Milkmaid/Dream Top Pattern from Lydia Naomi

Pretending I’m writing poetry in a field…or milking a cow since this is a “milkmaid” top…but let’s go with the first scenario.

This is the Milkmaid/Dream top pattern from Lydia Naomi. She offered it as a free download a year ago, and I finally got around to making it. Although it’s no longer free, it’s still available to download for an affordable price on her website. I’m going to make the dress version next! She also has a few videos on how to make the dress/shirt and make size adjustments.

I did a separating zipper (like is on a jacket) at the back instead of an invisible zipper under the arm. You’ll probably need help zipping it up if you do the same, but I wanted to give it a try. I raised the neckline by a hair but will probably raise it even more the next time I make it. I’m constantly bending over to pick up a kid, so I’d like the top to come up a little higher. I also made the bottom ruffle a little longer so it wasn’t cropped length.

I really liked making this top and already have the fabric picked out for the dress version! The shirt fabric was given to me by a lady at church and is a screen printed linen. It’s such a nice fabric.

Toddler Dress and Bloomers

When an outfit makes you feel goooood

My mom made the top and bloomers for Harlow when she was a toddler, and now Elodie is wearing the outfit. I made the headband when Harlow was little.

The outfit pattern is Simplicity 2375. I realized after the pictures that I should have ironed the top before she wore it, but oh well.

Halloween Dress from a Tablecloth

I’ve been thinking about making this dress for a year now!

Last year Keiko Lynn posted a pumpkin tablecloth dress she made, and I wished I could luck out and find the same fabric. While shopping for dining room chairs on the Kohl's website, I found this tablecloth!

I followed the same DIY Daisy tutorial that I used to make the yellow floral dress. I changed the neckline to a square neck with facing. I went with big sleeves and shortened the skirt a bit. I made the measurements smaller than last time but still felt it was a bit too much fabric for my small frame. I saw someone else added straps to tighten the dress at the waist, so I did the same. This dress is liking wearing a lightweight blanket!

This was a fun project. I had to work in small increments since I don’t have a lot of uninterrupted time (one-year-old baby constantly on the move). Without distractions, this is a good day project. 

I checked, and this tablecloth is sold out now. But buying a tablecloth, especially on sale, is a great way to save on the cost of fabric. This is a jacquard fabric, which would be more expensive at a fabric store. If you see tablecloth, sheet, or curtain patterns you like, you can turn them into clothes!

Video: I Made a Dress from a Curtain

 

Video: Sewing a Hedy Lemarr Inspired Dress

 

Hedy Lamarr: Her dress caught my attention. Her story inspired me. ●Victory Gardens ●Hedy Lamarr official website ●Zipper tutorial I followed ●This Was Hollywood instagram ●This Was Hollywood book ◦Fabric Used ◦Cricut Easy Press Mini Iron ◦Sewing Clips ◦Loop/Strap Turner ◦Skirt Clasps ◦Zipper ◦Janome Sewing Machines

Shirt + Material = Dress

****Looking for the May Giveaway?  Click HERE!****

_____________________

tank

plus

material

equals

dress

(Sorry for the poor photo quality...my hubby and I are working on bettering the modeling sessions :) )

(I wore the dress the next day to my sister-in-law's college graduation.)

I got the tank for $4 at Wal-Mart and the material for $1/yard at Wal-Mart.  I used the extra material I cut from the tank to make the ruffles on the neck.  The ruffles added a little pizzazz and raised the neckline.

The instructions for the dress are from Little Red Roost.  I'm so glad I found the site, because this was a great idea!  I had to alter the instructions a bit to fit my body.  I didn't need as much fabric as I thought.  Personally, enough fabric to go around me twice was way too much.  I also kept trying to sew the sash on but then I couldn't get the dress on.  That's when I realized the sash probably wasn't supposed to be sewn on (I'm learning!), so I tied it on and knotted it in the back, which looked better than a bow.

I made this dress in an afternoon.  This is fun and simple to make-- just remember that a seam ripper is your friend and have a little patience along the way :).  Everyone thought I had bought the dress at a boutique, so it was a hit!