2.04.2009

Easy Summer Dresses

Do you lack faith in your sewing abilities? 
Do you have an exceptional hatred for patterns
Do you suffer from CADD (craft attention deficit disorder - the inability to focus on any one project for a great length of time)?


If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, smocked fabric just might be the treatment you require*. This pre-gathered fabric makes dressmaking a breeze. Simply measure around the chest, and cut fabric at that length. Sew a single straight line, attach straps and you are cured of your seamstress woes. Once the smocking has taken full effect, you might even dare to add embellishments like ric rac or ruffles.

*Before beginning any sewing regimen, speak to your local fabric shop lady to see if smocking is right for you. Side effects include, but are not limited to, the desire to purchase yardage from every pattern, children who won't take the dresses off, and an inflated ego pertaining to your sewing abilities.


p.s. These make excellent twirling dresses.

p.s.s. I found the fabric at Hobby Lobby, but most fabric stores carry it in the spring and summer. Hurry if you want it; the "fabric lady" said when they run out they won't be ordering more of this specific pattern.

p.s.s.s. I made the straps from fabric that I cut from the bottom of little sister's dress.

p.s.s.s.s. Can you tell I am ready for warm weather?


32 comments:

Virginia said...

Cute cute cute.

Will be headed to HL shortly to get fabric since I too suffer from CADD.

Kristi said...

These are absolutely adorable!! Thank you for the great ideas :).

Mommy Managing said...

I had the same thought when I saw the smocked fabrics at HL! But, can I, a sewing virgin, truly attain the same uber-cute results? Hopefully! I've got a borrowed sewing machine in posession... Watch out YA'LL!

SouthernDogwoods said...

I saw the fabric and did not buy - why? Not sure! Going back tomorrow!!! I made some last year & loved the dresses & shirts on my daughters.

Anonymous said...

These are wonderful! I am going to have to look for some of this fabric!

Tracie said...

Cute dresses and sweet little girls!

Blake O'Quin said...

The girls look adorable in those dresses! Very funny post:) Also, just be happy you don't have CDD (craft deficit disorder)... that pretty much has no cure.

Tricia said...

CUUUUUTE! I have seen this fabric at Hobby Lobby recently...now I must go back and try this myself! Oh, and I got my bag yesterday!!! Thank you again...It's ADORABLE! I'll be posting it up on my blog later today. :)

Shannon Richardson said...

Oh my...these are adorable! And I bet even I can do it! Thanks for posting these. I love you blog and check it almost daily!!!

MammaDucky said...

Super-duper cute! Oh, and the dresses are cute too! HA!
I made my twinkies some of these last summer. I'm thinking I'll do it again with new patterns. Cute!!

Christy said...

How did you sew the ric rac on? I used large ric rac like that on a diaper bag, and eventually it curled.

The Fabulous Side of Me said...

So funny that you post this because I just borrowed a machine from a friend even though I have NO CLUE how to sew. I am dying to learn! Which that in mind, please tell me, when I go to HL, do I just ask for smocked fabric???

Kristen said...

TOO CUTE!!!! I also duffer from CADD. Maybe this is one I can finish!

Amanda and Katie said...

Those dresses are very cute!!

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

OOooooh, those turned out so well! I've been intimidated by smocking, and it's a relief to hear that I'm not the only one with a nasty case of CADD. I wonder if they're working on an effective treatment?

Best,
Amanda @ www.kiddio.org / www.housemade.org

Elisabeth Black said...

Those dresses are sweet, and your little girls are even sweeter.

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

me too!...i suffer from CADD and I am ready for warm weather. those are the cutest dresses.

Tina said...

Those are very cute and I love how you did the bottom. I am so ready for spring and summer to arrive too. This weekend is going to be 40 and it will feel like a heat wave.
Tina
Indiana

Jessica said...

I am so ready for warm weather! And I so have CADD!!!!

Anonymous said...

Another CADD sufferer here! Very cute!!!!

Bree said...

Wow, I love the dresses, very cute! Your girls look darling in them :) I love the optimism of warmer weather, Im currently having a day off of university due to the snow 'blizzard'!!

SoBella Creations said...

Cute!

Tricia said...

Just wanted to pop back over and let you know I linked to this tutorial on my blog...along with a thank you for my zippered bag! I ♥ it!

Karen said...

So cute! Learning to sew is my new year's resolution. Maybe a smocked dress will be my inaugural piece!?

4under3 said...

Oh.my.goodness!

The only thing that is cuter than these dresses, is your two daughters.

I'm going to check out Hob Lob tomorrow for this fabric so our 3 girls can have a dress.

Thanks.

Tiff

aimee said...

SO FREAKIN CUTE!

ashley morgan said...

I can't operate a sewing machine, but these dresses are so adorable! Maybe someday I could do this without sewing through my finger...

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

CADD - too funny! Your daughters look adorable in their new dress - love teh action shot of them twirling:)

Amy said...

Love them!

queenbee said...

You are a crafting genius and I want to try everyone of your projects. I just started to sew, so I have a longgg way to go, but its fun. Do you have instructions on how to make the ottoman cover. I have an ottoman that I really want to cover. I'll be drooling over your projects in the mean time.

The Peterson family said...

love these dresses- I just found some fabric at my HL and can't wait to try and make something for my girls!!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Both the dresses and the girls :)