Make It Or Buy It - Le Pink Princess Pink Rose Girls Dress

Make It or Buy It is a new weekly post I am planning. The idea is to weigh the options of making a particular outfit or article of clothing vs. buying it.

First Up is the Le Pink Princess Pink Rose Girls Dress

Option 1 - Buy It

Store: La Bella Flora Children's Boutique
Price: $88.00
Thoughts: The price point is fairly high for a children's dress, but if it is for a special occasion sometimes the splurge is worth it. From what I was able to discover online, the designers are based out of California, but I can't find where the actual dress is manufactured which makes me a little nervous.  Not that I completely avoid buying anything made in any particular country, but when it is not specifically stated I feel like something is being hidden for a reason. The only other concern I have about buying this dress is that doesn't state what percent polyester it is. Again nothing against polyester, but at that price point the polyester content should be relatively low compared to the cotton.

The positive is that the boutique that actually sells the dress donates a portion of the profits to children's group homes, which is a very worthy cause.

Option 2 - Make It
(fabric price estimated based on one yard unless stated otherwise)

Pattern
Clara Twirl Dress $7.95

Fabrics
54" Wide Tulle Silk White (2 yards for layering) $2.00
Michael Miller Cotton Couture Broadcloth Soft White $7.48
Michael Miller Cotton Couture Broadcloth Pink $7.48
Bliss Lace Ivory $7.98

Other
1 1/2" White Lace Satin Center Ribbon White(3 yards) $6.00
Pink Satin Rhinestone Flower Appliques $6.99
Gutermann Elastic Thread White $1.59
Fabric scraps for large flowers on bodice

Total : $47.47

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
While the pattern itself is a beginner pattern you will have to apply a few techniques to it that may be tricky for someone who has never sewn before. The back of the original bodice has shirring (which is really much easier than it seems). The ribbon will have to be sewn to the seams on the skirt and the large fabric flowers need to be handmade. There are countless number of tutorials available on all of these techniques just a Google search away.

The Verdict - Make It

This dress can be made for half the price and you will still have fabric left over, plus a great pattern that can be used again and again.

If the original had been handmade or 100% cotton the verdict may have gone the other way  but without the missing information I am not comfortable paying that much even for a special occasion dress.

If you make this dress please let me know so I can link to it!

The Lots of Layers Garden Party Dress Tutorial (Kind Of)

I'm sorry I took so long to get this tutorial to you, but I wanted to be sure that it was perfect.

I want to start by saying that this dress requires a little bit more work than most dresses, but that little bit of extra effort is so worth it for the amazing results you will get in return. Of all of the dresses I have ever made, this is by far the one that I am the most proud of.

Materials:

• One Shoulder bodice Pattern - I used the Peek a Boo Pattern Shop Jasmine Dress
• Woven Lining Fabric - (not shear) I used about a yard for the equivalent of a size 6 ready to wear.
• Main Fabric - My fabric was purchased from www.fashionfabricclub.com but be warned it took 3 weeks to arrive.  I used every inch of a yard and a half for a size 6.
• elastic 1/2 inch elastic
• matching thread
• basic sewing supplies - tape measure, needles, cutting tools, iron

Step 1: Preparing the lining

• Cut the bodice and skirt out of the lining fabric as instructed by the pattern. If you are using the  Jasmine Pattern add one inch extra to the sleeve top. Do not cut out the petal tie. 
• Hem sleeve edges. 
• Sew elastic casing along the neckline. 
• Sew one of the side seams. Do not sew the seam on the side where the neckline is lower. 
• Sew the waistline elastic casing as instructed.
• Do not insert the elastic into the casings yet.
• Hem the bottom of the dress. 

At this point the dress should look like this.

Step 2: Determine the size and ruffle of your main fabric.

• Cut a few test strips of fabric.
• Measure the fabric before ruffling
• Sew a line of basting stitches and then pull your basting thread until you reach the desired level of ruffle
• Measure the strip of fabric afterwords. 
• Finished Ruffled Measurement / Starting Ruffle * 100 = ruffle
• My ruffle was 70% of the original fabric length for a barely ruffled look.
• Decide how wide each ruffle will be. You will need a few wider strips to fill in blank spots.
• My ruffles were 4 inches wide and 5 inches wide.

Step 3: Prepare your First Ruffle

• If you are using the same amount of ruffle as me cut your first ruffle length using the following formula. 
• Hem length * 1.3 + 2 inches
• Narrow Hem the ruffle.
• Sew a row of gathering stitches.
• Distribute the fabric evenly as you gather the ruffle to fit the hem of the dress.
• One inch on each end should remain unruffled and hang over the edge of the dress.
• Once the gathers are distributed turn under the gathered edge at the ruffle stitch and zigzag stitch it under so that it won't be exposed once the ruffle is attached.

This tutorial is meant to get you started on making your ruffle dress. At this point in the process of creating the tutorial my computer crashed and had to be reset to factory settings. I lost all of my pictures (and learned an important lesson about backing up my computer) so I will try my best to explain the rest of the process without photos.

