorite is Playtime – I’ve sewn four of them and have another cut out, but…[Read more]

In order of speed from fastest to slowest, I have made:

Quickest:
Music Box
Playtime
Seashore

Slightly less quick but still pretty fast:
Ice Cream
Bubble

A little fiddlier on account of the pleats and sleeves:
Family Reunion

Most time-consuming:
Jumprope
Playdate

My favorite is Playtime – I’ve sewn four of them and have another cut out. I…[Read more]

In order of speed from fastest to slowest, I have made:

Quickest:
Music Box
Playtime
Seashore

Slightly less quick but still pretty fast:
Ice Cream
Bubble

A little fiddlier on account of the pleats and sleeves:
Family Reunion

Most time-consuming:
Jumprope
Playdate

@Kerrilyn as an Aussie cyclist I can share some lycra laundry tips!
Wash lycra clothes (bike gear, swim suits, high lycra content knits) in wool wash not detergent.
Always dry on a clothes horse in the shade not on the line in full sun! Now that the sponsorships have ended I have to make my knicks last forever!!
Second the Roller skate as one of…[Read more]

@Kerrilyn as an Aussie cyclist I can share some lycra laundry tips!
Was lycra clothes (bike gear, swim suits, high lycra content knits) in wool wash not detergent.
Always dry on a clothes horse in the shade not on the line in full sun! Now that the sponsorships have ended I have to make my knicks last forever!!
Second the Roller skate as one of…[Read more]

Kerrilyn as an Aussie cyclist I can share some lycra laundry tips!
Was lycra clothes (bike gear, swim suits, high lycra content knits) in wool wash not detergent.
Always dry on a clothes horse in the shade not on the line in full sun!
Second the Roller skate as one of the quickest dresses to sew, and I love the Hopscotch too. Ice Cream dress could…[Read more]

Roller Skate is the quickest and seems to look fantastic regardless of the fabric used. The scissor ranking is a pretty good indicator of how long a dress will take. I don’t find the 3 scissors patterns harder, just longer to do because of the details.

I’m sewing a fairy tale dress for Sophie. Sized it up to a 14, and did a sway back adjustment. Made a couple of muslins of the top only. The fashion fabric is Chinese brocade so I decided to add a circle skirt rather than the gathered one. Lazily decided not to find the pattern instructions and have been enjoying the challenge. Which has…[Read more]

I’m sewing a fairy tale dress for Sophie. Sized it up to a 14, and did a sway back adjustment. Made a couple of muslins of the top only. The fashion fabric is Chinese brocade so I decided to add a circle skirt rather than the gathered one. Lazily decided not to find the pattern instructions and have been enjoying the challenge. Which has…[Read more]

Congratulations to Hugo!

The big news over here (accompanied by a coming-out photo on Flickr) is that I am expecting our fourth. About 17 weeks now and feeling much better now that I’m out of the icky first trimester. I’ve heard the transition from 3 to 4 is much easier than 2 to 3 … counting on those of you with large lovely families to…[Read more]

Congratulations to Hugo!

The big news over here (accompanied by a coming-out photo on Flickr) is that I am expecting our fourth. About 17 weeks now and feeling much better now that I’m out of the icky first trimester. I’ve heard the transition from 3 to 4 is much easier than 2 to 3 … counting on those of you with large lovely families to…[Read more]

Congratulations to Hugo!

The big news over here (accompanied by a coming-out photo on Flickr) is that I am expecting our fourth. About 17 weeks now and feeling much better now that I’m out of the icky third trimester. I’ve heard the transition from 3 to 4 is much easier than 2 to 3 … counting on those of you with large lovely families to…[Read more]

I must plan an easy buffet
Put the best plates out on display
My Wedgewood and Spode….
And on them we’ll load