Tuesday 31 January 2012

Ruby's 'New' Dress

Have you checked out what's happening over at Mummy's Busy World lately?  A fabulous link-up showing off your kid's style, rocking their outfits.

I'm joining in this week, with a creation of my own - style's about attitude not how much money you spend, right?

So, if you read my Magpie Monday post yesterday, you'll know I got this dress with a beautiful floral pattern. It's not Liberty but the style reminds me of their gorgeous designs and it feautres spring-time flowers - purple violets and yellow blooms on a forest green background.  Pop over to yesterday's post to see how much I paid for it!!

Here it is laid out with one of Ruby's current dresses, for scale.



I set about it with my scissors, and using a very simple pattern by McCalls which I used previously on her strawberry print dress, I turned it from a size 18 lady's smock, to a dress for a 4 year old.


I removed the patch pockets and re-attached them.  Super simple, the only slightly tricky bit was the bias binding on the neckline and arm holes, but it's only my second clothing make and I managed it with no puckering - yay!


Then I made her a matching hair clip, in the same way as I'd made the felt heart one.  This time I used a scrap of green leather and some of the dress fabric (bondawebbed first to stop it fraying).

She stole my green scarf too!

I was sorting my craft stuff out and came across a bag of leather scraps which were given to me by our cobbler.  A brilliant shoemaker, he was a great personality and the only person my old man would trust with his beloved Church's brogues.  I read in the paper this weekend he sadly passed away, so this is my little homage to him.

He gave us some great tips for prolonging the life of our shoes, which I'll pass on to you:


  • Always store with wooden shoe trees - preferably cedar wood which has anti bacterial properties
  • Don't wear the same pair for 2 days running to give them a chance to recover
  • Don't wear your best shoes for driving as you'll get uneven heel wear

Anyhow, I digress, but I wanted to say Dio vi benedica Mario.

So, what do you think of my creation? Too cool for school?


Ruby's wearing:

Dress and Hairclip - handmade
Green Long sleeved T shirt - Tesco
Bottle Green tights - H&M
Purple Leather Boots - Bo-Belle from Angels & Urchins

Photobucket

This blog post is part of the Thrifty families blog carnival over at Family Budgeting pop on over!

27 comments:

  1. Wow looks fantastic liz your turning into a fab dressmaker :) love the little hairgrip to x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jane - long way to go before I use the term 'dressmaker'. x

      Delete
  2. I love her outfit!! (any chance you want to come and style me??...no?!..oh ok then!) That hair clip is fab was it easy attaching the leather and the fabric? I'm impressed with how easy you've made it all sound ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks lovely. The hair clip was super easy. I guess you could glue it all together, but I stitched it - through the leather, fabric and 2 vintage buttons. Easier than I thought, I was armed with a thimble but didn't really need it. Better with a small sharp needle that a thick blunt one! x

      Delete
  3. Really impressive and cute!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! i'm super impressed Liz. Ruby looks so cute too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Notice there's no close-up shots Jo!! Damn that bias binding! x

      Delete
  5. Really lovely, well done. she look beautiful and your material was such a bargain. Love the little flower for her hair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahh thanks Sheffy. I'm pretty chuffed with it :0)

      Delete
  6. Wow! Go you!!!!

    Not surprised you are pleased with yourself!!!

    M x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Maggy. I think this style will be great as she can wear it in summer too :0)

      Delete
  7. fantastic - well done you! Ruby looks very happy with it too.
    a new career??

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bias binding!!!!! Arm holes and pockets!!!!! Blimey you are good!
    LOVE the styling too, do they do the boots in my size?
    Lovely tribute!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks A. It was MUCH easier than it sounds. Bless her she wore it to nursery yesterday and told everyone at show and tell that I'd make it for her! #proudmummy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Really love this outfit! You are one amazing seamstress. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so impressed with your DIYness. If I had a little girl I would totally want to try this style out!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why Miss Ruby, don't you look lovely? I'm super amazed by your handiwork and so glad you've joined the Trendy Toddler link-up. Hair clip? Too cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, don't know why I didn't join in before :0)

      Delete
  13. It's gorgeous. I have so many plans... you are inspiring me to get on and get some of them actually made!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha that's the tricky bit isn't it! Would love to see what you make x

      Delete