• The rest of the ruffles were prepared and placed one at a time in an slightly asymmetrical pattern. 
• Do not sew over the elastic casing when attaching ruffles. 
• Once all of the ruffles are attached insert elastic into waistline and neckline casing and sew ends in placed.
• Before sewing up the side seam baste the 1 inch over hang of each ruffles out of the way. 
• After the side seam is sewn hem the ends of the overhang ruffles, then overlap with the other end of the same ruffle and hand sew in place to the dress.
• Sew the shoulder seam together.  
• Create a tube of fabric and insert a piece of elastic into it for the shoulder strap. 
• Try the dress on for fitting and pin the shoulder strap in place.
• Sew to dress after fitting
• Hand sew any disobedient ruffles down.

That's it. I really wish I had the pictures to finish this tutorial correctly, but hopefully you can use the information to take this dress and make one with your own unique spin on it!

Let me know if you have any questions and I will answer them as best I can.

The Best Laid Plans - Kids Clothes Week

I had big plans for Kids Clothes Week. Lots of beautiful fabrics, amazing patterns, and new techniques to try. But then life happened. I've only been able to sew one day so far this week and we are already on day 4.

However my sister has been busy making something awesome  Actually three somethings awesome  so all I have to show you are her little creations.

These three identical lovely ladies were born this afternoon. They are all approximately 2 and a half lbs and doing well for babies born at 30 weeks.

I am babysitting their older brother and sister this week. It's been a while since I had children so young and I had almost forgotten how a one and three year old can suck the energy right out of you. I don't envy my sister one bit. She is going to have her hands full.

Thankfully more family is coming to help in a few days, so I hope to get at least one more day of sewing in before the end of KCW. I've been sneaking a look at everyones work when ever I can, and I love what I see!

Pinterest Party I'm a Co-Host!

Try this code instead. Let me know.

Hey friends! It's Wednesday night and you know what that means! It's time for the weekly Pinterest Power Party!! This party is to focus on YOU - the readers! Do you have a DIY project, frugal gift idea, or delicious recipe you want to share? Well, we want to see them and share them on our Pinterest boards too!!

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So, you're asking...

How do I participate? Easy!

Be a Pinterest Follower of the three hosts as well as our co-hosts!

Living on Love and Cents: Pinterest | Blog

The Taylor House: Pinterest | Blog

Sew Much Crafting: Pinterest | Blog

Love Nerd Maggie {Follow on Pinterest}

Blog: The Love Nerds

Jennielee226 {Follow On Pinterest}

Blog: Lachman Collection

Let's party!! Help us spread the word by grabbing the above button and putting it on your blog! Then come back and link up your favorite projects, tips, and ideas! Also, please pin the two links before yours {and any others you like too!!}.

But wait, there's more!! Be sure to stop by next week and see if your link was featured! If you're featured, grab a button and wear it proudly on your blog!

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Would you like to co-host with us? We have openings in some of our upcoming parties for people who would like to join us! Just send an email to Chrissy (cmaetaylor@yahoo.com) to find out which dates are available!

Are you ready to party and get your pin on?

Here are the features from last week!

1. Best Green Smoothie Ever from Prairie Girl to Southern Belle

2. Chocolate Candy Flower Pot from Krystie’s Creations

3. Brown Sugar Cookie Bars from Real Housemoms

4. 7 Layer Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Half Baked Harvest

5. Treat Jar from Cherished Handmade Treasures

6. Monthly Meal Plan from Learning the Ropes

7. Jump Rope Wreath from Sowdering About In Seattle

8. Top Ten Tools for Organization from Organized Island

I would love to have you stop and check out some of my other posts that I shared here at The Taylor House this week.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

Chocolate Mint Oreo Cupcake Recipe

DIY Denim and Lace Cell Phone Case for Mother's Day

It's getting to be that time of year when we start turning those blue jeans into cut off shorts. It's one of the most popular refashions and so darn easy, even non sewer's can do it. It also leaves you with a bit of unused denim lying around.

I hate to let denim go to waste because it isn't cheap. Luckily cut off shorts time corresponds with Mother's Day quite well. Turn those denim scraps into a beautiful cell phone or digital camera case to give as a gift (to your mom or to yourself).

I added a lace overlay to make it pretty and made the chain out of a broken necklace so that it would be easy to find in a purse, or carry around without a purse.

You Will Need:

• Denim and lace scraps
• A sturdy broken necklace
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Hand sewing needle
• Sew on Velcro

Step 1: Mark your seam lines using the cell phone as a guide for size.

Step 2: Cut out Denim. Remember to include seam allowance and hem allowance. On the back leave 4 to 5 inches of extra fabric and trim to a curved shape. 

Step 3: Flat line the denim with the lace. Flat lining is the process of attaching the overlay. It's very simple. Just sew the lace to the denim inside the seam allowance so that the stitching won't be visible once the seams are sewn. From this point forward the denim and lace will be considered a single piece of fabric. 

Step 4: Hem the top of both the front and back by turning it under and securing it with a straight stitch. Then use a zig-zag stitch along the edge to prevent fraying. On the back piece with the curve, you may have to clip the fabric to get the hem to lay flat.

Step 4: With right sides together, sew the front to the back along the bottom and both of the long sides.

(Sorry, no pictures)

Step 5: Turn to the right side and attach the Velcro  Attach the chain with a thread loop. You may want to use home decor thread to attach the chain to make it stronger.  (Sorry again for the lack of pictures)

This post is part of the Sharing is Caring Mother's Day Blog Hop hosted by Life With Lovebugs, Powerful Mothering and Feeding Big!


All of the blogs listed below are sharing Mother's Day themed posts as part of this event, so click on one or all of the links below to find some great recipes, tutorials, crafts and more!