dummy?
I’d like to think I am NOT a dummy, but I did use Simplicity’s “Dummies” 4206 pattern and will happily give myself the title. I love these shirts for my 8 year old- and of course my other daughter will get a few added to her Spring/Summer wardrobe.
A few things I learned while sewing this project:
- directions printed on the pattern, sometimes can not be trusted. In the pattern, it tells you to hem the sleeve before attaching it to the rest of the shirt. When I followed this, the top of the neckline was all screwy and didn’t match up- a pain when I needed to create an even casing for elastic.
-allowing yourself to work without reading every instruction and trusting your own “common sense” can help solve above problem. I started attaching the sleeve to the shirt without hemming the sleeve and noticed everything matched up. So- hemming AFTER is actually what to do…if you use this pattern, be forewarned.
-when you get in the zone of sewing, all things can enter your mind! While I was sewing, a dream from the night before entered my head and I started laughing out loud, all by myself…I shocked my husband the night before by grabbing his arm with both my hands and sort of shook him. I concluded while sewing, that it must be my subconscious wrestling with my overactive puppy. All day, in reality, I have to let my Beagle/Blue Heeler puppy know who is boss and take him to the ground by grabbing the back of his neck. HA!
-sewing things for your kids is really rewarding. My daughter is totally proud to go to school and tell her friends I made her shirt or dress. It’s really nice. I know it may not be forever, but I sure am enjoying now!
March 6th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Carol, they are so cute! I am feeling inspired to sew my kids some clothes. I also love how excited they get when I make something for them… very rewarding!
March 6th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I love that pattern and have made some similar as well, I wonder if it’s the same pattern (I’ve never looked at the pattern # just the picture on front when purchasing it). I just made a few tops for the girls to add to their summer wardrobe as well. I have them up on my blog, check them out http://wishesdreamslove.blogspot.com/
March 6th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I just loved sewing for the girls! I had fun making matching things sometimes, especially for Easter! I also remember my mom cranking out beautiful matching Easter dresses for us, working right up to the night before! That’s what I did too, and it was almost part of the fun ritual of Easter to work like crazy the week before. Fun! Now I enjoy making doll clothes for Madeline and Abigail’s American Girl dolls when I can. One of the nicest things about the AG dolls is that there are wonderful patterns for clothes for them! Another nice thing is the great stories that go with each doll. They are very well written! Thanks for showing us the cute tops!
March 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
so cute. i am a bit of a sewing dummy. (novice sounds better) and will be looking for this pattern. i get such a thrill each time em or k shows off something i have made for them. feels like passing on some extra love… xo
March 6th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
OH you have inspired me to get that sewing machine out and the simplicity pattern for an a like toddler dress!!!!
WOOHOOO
March 7th, 2007 at 11:27 am
I’d wear those: I’m much older than 8. They’re great.
March 7th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Both shirts are really cute, but I love the nice bright fabric on the left. Yes very rewarding making things for your kids, even better that they will proudly wear them. I must confess, I haven’t attempted anything from a pattern yet, I am so bad about following patterns.
March 8th, 2007 at 9:15 am
Those are too cute andI love that pattern as well, but have you found that the shirt comes out rather short? The wide leg capri pants in that pattern are super cute and my 4 year old practically lives in them! They are so fun to personalize.
April 24th, 2007 at 11:18 am
[…] I also have been making a lot of these shirts from the Simplicity Dummy pattern for my girls. I really like it and have a few more ready to be sewn. Plus who can resist making a girl with green sandals some cute shirts? I know I can’t. (She also has the same pair in yellow- I imagine my machine will be humming a lot more!) […]