Sunday, September 16, 2018

I want to apologize.
I have been absent from the bloggersphere for quite some time.  My family requires my attention and as much as I would like to continue posting on my blog on a regular basis it isn’t possible at this time.  
I recently received a comment on my blog that was negative about the Good Deeds Dress that was designed by my good friend Carisa from Elysium Patterns on crafsty.com that she designed over six years ago.
Link: Elysium Patterns

First and foremost I will not allow any negative posts that do not have any merit. Opinions without trying the pattern by sewing it will not be published.  If there is a true issue with fitting then I am happy to address it.

The fabric used in the examples on my blog is not something I would send to an area where there is not anything available other than hand washing.  Usually the recommended fabric when sewing dresses for this type of charity is cotton or cotton blend material however a cotton and polyester blend is also an option. This information comes from http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/ that donates dresses. They also ask to avoid buttons and zippers because they are not easy to repair. 

The Good Deeds Dress is designed to be loose and when a child holds her hands straight up the dress should slip on easily.  We added some ideas to the pattern like a sash in the back to make up for the looseness if needed.   

The size for this dress goes all the way up to size 12. That is American sizing and not the age 12. If puberty has started and the dress is too tight then we suggest that you try another design that would be more accommodating for the chest.

Link to photos on Craftsy of the Good Deeds Dress

All we wanted to do was to provide a free pattern for charity or for the individual who sews and would like to make a cute dress for their child, grandchild or friend. 


Thank you.

Rebecca and Carisa

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Tutorial: How To Make A Lined Bodice



**UPDATE**  This pattern is available only on Craftsy.  I believe you have to make an account to view it but you can avoid any spam by unchecking receive more notices message.
Good Deeds Dress by Elysium

This is the first of several tutorials on how to embellish a simple dress pattern.  In these tutorials, I will be using the Good Deeds Dress by Elysium.  The Good Deeds Dress was designed specifically for charity sewing and made to be quick and easy to sew.  One of the nice things about this pattern is it is easy to embellish and create new looks with just a few extra steps.  This tutorial will show you how to line the bodice instead of using bias tape.  In other words, you will will be using two layers of fabric and then turning and topstitching with no exposed seams.  There are a few different ways to make a lined bodice. This is a simplified version that should not take very long and fairly easy to complete.

The first step is to print and cut out your pattern in the size you intend to sew. Lay your pattern down on the fabric you will be using for the outside of the bodice.  With a marking pen or pencil, add seam allowance.  In my example I am using 1/4 an inch. You do not need to add seam allowance to the sides of the bodice.

Mark your seam allowance around the pattern pieces.
Draw the added seam allowance around the pattern pieces.

Once you have drawn your seam allowance, cut your pattern pieces along the new line. Take your cut pieces from the outer fabric and lay them on the inside fabric and trace and cut around them.

* In the picture below, the fabric already had a seam sewn in it on the right side.  I was repurposing it from another project that did not go so well.  I moved the bodice over to avoid the seam.  At this point however, you are tracing the bodice that you added the seam allowance to, so you do not need to add any more when cutting your second set of bodice pieces.

Use the newly cut outside pieces to trace and cut the inside fabric.

Once you have the outside and inside pieces cut, sew the shoulder seams together for each set per the original instructions.  Press the seams.  You should have two sets of the bodice (3 pieces each) sewn together at the shoulder seams.  Place the outside and inside pieces with right sides together and pin along the neckline and curve of the arm openings. Pin as much as needed to account for the curves, also know as "easing" the fabrics together.  Sew where you have pinned making sure to sew with the added seam allowance. 

TIP: to line up the shoulder seams, pin right on the seams of the outer and inner pieces to line them up and keep together while sewing.

This is also the time to add your sewing label or size tag.  If you are using a flat, sew on label, the inside fabric along the back of the neckline is a common place to add a tag.  Most people choose to use a tight zig-zag stitch to keep the edges from being scratchy.  In this example, I added a foldover satin label placed between the two layers along the neckline.  If using a foldover label, make sure the printed side is facing the outside fabric piece.

Sew the inner and outer pieces, right sides together along the neckline and arm openings.  Make sure you use the same amount of seam allowance that you added to the pattern.

After sewing the inside and outside pieces at the neckline and arm openings, clip the curves carefully to avoid nicking the seam.  Pinking shears are great for this purpose.  Press the seams flat with an iron.

Clip along the curves of the seams careful not to cut the thread.

Turn the bodice right side out and again press with an iron.  Then topstitch along the neckline and arm openings.

Once the bodice is turned right side out, press with an iron and topstitch.

The lined bodice is now complete.  Line your sides up and stitch together.  Proceed with adding the skirt per the original pattern instructions.

Topstitch then sew the side pieces, right sides together.

Completed dress with a lined bodice.


Thank you for reading. I hope this tutorial was helpful.   There will be more tutorials on embellishing a dress pattern in the near future so stay tuned!  In the meantime, check out Elysium on Etsy for more great patterns.




Saturday, May 26, 2012

And The Winners Are....


Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway and participated in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day event.  I had a lot of fun reading new blogs and the comments on my giveaway post. 

The winner for prize package #1 is: ♥Duff (comment made on May 23, 2012 7:52 PM)

The winner for prize package #2 is Beth (comment made on May 23, 2012 8:10 AM)

The winners have been sent an email and have 48 hours to claim their prize.  Thank you again to everyone who participated.  Check in from time to time for new tutorials and new giveaways. (hint, hint)


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