Stretching My Creativity....

This fabric is not what the average quilter looks for in the store...it is shiny....and slippery....and not cotton. Our younger daughter saw this fabric and fell head-over-heels in love with it.  The conversation went something like this...

"Mommy, I love this fabric!!  Will you please, please make me a dress?"

"Honey, I am not a dress maker."

"But, Mommy!!  No one else would have a dress like this and it is beautiful!!  I could wear it for graduation."

"It needs to be lined.  I have to pick the pattern.  Remember, I am not a garment maker."

She runs to yet another fabric and wraps it around herself.....

"But I love this fabric, too, and I need a dress for the dance..."

"That fabric is a little easier...Okay, I can try."

Our girls before the graduation dance--this dress was the dry run for the more complicated dress.

  That is how the request to make one dress turned into two dresses....on a short time line.....with a class project of a quilt thrown in for good measure.

 

The layout took up the whole kitchen table....and quite a while to cut out!

 Despite my lack of confidence, I launched forward.  And, knowing how I sew, I purchased twice as much fabric as they recommended.  Turned out to be the smartest move I made!  Because of the coloring, it had to be fussy cut to line up the color gradations.  Amazingly, I had two inches left to spare.

 

So, the bodice came together with a minimal amount of ripping, in spite of the pleats and darts.  The pattern did not include directions for lining the skirt and the fabric was quite sheer, so I came up with my own way to make a lining.  My method worked with the pockets, so I will count it as a success.

 Here it is, complete with sleeves and zipper, waiting to be tried on to make sure it fits and fits well.

Eighth Grade Graduation Night!

And, the girl who's on fire in the beautiful dress she designed! 

I am grateful to my sweet daughter for challenging me to try something outside my comfort zone, but would prefer she picks projects without extremely short timelines!  Have to say making this dress made our Little Princess feel very loved and allowed me to feel a certain amount of confidence that I haven't felt in a while.

Memorial Quilt Done!

Amazingly, the quilt top came together very quickly and was soon on the frame!  I did some measuring and adjusting to make sure that the extra blocks were sort of centered on the back of the quilt but allowing enough room for the pocket destined to contain the book.

 Here's a close-up of how much backing was left after it was quilted--talk about too close for comfort!!

I don't think I will do a pieced back again for a while--my heart can't take these close calls.

Next post I will give the step-by-step instructions on how to make the book cover.  It turned out pretty well (surprisingly enough!!) and was very easy. 

The label was sewn on the front....

And here is the pocket sewn on the quilt to hold the book....

Here are some pictures of the girl and her quilt.....

Here's the front...

Here's the back!

Pretty proud of our girl!!  The quilt is now proudly hanging in school, ready to be admired by many!