Not Just For Children!

07 Jun Not Just For Children!

A two-week beach vacation happens rarely, but I enjoyed every day and my sewing machine barely made an appearance. I missed you, Dear Readers!

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The season of love is upon us and my first post vacation garment is a Rehearsal Dinner dress for a wedding this weekend in Atlanta.

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Visiting fabric stores is so rare for me these days, that when I do have the pleasure to touch and feel the real thing, I am like a child in a candy store. In March, I visited the Children’s Corner Store in Nashville for all of 25 minutes. I was caught off guard by the store’s fabric quantity not to mention quality of fabrics – I wanted it all!

I was expecting to shop for Birdie which I did, but to my surprise the store offers many choices for adult clothing – definitely worth a visit!

Before making this dress I completed a romper for Birdie, and my goal was to take photos of us together in our new Children’s Corner fabrics at the beach, but you know the saying about best laid plans……

I monogrammed Birdie’s romper on the PFAFF Creative Icon with Coats & Clark Trilobal Embroidery Thread in Blue Aqua.

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My dress pattern is Simplicity D0882. I just recently bought the pattern but I don’t see it on the Simplicity website.

*** CLARIFICATION: a reader just told me the pattern number is Simplicity 8594. She said this is the display number.
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I made View D and am I glad I made a muslin! I’m afraid muslin photos would shatter your screen 😉, but I made it work after tweaking the pattern.
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The fabric is a lovely baby blue brocade with no stretch whatsoever, and being a straight dress made the fit extremely important. Wouldn’t you know one of the best photos of the dress would be would be a test photo taken in the kitchen, dog bowls and all…….


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Tweaks include adjusting the princess seams, shortening the bodice and straps, and grading out at the waist and hips. Nothing unusual but there were many.

It’s cute, it fits and my only complaint is it is nearly impossible to zip! A zipper handmaiden is a must 😜

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The upper and lower bodice matched up nicely, but looked unfinished in this fabric.

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Using my handy Dritz loop turner, I made a 3/4″ strip which I placed over the waistline seam.

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It’s a simple embellishment, but did the trick.

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I lined the top of the dress with the fashion fabric to provide more durability (and yes, it eventually got a good pressing).

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Although the photos of Birdie and I together in our Children’s Corner clothes will have to wait, the mission of  the two garments is successfully completed.  Another time I hope!

Birdie and me

Have a good one!

 

 

goodbyevalentino
goodbyevalentino@gmail.com
68 Comments
  • Carmen Salome
    Posted at 08:33h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 08:37h, 07 June Reply

      Thank you, Carmen!

  • Rita
    Posted at 08:50h, 07 June Reply

    Great makes, I have been anxious to see what you would do with the fabric. You’ll just have to come back to Nashville and we can fabric shop at a more leisurely pace. I love Children’s Corner and all our ASG members love the quality of their fabric not only for children but for ourselves,

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 21:22h, 07 June Reply

      Is that an invitation? 😂😂
      Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful store, Rita, and many thanks for the comment!

      • Rita
        Posted at 23:17h, 07 June Reply

        Absolutely an invitation! You are always welcome here.

  • Jackie Shepherd
    Posted at 09:01h, 07 June Reply

    You are both wearing beautiful garments! !

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 21:22h, 07 June Reply

      Thank you, Jackie!

  • Catherine P
    Posted at 09:03h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful dress and what a cute romper!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 21:31h, 07 June Reply

      Many thanks, Catherine!

  • Sharon R Killian
    Posted at 09:07h, 07 June Reply

    Sarah, you & Birdie look so lovely in your garments. Nice work, and thanks for sharing!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 21:32h, 07 June Reply

      My pleasure, Sharon 😉 Many thanks for your comment!

  • MaryEllen
    Posted at 09:14h, 07 June Reply

    So nice to see Birdie – she’s getting so grown up ! Love both your dresses ! All your fitting tips are so helpful .

