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April 22, 2021
Hi sewing friends! I’m Bonnie back from Sew Love You. If you follow me at all, you know I have a lot of kids, six to be exact! We’re a big family and I love sewing for everyone. Almost 12 years ago I had my first baby girl. I was still new to sewing and was scouring blogs and library books to find all the information I could find about sewing. I remember reading all of these sewing terms and getting confused (grain, bodice, seam allowance)...what did it all mean?!? I decided to try my hand at making my little girl’s blessing dress (aka christening dress). All of my family thought I was nuts! I muslined, went slow and I did it! I made the dress! It wasn’t perfect. In fact, I looked at the dress last year and realized how terrible it was, haha! But I did it!!!
Fast forward a few years and my little girl was really into dress-ups. Rapunzel was all the rage and my little girl was obsessed. She loved dress-ups, especially the princess kind. I hadn’t sewn with knits (who really did at that time?) and most of her dresses were from patterns from the Big 4. I didn’t know how to adjust patterns or hack anything. Some fit great, some didn’t. Some fabric pilled and some still looks good today. I thought I would have plenty of time to make her everything her little heart desired.
You know what happened next. I blinked and that fun phase of dress-ups, ended so quickly! I didn’t worry too much about it. I knew I’d have another girl. The only problem was, I didn’t! Isn’t life that way? I ended up having three more boys. My sewing improved and I still made lots of dress-ups: pirates, cowboys, ninjas, super heroes, and more. It was a blast! I love my boys! It pushed me out of my comfort zone and I learned how to sew cool “boy” stuff too.
But I regretted not enjoying that time of the little princess dress ups.
Do you ever do that too? Regret not sewing something because you’re too scared? Worried you’ll ruin the fabric? You’ll mess up? Have to start again? Waste your precious time? Chirp, chirp...anyone?!?
Over the years I’ve tried to get over it. It’s hard you know, to let go. I don’t consider myself a perfectionist by any means, but I do love to give it my best. That fear is real and can sometimes be debilitating to that point that nothing gets sewn. Plus, who wants to ruin something from their precious fabric stash?
Fast forward to last year when we found out we were having a baby girl. I.was.shocked! I thought for sure we would have a troop of little boys at the end. I knew now was my time to make all of the things I had wanted to make for over 10 years that my boys were never interested in. My little girl will turn one in a few months. I’m pretty sure I’ll be making all of the dress-ups she wants, including the princess ones ;)
I wanted to make her something for her first birthday that she could wear everyday. I was inspired by a popular brand of everyday little girl’s princess dresses. Something frilly and fun. Maybe one day we’ll make it back to Disneyland and she can wear this all day while riding the rides.
I used the Ellie Dress pattern from Lowland Kids. My Raspberry Creek line up included: Solid Light Blue Jersey, and Baby Blue Nylon Polka Dot Stretch Mesh. I lengthened the bodice slightly and adjusted the sleeves using Hey June’s tutorial for puff sleeves, just a bit to add a little poof! Puff sleeves are back again and little ones are too cute in them.
The Nylon Mesh is much easier to work with than you’d think! I love how soft it is for my little one vs that rough tulle you can find in big box fabric stores. And Raspberry Creek’s jersey never disappoints! Great recover, stretch, price and I appreciate that it coordinates with all the fun Club prints too.
Unlike me, you might not get your second chance. DO IT FRIENDS! SEW THE THINGS! Leave no sewing regrets, whatever yours might be. Get out of your comfort zone and try it. You’ll probably be terrified, but it’s going to be fine. We’re here to cheer you on! Everyone needs cheerleaders.
I’ve learned the sewing community has a big heart. I’ve personally found much more friendship than competition. Have questions about fabric? Ask in the Raspberry Creek Facebook group. Have questions about a certain technique? Ask. Need a pattern suggestion? Ask. We’re all in this together. Don’t feel dumb. We’ve all been there. Lean in and waste no time. You’ve got this! Now I’m off to plan a one year old’s birthday party and weep a little in the corner that my last baby will be one soon, haha.
Feel free to follow along on my sewing journey over on Instagram at Sew Love You. Until next time!
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