More of "Lydia"

Here is yet another "Lydia".... I cannot tell you how much I love this design. I think it has to be one of my absolute favorites of all time. I had posted a photos the other day of some other samples and it was brought to my attention that perhaps I could slightly modify the design and raise up the bodice to make it just ever so slightly more modest and after looking at it with a critical eye, I had to agree. So, a simple adjustment by shortening the straps just a smidge and it was fixed. Now, it looks much better and Abby isn't flashing as much skin...although, I have to admit, as a doting mom sometimes all I can see is my precious little girl. So, Thank you to those of you who brought it to my attention. Goodness knows we need to keep our little girls innocent as long as we can. I will adjust the other dresses and repost those photos when I can because those dresses are far too gorgeous to not be shared.

Dawn

Just A Little Peek At Something I've Been Working On....

Front View

Back View

Bottom of the Dress

After sooooo many requests, I have been super busy this week writing, editing, drafting, and sewing sample after sample of my all time favorite dress that I have ever designed.....drum roll please...Yes, "Lydia" is on the way! This is the one I made today and as you can see it's not even finished, but I am so happy with the way this one is turning out I couldn't wait to show you. All totaled this week I have made  6 "Lydia's" and each one is different from the last. Each one has it's own crinoline built in and I have to say if I don't make another one of those for a while it will be okay with me. Tulle is great but..... I am so excited about adding this dress to my collection. I have a feeling it's going to be a big hit. So if you have any special occasions coming up this summer boy, oh boy do I have the dress for your little one!!!

Dawn

Bringing Back An Old Favorite

Today when we were out taking pictures Abby actually asked if she could wear her favorite dress and take pictures in that. I, of course was thrilled and anxious to see which of her gazillion dresses she thought of as her favorites. We went up into her closet to sift through the jungle of clothes and I kept pulling out ones I thought might be her favorite. Finally she found the one she had in mind, and much to my surprise it was my all time favorite too. It's one I made for her last year and I absolutely adore it. Her face just lit up when she saw it and she said "I think my silver slippers and pearls would go well with this mommy!" I replied with " Exactly what I would have picked." She is really becoming quite good at knowing what goes well with what which is pretty impressive for a 5 year old in my opinion. Sadly, the dress is getting rather snug on her and a bit shorter than it was last year, but we managed to stuff her into it for one last time. Which I was thrilled about as I was not very happy with the photos I had taken of her in it last year when I made it.

There is a fun story that goes with this dress. I was inspired by a dress I saw at one of my favorite on-line boutiques. When I saw the dress it was love at first sight...that is, until I saw the price...ouch. If I remember correctly it was in the $350.00-$400.00 range. Of course I looked at the dress and thought I wonder if I could pull off a similar dress and I wonder if I could do it for next to nothing. I love these little challenges I impose on myself, it keeps sewing fun and interesting. I found the perfect fabric on the sale table, a stunning icy steel blue linen. Used vintage lace and some white fabric and tulle (for the petticoat) that I already had. I dug through my buttons to find to silver ones, vintage of course and bought matching blue thread. I think my total cost for this dress was about $11.00! Quite a difference from the original, and mine is darn close to the original too!