Pattern Testing - The Megan Dress

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to pattern test another great dress pattern from Petite Kids Boutique.  This one is called the Megan Dress.  It has not been listed in shop yet, but should be as testing is nearing completion.  It will be available in sizes 12 months to 8 years.  My little angel is modeling the 18 month size and she can't be bothered to stay still for long, so my shots are limited. 



Isn't that lace up back just the cutest thing?

 

The hardest thing about this pattern would have to be the button holes and they really aren't THAT difficult.  Check out her other great patterns, too, through the link above.  You will have the best dressed girl in town.

Team Spirit Bandana Dress

College Football is officially underway and with today being Team Colors today I thought it was the perfect time to make this adorable little bandana dress.  If you have seen my Hanky Hem Bandana Top then you are off to a great start, because this simple little dress starts off the same way!

 

What you will need for this project

•  2 bandanas (in team colors) - Go Tigers!
• T-shirt
• Grosgrain ribbon - optional

The first thing you will do is cut your bandanas in half on the diagonal so you have 4 triangles as in the picture above.

 

 

Then you need to cut off about 3-5 inches from each end corner depending on the size of your child.  I did 3 inches for my 15-month-old and it still allowed for lots of ruffle.

 

 

Now with right sides facing you will sew the short ends of like bandanas.  Ex. I did my two purple ones together, and my two Clemson print ones together.  Then finish that seam. 

For the next steps I forgot to take a picture so please do not be concerned when you see the bandanas are the wrong color.  I just used these from my bandana top tutorial to substitute.  If you need any clarification on this step you can go here.

 

Open your bandanas up and place one of them inside the other.  Line them up so that they look like the picture above and pin.

Now you will adjust your stitch length to the longest setting and put two rows of basting stitches around the top edge.  DO NOT BACKSTITCH.  There is only one in this photo, but you need two rows.  You will take the long string from the bottom side your work and knot one side so that it sets that work.  Take the long strand on the other end of your work on the bottom and pull, so that it ruffles.  If you have never done this type of gather before you can go here for more information. 

You are going to put your t-shirt inside of your skirt bottom you have been working on. The right side of your bandanas should face the right side of your shirt.  You will adjust the ruffles so that it fits the size of your shirt.  Make sure you align the side seams so that your bandana hem hangs in the right position.  Depending on the length of your t-shirt and how tall your child is you have have to add it up higher on the shirt and cut off some of the length of the shirt.  My shirt was a little long so I cut it off first.  Then when you have everything adjusted accordingly you will stitch your skirt onto your shirt.  Make sure you readjust your stitch length for this step to a shorter stitch length.  Then you need to finish that seam and trim the edges.

Now flip your skirt down and if you wish you can add a ribbon like I did just for some added detail.  Put it on your little girl and CHEER CHEER CHEER!

 

 

Pattern Testing

This feels like it has been one nonproductive week.  Every project I have started has ended up taking longer than I anticipated, because one thing went wrong or another.  Please tell me I am not the only one who has weeks like this?  I was starting to think I had lost my crafty touch.  Starting this week full of projects has got to be better.  I started it off today with a bang by completing a pattern testing for Petite Kids Boutique on the cutest little sundress that she is calling the Haven sundress.  I'm betting you will see it in her shop in the next week or so.  It really was an easy pattern to follow and the results should just speak for themself.  ADORABLE!