Ruffled Polka Dot Toddler Dress!

When I saw this pattern at Joann's I immediately fell in love with it. I had visions of Luna prancing about barefoot with flowers in her hair having a fairy tale childhood. Truthfully (and sadly), that's just not the type of life we live but I still made my attempt at the dress. And when it was all done she pranced about the zoo in tennis shoes just fine. Maybe not as magical I had originally planned but good enough!

I started this dress waaaaaay back in February. I did about 85% of it in a day or two -- the only thing I had left to do were the bottom ruffles. I finished the bottom last week. As you can see, there is only one ruffle. It caused me so much hatred that I refused to do the second ruffle for my own sanity.

I think I would enjoy sewing more if I had more patience. And skill. I always love having something nicely done in the end but the process, in my opinion, is more work than relaxation. I don't think my skill or experience makes it for a relaxing time.

Luna's Play Dress:

• Fabric: Stone Hill Dot Green and white leftover fabric I had.
• Time: 5 hours total (Estimated.)
• Size: Supposed to be about 2T but it fit a tad bigger.
• Fun: 6/10. I honestly think I just don't care for sewing that much. The only reason it's a 6 is because Luna looks so gosh darn cute in it. Buuuut, I did learn alot while making it!
• Techniques I Learned: I always learn as I go. In this project I learned: how to make ruffles/gathering, how to do a lined yoke, and afterwards I learned I should have used some sort of rolled/folded seam on the bottom ruffle because there is some major fraying after washing. :(
• Pattern: McCall's All-Sizes-In-One-Envelope Toddler Tops/Pants/Dress/Shorts/Capris
• Help: Google. I am not the one to ask for help. Haha.

Thanks for looking! If you (or someone you know) has made any cute super easy toddler girl dresses and have some sort of tutorial online leave a link and let me know! I'm open to trying new patterns!

- Mrs. 246

Personalized Toddler Pillow!

Remember that pillow that Luna and I just had to get yesterday? Well, here it is!

Luna's had a pillow in her crib for some time now. It was just a random throw pillow that she liked but I was thinking about it a day or two ago...she's actually been using a pillow recently and that, to me, meant it was time she had her very first pillow. We tried a couple up but ultimately decided on a really nice travel pillow. It is the perfect size for her and she loves it. (No action shots - my model was not cooperating whatsoever. Haha.)

We got the pillow at Target but they didn't sell any travel sized pillow covers. Weird, right? So I consulted my fabric stash, got to work, and got a little carried away.... (With such an easy project, a pillowcase, it's way too easy to snazz it up.)

Here's the front:

And the back...

Zig zag! Always a favorite to make things fun...

I got a little carried away on zig-zaggin her name on as well. (At the end of this post you can find instructions on how to do the lettering/applique.)

Another final look...I just love it. And I love the left over fabrics I had lying around. The paisley is from the pictured giraffe I made when Luna was a wee little thing (or maybe before she was born, I can't remember). I thought they looked darling together.

 

Thanks for looking!

- Mrs. 246

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How to do the applique letters: 

• Use a product similar to HeatNBondDraw the letters backwards on the smooth side of the HeatNBond. (To do this I just made the text to the proper size on my computer, reversed them, then traced it, right from the computer screen. You could also hand draw them as well if you're good at drawing letters backwards!) 
• Iron the HeatNBond to your letter fabric (no steam!). 
• Cut out the letters.
•  Peel off the HeatNBond backing. 
• Place letters onto your fabric where you want and iron them on. (Again, no steam!) 
• Voila! Your letters are attached. 

You can either leave the letters plain at this point or sew around the edges to ensure that they will stay. Some HeatNBond type products say you don't have to do this but I've never tested it for durability. Plus, I like the way sewing over it looks.  Keep in mind there are different types of HeatNBond. The "Lite" version I linked to is sewable. If you're going to sew over it, make sure you're using the sewable kind otherwise your sewing machine will be quite upset with you.