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Friday, February 25, 2011

Charlotte Dress

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This week I participated in a sew along hosted by Jess of Craftiness is not Optional.  The Charlotte dress is a pattern she designed for her daughter Charlotte.  I have to say, I think it's probably the cutest thing I have ever made!  I also tackled a few new techniques - zippers and sleeves.  Jess has divided the instructions for the dress up into five separate posts.  You can find the first part right here.
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Here are a few in-progress shots:
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Almost finished - just waiting for the zipper...
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I had to take a picture of the zipper so that I would remember how to do it next time!
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I can't tell you how excited I am to have finally sewn a zipper!
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The finished dress:
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I just love these two Amy Butler fabrics together.
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Here's the invisible zipper:
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Did I mention that I'm really proud of this zipper?
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I think it's safe to say that I've found a new favorite baby gift!
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If you are looking for a new sewing project, I highly recommend this one.  It was much easier than it looks and didn't take long.  I spent a 1/2 - 1 hour each night this week working on it.  Head on over to Craftiness is not Optional and check it out along with the other sew along's Jess has done.
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Happy weekend!
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39 comments:

  1. This is adorable! Very sweet. Happy Weekend! :)

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  2. That is absolutely adorable!!! Great job! :)

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  3. Wow! I am so impressed! The dress is adorable right down to the invisible zipper. Well done Alissa!

    -Rene

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  4. Absolutely wonderful little dress. The fabric is adorable. I'm afraid I've never got the hang of putting in a zip that way....I sew the seam up very loosely...iron it out flat...pin in the zip and then tack it using a seam on both sides of the 'teeth'... then sew along the tacking...sorry, can't describe this very well but yours looks superb.

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  5. Wow, that is just beautiful. You are quite talented. There is going to be some lucky little girl who gets to stut her stuff in that!

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  6. You are the most talented person I know! This is the cutest dress!

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  7. You are so great at everything you do! The dress is beautiful Alissa! Congrats at sewing your first zipper!

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  8. wow that is an adorable dress! I'm so glad you sewed along-cause that dress is just...again...CUTE! Love it!

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  9. So totally adorable! I love the fabrics you chose, I'm going to have check out this pattern! THanks for sharing!

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  10. I love Amy Butler fabric...but the dress itself just turned out so cute!! It would be my go to gift too...if I could sew.
    happy weekending,
    Ashlyn

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  11. Simply...just too darn cute. Love the mix of fabric & placement! Congrats!

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  12. Is there anything that you can't do?? Lol, seriously!

    This is so cute--I love it.

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  13. Goodness...that fabric is too much! Love it, Alissa, and you did a fantastic job.

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  14. Great job, Alissa! I love Jess's sew- alongs. Your fabrics look fantastic. I'd be proud of the zipper, too:)

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  15. I'm no seamstress, so I really appreciate anyone who is! Great job on a super cute dress. I LOVE the fabric patterns you chose. I could see that pattern covering a couple of slipper chairs! :)

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  16. Oh Alissa, that is so so so cute! Love the fabrics you chose! So sweet!

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  17. I think you are justified in being proud of that zipper. I love the fabrics that you have used too Alissa.

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  18. The dress is really adorable. I love sewing for little girls. I used to hate zippers and would avoid them as much as possible. That is until my sister showed me a trick with invisible zippers. There is a really narrow tape called Wash-a-way tape that I use instead of having to pin in the zipper. It works great! You can get it at JoAnn's but it's best to have a coupon as it is around $5 something. I use it also if I want to put ribbon on the bottom of a dress or really just about anything that you would normally have to pin. It washes right out. You might give it a try on your next dress because it sounds like you will be making more. :)Maggie

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  19. so lovely! adore the fabric you chose!

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  20. I too hated zippers but I still suck at it!!!! :)

    Great job, I love that dress!!

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  21. Alissa, that dress is so adorable. I always love Amy Butler fabrics. As for sewing an invisible zipper, way to go! In all my years of sewing I have yet to sew one.

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  22. What a pretty little dress! I love the combination of fabrics.

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  23. Did you use a pattern? Free Hand?

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

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  24. you are a natural born zipper sewer'er!

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  25. What a precious dress! And I hope to get the resolve to try an invisible zipper soon....it has been on my "must try" list but I have been too nervous to give it a go so far. Love those fabrics!

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  26. LOVE your blog. Passing on the stylish blogger award to you! Visit me at www.newenglandhomeandgarden.com
    Gina

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  27. This absolutely adorable! Love the fabric choices!

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  28. I love it! Perfect for Easter with some mary janes...Good job on the zipper, I'm completely intimidated by them and make my mom come over the sew them in!

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  29. Alissa this is absolutely adorable. What beautiful work you do!

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  30. That dress is absolutely precious! Great job Alissa :)

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  31. I just love, love, love Amy Butler fabric and these two are great! I might have to do some fabric shopping...!

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  32. Sooo beautiful! AbsolutelY!!!!

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  33. I saw this on Flickr, it is beautiful!

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  34. Oh my gosh! I love that dress. So sweet!

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  35. Love that dress! Impressed with your sewing skills too! Great idea for a gift, I might need to use it soon!
    PS- if you are interested I called your blog out for the Versatile Blogger Award, check out our latest post if you'd like, lots of linking up to do though! So if you ignore no biggie.
    http://hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com

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  36. Your dress turned out beautifully and your zipper looks awesome!

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