The Norah Dress ( x3) Tour - MouseHouseCreations

Hi Everyone! A big thanks to Hayley for asking me to be a part of this, I have loved her blog for a long time and am super excited for her new pattern line

I had a lot of fun with this pattern. I mean  A LOT, as in I made 3 of them for my girls! It is such a versatile pattern.
First up, I made the Norah Dress as is, no changes....and it is great!

I used a mid-weight plaid cotton that has a good amount of stretch in it (actually this mystery fabric was a gift my mom brought back from Germany for me, so I am not really sure what it is, but it is fab!) The dress fits great, with lots of 'twirlability' (is that a word?...it is now)

I  Love the Swing to this dress! I used a contrasting yellow binding for the collar and added some yellow stripes and binding detail to the hem.

The perfect dress for our chilly Canadian winters

Next up, I made a tunic version for my youngest. She does not do well with dresses, so it is leggings and tunics 99% of the time.  I opted for no collar and dressed up the shoulders with leather panels

I used a heavy sweatshirt fleece (which may have been a little too thick for such a small size), but it is really snuggly warm for her

I paired it with a pair of black velour/sparkle damask leggings (I do not know where I got this fabric, but found it in my stash....and now I wish I had more...It is glorious!)
 

I found some scrap leather that matched perfectly (what are the odds?!) , so I added some shoulder details that wrap to the back

It closes at the back with a small leather buckle, rather then a button....I think it looks really cute!
***my first time working with leather btw.... not too shabby

And finally, my showstopper, A golden Norah. One of my oldest's Christmas dresses. Yes, I said ONE of....we have 3 big family parties, which she requires 3 dresses, such a diva, can't wear the same outfit twice :) 

This one is my Fav! It started with a great vintage lace trim that I found online, and a champagne linen.

I had to slim the bodice slightly (not because of fit issues, but because I was about 8" too short with my trim)

I used a gold piping on the collar. I shortened the sleeves (to a longer short sleeve), and added some piping and trim detailing to the cuffs.

Then to up the sparkle (you can't have enough sparkle with a 5 year old...right?) I sewed on a ton of little gold beads....yes I sewed them all on by HAND! and I absolutely hate hand sewing....oh the things we do for our kids!

I really do love this pattern! I think there is so much you can do with it!

Can't wait to see what everyone else has come up with, Happy Holidays

~Christine

Kids Clothing Week - wrap up

 

This is my first time even attempting at participating in Kids clothing week. Usually I am way too busy, but most times I just completly miss it. I still was late to the game -prewashing fabric and printing patterns the first day (while most sesoned KCW-ers have this done earlier so the actual week is spent SEWING!) I guess I will have to remember that for next time ;)

I did manage to make an outfit for both my girls, even though more were planned.  (I actually made a few other things for new patterns that I can't share just yet- more to come on that)

I kept it simple. Serger friendly projects that they could get lots of wear out of , and that they needed.

I used the fab Bimaa pattern from LouBeeClothing.

I adjusted it slightly to make tunics, perfect for covering little bottoms and to wear with leggings. For the red bimaa, I used a med weight sweatshirt fabric that had lots of stretch but was really warm.

I lengthened the bodice by about 8" and extended the side out so the bottom hem was about 9". This gave the bottom of the tunic a little more room for moving/sitting/jumping and created a cute bubble effect that I love!. 

I also adjusted the hood, buy extending the front neckline out by 2". I sewed the hood, keeping the fronts seperate so they could overlap. I added the button hole and pinned the fronts together and then sewed the hood in the neckline.

 

Everthing else I kept the same and constructed as the pattern explained (really well done by the way!)

I love the end result and it is the perfect tunic for school and the colder weather.  It looks great paired with a super fun pair of Alice in wonderland leggings (self drafted pattern)

 

For the black bimma, I used a lighter black jersey and only lengthened it about 4", I kept the hood the same as in the pattern. I lined the hood and made leggings with a fun aztec print. Easy peasy....and comfy!

 

 two outfits done, many more to go for the winter wardrobes...what did you make for kcw?

Pattern Remix - Saffron Twirl Dress by Zafarani

 First thing first.....I love this dress! :)

I was lucky enough to recieve a copy of the debut pattern from Zafarani, The Saffron Twirl Dress.

Karly has tested for me many times, and always comes up with the most amazing versions of my designs for her little cuties. I am happy to finally do the same for her :) I did change a few things...some intentional and some not (because I apparently cannot read directions well!)

Her first pattern is the Saffron Twirl Dress.....so stinkin cute!!! Very well written and great pictures. It is a super feminine dress that is not too "sweet", totally my style. The original features a v-neck bodice, open back with button placket, full skirt and waist sash.

Here is my version

 

I used a very light weight steel grey cotton and lined the bodice with a fun vintage sheet. I used a golden yellow cotton for all the binding.

On to the details and some of the changes I made

The first thing I did was alter the bodice. I made a wrap front instead of the solid v-neck.
I extended the neckline angle all the way down to the bottom waist,  and cut mirror images of the front rather then on the fold. 

 I ended up with two front panels and bound the long edges with cotton binding

 I marked both front panels along the binding where the original v-neck was supposed to be so I knew where to overlap them.

Once I overlapped them I followed as directed...although because of the binding I did not have two separate bodice pieces (outer and lining) so my inside of the dress where the skirt is attached did not end up looking as nice as Karly's does if you follow the directions :)

I used cotton bias binding around the waist ties and just rounded the ends to make it easier.

I added two button plackets and just topstitched them to the inside of the binding (the top one getting added once I realized I did not read correctly and put the placket in the wrong place!..I like how it came out anyway...happy mistakes)

Since my material was so sheer I ended up making a double skirt, I just cut two skirts of the same size and sewed them together along the top and worked with it like it was one.
I trimmed the outer skirt about a 1/2 shorter to showcase the layers...also then I could use two trims. I  bound the shorter one in some more yellow cotton and used a full cotton lace trim on the inner skirt.

 Finally I tacked the front panels together to help keep the shoulders from falling down.

I love how the dress turned out, and more importantly so does my little girl :)

Checking her hair.....

good....now she can twirl

Now go get yourself a copy of the Saffron Twirl dress  and make something your little one will LOVE!

**Thanks to Karly from Zafarani for giving me a chance to try out your super pattern, can't wait to see the next one