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 21:33h, 07 June Reply

      Isn’t she getting big? I think you’re in the midst of a fab vacation…….. Many thanks for your comment, MaryEllen 😉

  • Barbara Barrett
    Posted at 09:16h, 07 June Reply

    This is just lovely! I always learn several things from your post. Thank you for taking the time to show us the process. It is more helpful than you know. I especially love the background of all the photos, even the kitchen. Welcome back from vacation.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:35h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you, Barbara -It is also helpful to me to document my projects! ….. About those photos – I follow the good lighting but who knew the kitchen would be the place 😂

  • Molly Hayden
    Posted at 09:16h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful outfits on both of you. I really liked your idea of the waist treatment, a good way to finish off an awkward area. Thank you for the tip. m

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:38h, 08 June Reply

      Many thanks, Molly! I tried a few options on the waist. Because of the neckline I realized I needed to keep it simple, and fortunately, I’m pleased with the result. 😊

  • Mary Anne
    Posted at 09:26h, 07 June Reply

    Both outfits and fabrics are beautiful. I am glad you succeeded with your alterations because it is a lovely style on you.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:39h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you, Mary Anne! I was surprised at how many alterations were needed but at least I was expecting many of them. 😉

  • Julie Anne
    Posted at 09:32h, 07 June Reply

    Both outfits are lovely and your writing is truly delightful. I so enjoy reading about your creations.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:41h, 08 June Reply

      Ahhh….. thank you, Julie Anne! Sometimes, I like writing about the experience as much as the sewing 😊

  • Jeff Laskowski
    Posted at 09:37h, 07 June Reply

    Very nice. Nice design and print. Looks very comfortable for summer.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:44h, 08 June Reply

      Many thanks, Jeff!

  • Liz Lancaster
    Posted at 10:06h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful, as usual.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:44h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you, Liz 😉

  • Alania Sheeley
    Posted at 10:10h, 07 June Reply

    Love what you made from your Children’s Corner finds. It is a great fabric store.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:47h, 08 June Reply

      Hi Alania ! Visiting the Children’s Corner store was such a nice surprise 😊 So sorry they don’t sell their fabrics online.

  • Toni Morse
    Posted at 10:18h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:48h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you, Toni!

  • Rosalind Clayton
    Posted at 10:20h, 07 June Reply

    Looks fantastic on you Sarah, the colour is perfect! It fits spot on as well, a REAL winner!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:50h, 08 June Reply

      Many thanks, Rosalind! I too just love this color and I rarely see it. Wouldn’t you know I’d find it at a children’s store. 😊😂

  • Bronwyn David
    Posted at 10:31h, 07 June Reply

    Your dress is stunning. Who’s going to be looking at the bride with you in the room? And the romper is too cute for words.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:52h, 08 June Reply

      Once you see this bride you’ll forget all about this dress….. and me 😂 !

  • Jacqueline Harris
    Posted at 11:04h, 07 June Reply

    Hello Sarah,

    I love everything about this dress and the look on you. My favourite part is the detail you added at the waistline: the 3/4″ strip placed over that seam. I love tiny details like that, and they bring a touch of originality to a garment.

    🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:53h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you so much, Jacqueline! That little strip of fabric pulled the entire project together 😊

  • Beth (SunnyGal Studio)
    Posted at 11:13h, 07 June Reply

    great color on you, such a cute dress. And yes I can imagine that it needed lots of fitting adjustment, that type of pattern will never fit most people right out of the envelope 🙂

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 06:55h, 08 June Reply

      Thank you, Beth – I see you in this dress, and you of all people could tweak the pattern to perfection. 😉

  • Claire
    Posted at 11:29h, 07 June Reply

    Beautiful dress for a summer rehearsal dinner, Sarah. I love that timeless 60s style with the straps. I’m traveling to Nashville in a few weeks for the first time and plan to go to the Children’s Corner store! Equally excited for the music and the fabric shopping opportunity…😀

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:41h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you so much, Claire! Have a great trip – music… fabric… and don’t forget the food 😊 PS – Textile Fabrics is a great store too.

  • Sandy B
    Posted at 11:36h, 07 June Reply

    Love the color and cut of this dress! BTW, the pattern number is SImplicity 8594. The copy you have is a display copy so it has a different pattern number.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 11:42h, 07 June Reply

      ??? Why would my pattern say D0882.?I bought it at JoAnn’s from the filing cabinet!

      Thank you for the clarification, Sandy!

