skirt to dress

Here's a dress I put together last weekend, after chopping up an old skirt that belonged to my sister (Cath, remember this one?). It was so easy to do.
I cut off about a 30cm piece from the top of the skirt and turned it into the bodice. Because the skirt was lined, there was enough fabric there to line the bodice as well. I used the bodice pattern from the 'gracie' dress (how appropriate!) by Portabellopixie.

The bodice turned out pretty huge and had a serious plunge neckline going on.
And since I think little girls should be sweet and modest, I added a frill around the V neck for coverage. Looks much better!
I gathered what was left of the original skirt, and stitched it to the bodice.
And the dress was complete- easy!

Here's my pile of left over fabric, zip, tag etc...so as you can see, not much fabric went to waste.

the 'gracie' skirt

Sandi Henderson from Portabello Pixie makes beautiful patterns for little girls 6m-8yrs. One of her patterns we recently purchased was the 'Gracie' pattern- how could we resist! I say 'we' because Grace actually picked it out off the Internet, without even realising it was her name! 

The reason I made the skirt was because I brought her the little top and it needed a bottom to go with it. I had the perfect fabric sitting on the shelf. 

A couple of weeks ago I got a new overlocker as an early birthday present, and was itching to try out the rolled hem on it. Worked a treat and I was so, so impressed at how easy it was! I can see a lot of my sewing being finished off with that rolled hem function.

gathered market bag

I made this bag last week for my sister in law's birthday. It was my first attempt at making the Gathered Market Bag pattern by Sandi Henderson. I love how the bag turned out! Hopefully if I get the time I might even make one of these for myself. Floral outside and inside fabric is from vintage pillowcases...thanks Claire! I was even brave enough to attempt the optional piping on the outside, and was so glad I bothered to do so. Next time I would make it slightly thicker though.