Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Charlotte's Geranium Dress
Charlotte's baby shower was last weekend. This is not the normal sequencing of most baby showers, but with an international move for both myself and my mother and a sister changing states within the U.S. having a post baby shower ended up working great! The theme of the party with pink and gold (as you know I love glitter) and Charlotte needed a dress that would meet the party theme.
I have been saving a Narwhal print by Sarah Jane from the Out to Sea collection for a special occasion. I love her fabrics and designs. She brings a beautiful childlike dream quality to her work which makes me think of my own childhood. After selecting the fabric I needed a pattern. I had picked up some Simplicity patterns during a 99 cent Joann Fabrics sale during my last minute baby crafting craze but honestly they did not look that inspiring.
I had been admiring the Geranium dress pattern by Made by Rae for a long time and decided that this would be the perfect pattern to try. It was awesome! I think after trying out a pdf sewing pattern I don't know if I will ever want to go back to a traditional paper sewing pattern. With full scale color images explaining each step and a huge online community of inspiration and trouble shooting guidance it made sewing a breeze and I finished the dress in about 2.5 hours.
I made the 0-3 months size of the pattern for the bodice, but for the skirt the 24 months size. Charlotte is really long! Plus I liked the extra gathers the larger length provided and by creating a deeper hem should be able to make a new bodice to attach to the skirt once she grows out of the 0-3 month size. As you know babies grow fast! I chose not to do the hem stitching and instead blind stitched the inside lining following the pattern tutorial. As I do not have a serger I also used french seaming techniques for all the seams in the skirt to create a beautiful inside finish.
To finish the dress up I added a gold crocheted collar, which was something of a pain to design the pattern! I worked on it during dentist appointments, trips to dinner with friends and watching late night movies and I actually finished it! The last minute addition was the gold crocheted bow on her headband. Made quickly in the car it was the perfect addition.
Did I mention those pretty sequin shoes? Check back for the details on how to make those!
I have been saving a Narwhal print by Sarah Jane from the Out to Sea collection for a special occasion. I love her fabrics and designs. She brings a beautiful childlike dream quality to her work which makes me think of my own childhood. After selecting the fabric I needed a pattern. I had picked up some Simplicity patterns during a 99 cent Joann Fabrics sale during my last minute baby crafting craze but honestly they did not look that inspiring.
I had been admiring the Geranium dress pattern by Made by Rae for a long time and decided that this would be the perfect pattern to try. It was awesome! I think after trying out a pdf sewing pattern I don't know if I will ever want to go back to a traditional paper sewing pattern. With full scale color images explaining each step and a huge online community of inspiration and trouble shooting guidance it made sewing a breeze and I finished the dress in about 2.5 hours.
I made the 0-3 months size of the pattern for the bodice, but for the skirt the 24 months size. Charlotte is really long! Plus I liked the extra gathers the larger length provided and by creating a deeper hem should be able to make a new bodice to attach to the skirt once she grows out of the 0-3 month size. As you know babies grow fast! I chose not to do the hem stitching and instead blind stitched the inside lining following the pattern tutorial. As I do not have a serger I also used french seaming techniques for all the seams in the skirt to create a beautiful inside finish.
To finish the dress up I added a gold crocheted collar, which was something of a pain to design the pattern! I worked on it during dentist appointments, trips to dinner with friends and watching late night movies and I actually finished it! The last minute addition was the gold crocheted bow on her headband. Made quickly in the car it was the perfect addition.
Did I mention those pretty sequin shoes? Check back for the details on how to make those!
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| Mr. C. giving Charlotte a hug for being such a great model! |
Sunday, October 26, 2014
A DIY Pink & Gold Postpartum Baby Shower
We had such a lovely time with friends and family at my post-baby shower. While it was not the most traditional, having a baby shower after the baby arrives it was perfect for our little family. My parents and youngest sister flew in Brazil and another sister from the east coast to meet us at the family homestead in Michigan.
So many people we love came to the party. We had homemade cupcakes, a handmade photo backdrop (seriously can you believe how cool that is??), handmade cupcake toppers and glittered clothespins and tiny chocolate covered cookies. We had games with Brazilian golden grass jewelry prizes. Of course we also had to have a table for friends and family to leave notes and messages for Charlotte along with their instax camera shot!
My five sisters and mother created everything you see even the tassel banners. It rocks to have a large family that loves you and is handy with...well their hands. Charlotte was such a sweetheart at the shower posing, smiling, snuggling and saying hello. These pictures of Charlotte in the Made by Rae Geranium dress I created (see here for details) are some of my favorite pictures of her so far.
So many people we love came to the party. We had homemade cupcakes, a handmade photo backdrop (seriously can you believe how cool that is??), handmade cupcake toppers and glittered clothespins and tiny chocolate covered cookies. We had games with Brazilian golden grass jewelry prizes. Of course we also had to have a table for friends and family to leave notes and messages for Charlotte along with their instax camera shot!
My five sisters and mother created everything you see even the tassel banners. It rocks to have a large family that loves you and is handy with...well their hands. Charlotte was such a sweetheart at the shower posing, smiling, snuggling and saying hello. These pictures of Charlotte in the Made by Rae Geranium dress I created (see here for details) are some of my favorite pictures of her so far.
Such a sweet and lovely day!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
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