  • Debby
    Posted at 11:36h, 07 June Reply

    You look stunning and the color is perfect, So is the fit. Well executed as always.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:41h, 10 June Reply

      Many thanks, Debby 😊

  • kathleen wallen
    Posted at 11:39h, 07 June Reply

    Really lovely dresses for both of you and the colour really suits you.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:42h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you, Kathleen! I love this color too and for some reason it is hard to find 😉

  • Margaret edger
    Posted at 11:48h, 07 June Reply

    You both look beautiful. Birdie is just adorable.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:43h, 10 June Reply

      Hi Maggie! So good to hear from you and thank you for your comment. Birdie gets cuter each time I see her 😊

  • Rhoda K
    Posted at 11:49h, 07 June Reply

    I have to agree with your waistline detail – a great tip! Your dress is beautiful and love Birdie’s romper.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:44h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you, Rhoda! I thought about a belt but needed something that did not compete with the shoulder straps and neckline. I’m pleased with how i😉

  • BRENDA ZEDELLA
    Posted at 11:54h, 07 June Reply

    I love it, it’s beautiful!!! Of course the “wearer” helps the cause 😉 This must be a new Simplicity pattern with that kind of number. I’ll have to look for it next time I go to the fabric store. It does look like it would require a lot of “tweaking” to get the fit right… Would hate to skip a muslin and ruin a nice fabric!!! Anyway, super gorgeous!!! P.S. I’m thinking I’ll go with a linen…

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:47h, 10 June Reply

      Many thanks for your comment, Brenda! This pattern needs a muslin on most anyone….. and linen would be so pretty!

  • Judy
    Posted at 12:12h, 07 June Reply

    Your dress turned out beautiful and the romper is so cute.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:48h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you, Judy 😉!

  • Janine Maffett
    Posted at 13:51h, 07 June Reply

    The fabric and dress design go together perfectly. I especially like the weight and design of the fabric as the combination takes this from just a summer dress to something very special for an occasion. The blue is so crisp. Hope it keeps you cool in Atlanta this weekend.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:50h, 10 June Reply

      Janine, I’m pleased with this fabric/pattern combo too, and believe it requires a heavier fabric for the straight fit. Cool in Atlanta?????? Actually it was very pleasant. 😉

  • Bonnie Wheaton
    Posted at 15:16h, 07 June Reply

    The dress is so pretty and the romper is adorable. Birdie is growing so fast. How did you attach the strip to the waist seam? I can’t tell from the picture.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:53h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you, Bonnie!
      I should have explained the process in my post. The ends are stitched on to the dress and the remainder is secured with a heat bonding product.

  • Marianne Johansson
    Posted at 15:28h, 07 June Reply

    So cute dress !!! Oaow !!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:54h, 10 June Reply

      Many thanks, Marianne!

  • Vanessa
    Posted at 15:59h, 07 June Reply

    Lol at the zipper handmaiden! I love the dress on you, and the crossing detail looks so pretty!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:55h, 10 June Reply

      😂😂 – That’s a Julie Starr term that I had to borrow! Many thanks for the comment, Vanessa!

  • Gail Cunningham
    Posted at 06:56h, 08 June Reply

    What a beautiful toddler…(beautiful garments, too!).

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:57h, 10 June Reply

      Thank you so much, Gail 😊

  • Becky Thompson
    Posted at 08:32h, 08 June Reply

    Both turned out so pretty! And my, oh my, she is growing up fast!

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:58h, 10 June Reply

      Hi Becky! Thank you, and I agree about how fast Birdie is growing up!

  • Ginger Lane
    Posted at 17:14h, 08 June Reply

    Your fit is perfect! Always helpful hearing the tweaks you make to achieve your perfect garments; hope to hear more of those details in the future. Glad you had some vacation time with your lovely Granddaughter.

    • goodbyevalentino
      Posted at 18:59h, 10 June Reply

      Many thanks, Ginger! Nearly every garment I make gets tweaked in some form – Happy to Share!

  • Alex Hill
    Posted at 19:33h, 21 June Reply

    Lovely and adorable. I’ll leave you to decide which adjective goes with which model! 😉 I have a question for you. I am looking at embroidery software, specifically for making monograms. Did you use the software that was specifically for you Pfaff, or did you use another embroidery software program?

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