A Little Summer Dress

Is anybody still out there? I seriously doubt it at this point. J and I have been terrible bloggers. I haven't had the crafting bug lately. I've started a bunch of knitting and sewing projects, only to leave them doomed to UFO status. I'm afraid to start anything new on the knitting side - everything just takes so long. Plus, it's been quite hot here in SoCal lately. However, I did miraculously get the sewing bug on Sunday thanks to a tutorial I found online for a shirred sundress. Allegedly, no pattern was required, so I made a quick trip to Beverly's for some fun, girly, summery fabric, and set about making a new dress for my niece. I didn't bother getting her measurements or anything, figuring that the bodice of the dress would stretch to accommodate her. I only knew she is 42 inches tall (at 4 yrs old, btw).

I had never shirred before, and I was nervous. It wasn't quite as easy as the tutorial implied. It turns out that the key to getting proper shirring is to wind the bobbin (elastic thread) fairly tightly. As a result of not having this knowledge, the first seven rows of shirring had to be ripped out, which occupied one evening in front of the TV. Replacing them didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped, so it isn't perfect, but since it was my first time, I'll consider it a learning experience. I think next time, it will go much better.

Here is the finished product:



I'm starting to like it, although I'm still focusing in on everything I don't like about it. I plan on giving it to her sometime this week, so she can be the coolest kid in preschool!