Simplicity 8564, Dress and Catfish Purse

You know how it goes, right?

A quick trip to Hobby Lobby for "just a couple of things" turns into buying patterns and fabric for more projects??

I was skimming through patterns, since they were $0.99 and looking for a swim suit pattern for mini and came across Simplicity 8564 - love at first sight for Mini.

 And then when we found the unicorns and rainbows fabric - it was all over.

And now, the little stinker won't model the dress for me.  Although its not like its warm enough to wear it!  More snow and ice here today!

The dress is really just a big tent, with bias straps and a ribbon in the back. 

There is, of course the flutter sleeve option.  If I make this again, I will choose something more drapey - and probably skip the back tie.

The real winner from this pattern in Mini's view, is the catfish purse.

She was totally willing to model that, as long as I didn't "fix" her hair. 

The pattern calls for felt/fleece for the eyes/nose.  I just went ahead and embroidered them on, along with the mouth and whiskers.  Found the perfect "scale" fabric in my stash from *this quilt for my niece*

Not sure what's going on here.... a wink, maybe?  The purse is pretty big. 

 I braided a few lenghts of multicolored yarn to make the strap.  Had to knot it at the top so it didn't drag on the ground.

 The catfish took way more time than the dress.  And if you decide to make it, you should know that the opening is just the head.  The body is closed.

Renaissance Faire 2016: Princess Dress

This dress took forever.  At least two weeks.  One of the most complicated things I've probably done.  I should go back and fix a couple things.
Good thing she loves it.

 This was actually the first project I started for this year's Renaissance Faire.  It was a good thing I didn't save it for last, or it would never have gotten done.  It took me 2-3 hours to get all the pieces cut and marked.  Another night to sew darts, oh the darts.  16 darts in total.

 It is straight up view B with no alterations.  Because, guess what?  You can't alter it.  There are no "lengthen or shorten here" places due to the way the skirt and bodice are formed and go together.

 And given the construction of the tulip skirt, it definitely required leggings to go with it.  (and MY boots)

 I should say, that despite all the pieces and all the steps it did go together like it was supposed to.  I've never sewn anything quite like it before, though.  The cross straps are sewn into the neckline, but then hand stitched on the outside.  (another evening of sewing)  That is actually the one thing I should probably go back and fix.  I should probably sew those straps down while its on the dress form so the curves sit correctly.  To me the bust area isn't as smooth as it should be.

The skirt does sit smoothly, but it was a bit windy and E had already been sitting in the car for 20 minutes before we took pictures.  Oh, and she had worn it for most of a day once I finished it.

Just a couple more things, in case you are curious about this pattern and visiting from the interwebs.
The instructions have you do lots of under stitching (I don't get under stitching, I mean, I know why I'm supposed to do it, but it never seems to work well for me.  Give me top stitching any day).  And I did it, because top stitching clearly was not going to work on this dress, but because the neckline was so thick with all the layers of fabric, lace and interfacing, the lining still kept coming forward, so this was my hack: I did a large running stitch, from the lining side, through all but the top layer, all the way around the neck opening, and now the lining doesn't roll to the front.  I don't care if its not pretty, or doesn't match.  It worked.

 And also, the back detail.  The bands do not actually go all the way around.  They meet up at the side seam.  The pattern has to do this because of the side invisible zipper.

 E and Mini.

Renaissance Faire 2016: A Small Princess

 Mini got a new dress for Renfaire.  More on the princess side than peasant side.  The mint was all extra from E's dress, and I found the coordinating lace in the red tag aisle at Joann.

 This was a pretty quick sew, especially since I've made two versions of this dress before.

 Hanging next to E's dress, waiting for Saturday.

 Mini wasn't terribly thrilled about having her picture taken.

 Playing chase with the cheetah barbarian.

 Mini meeting Tiny from Barely Balanced.  I think she was so happy to see a small person on stage.

 More costumes to come.