First off, if you haven’t gone over to Project Run and Play to vote this week, would you mind heading over there and voting for #3 “Lindsay’s Girly Girl Twirl Dress”? I usually ask you guys to vote for your favorite look, but this week I need your help!
This was a particularly hard challenge for me (I’m not much into current women’s fashion trends). We are definitely at risk for being eliminated and the next week is the vintage-inspired challenge which I know I can rock!! So, if you all would please, pretty please, head over and vote, I would be so grateful! Voting is only open until midnight tonight.
This weekend I decided to take a little time to do some sewing for myself and my family. I started my very first string-block quilt and these are my first four squares.
For those of you that sew a lot of clothing, you know how many scraps you end up having left over. I thought this quilt would be perfect for using up all those skinny little scraps that I can’t bare to throw away. Plus, I love the eclectic look of all the different pretty fabrics.
In the picture above, you can see how the thin white strip forms a diamond when four blocks are placed together. I plan on this quilt taking me a very long time, but I love that I am using my scraps and I know it will be gorgeous when it is all finished.
I also decided to sew a quick peasant style dress for my daughter Savannah. I used the pattern that was given to us during the last Leila and BenProject Run and Play Challenge (the Sweet Dress pattern). I actually sewed the pattern the way it was instructed this time.
This dress pattern took me about 45 minutes to get sewn (garment label and all!). I would say if you are a beginner it might take about an hour and a half, but no more than that. It’s super-simple and only has two pattern pieces to cut! I would highly recommend this pattern to any new sewer that is looking to start to make children’s clothing.
The only thing I did different with the pattern was to add the ruffle detail down the front. I think this is going to be a great little dress for spring/summer. And what I really love about this pattern is that Savannah will be able to continue to wear this as a top when she gets taller – gotta love that!
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
I’d love it if you could answer this question. I’ve seen several blogs with beautiful garment labels like yours. I want some for my sewing!! Where did you get them?
Thanks so much!
pennyphilley(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, I am so inspired by these colors!
Such a beautiful quilt! And I love love the dress! Darling! Fingers crossed for you on PR&P!
I voted! Love the little dress and the quilt blocks are gorgeous. The white strip pulls it all together – I never would have thought of that. Thanks for the tip!
Hey Lindsay, Do you have a pattern for this quilt that you could share. So so pretty. Stunning actually. >3
Thanks ladies!! Yes, I will post about how to make these string quilt blocks. I am fairly new to quilting, but this is an easy beginner pattern.
Lindsay
Very pretty, love the colors. I would love a dress like this for my baby girl!
I have never made a quilt before, but when I find out in about a month or so if I’m having a boy or a girl, I’m going to venture into making my first one! No matter how it turns out it will still be a fun thing to do while I’m waiting on the little one to arrive! 🙂 I LOVE those scraps you used! I had a quilt made with all of the girly girl fabrics for my daugther’s “big” girl bed & it makes me so happy everyday I go in her room! 🙂 I voted for you! I love vintage retro designs especially for little ones, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with! 🙂
Love all the fun color in your quilt square!! I wish I had a fun scrap pile like you 🙂 Also love the sweet peasant dress. I love little girl’s in peasants dresses. I too love that they last for a few years!
I love that quilt square. It’s beautiful with those colors! I imagine it with either a solid black or white border in between each piece (1/2 to 1 inch wide). I hope you’ll show us the finished project.
LOVE the string quilt! I’m a beginning quilter myself and I can’t bear to throw away scraps either! Looking forward to seeing your “how to” on that quilt. Voted for your twirly dress. =)
I voted for you.
The Twirl Dress is wonderful and the quilt block is very pretty. I can hardly wait to see the whole thing.
Hi, adorable Lindsay! ^^
I JUST LOVED your blog, and Flickr, and work! \o/
I put a link on my blog.
We REALLY are blessed for stay at home doing what we love! ^^
I´ll be always around here!
Congratulations!
Regards from Brazil!
Simone
What a beautiful quilt that is going to be! And I can just picture little Miss S in that adorable dress.
Best,
Gloria
I love this! I think I ought to start saving more of my skinny scraps. I jut love the love of all those fabric together.
How do you make your ruffle (on the dress), do you use a ruffler? It almost looks like box pleats on a small scale.
Dawn, the ruffle down the front is actually just a pre-made trim. And yes, it is box pleats. It would take a long time to make, but was super easy because it was already done for me!!
Lindsay