Heidi and Finn Dorset Dress

One of my favorite things to do is pattern test.  I'm not sure if it's the camaraderie of sewing the same thing at the same time as others or that there is a hard and fast deadline so I actually allow myself to commit time to sewing and complete a project in a timely manner.  Why is that always so hard to do? 

If you've visited my blog ever before you know that Heidi and Finn patterns are by far my favorite ones out there.  Her patters are quick and easy to follow along.  Everything is neat and tidy with great pictures to illustrate steps, let's be honest I rarely read, I just follow along the pictures (except when I'm testing I read...that's part of the deal).  But each pattern finishes with clean lines and looks professional even for beginner sewers.

The Dorset dress, by Heidi and Finn, is a simple, comfy and modern staple in any little girls’ closet. This jumper style dress has been updated with clean modern lines, a slim a-line fit with an above the knee hem.

I tested a size 4 for my ever growing 3 year old.  I am in total denial that she is so big.  I would say the fit was a little big on her, since she is three, but the perfect size for growing into.  I think she would be out of it too fast had I've done the 4.  The material used was a good quality quilting cotton picked up at my local Joann fabric.  It was regularly $12/yd and I snatched it up with an extra 50% off clearance for a whopping $3.50/yd.  Since this dress required less than a yard to make, and I used buttons from my stash, I spent less on this dress than the coffee I drank while making it!  A little bit sad I know....

The only modification I made to it, and I don't even know if you'd call it that is I really loved the yellow accent with the navy plaid so I lined it with, and backed the buttons with, some yellow I had.   I also lined the flutter sleeve with it for some interest.  I did this by cutting double (so 4) sleeve pieces.  I followed the directions and folded the piece in half and then pressed it.  I then measured a 1/4 of an inch from the crease and cut all 4 sleeve pieces like this.  I took the larger piece of all the sections and matched one yellow to each plaid and pinned them right sides together.  I sewed a 1/4 seam down the pressed crease.  I then double checked that my modifide sleeve piece was the same size as the pattern piece and continued with the pattern as written.

So here she is, the Dorset Dress by Heidi and Finn on my youngest model who is super tricky to photograph....I haven't groomed her quite like her big sis just yet!!!!  Take a look, ask some questions and go out and get it!

This pattern is available for sale in her etsy shop on sale this week for $7.95 ($6.36 USD).  Scoop it up while it's on sale.  Also, word on the street is she has two patterns getting ready for testing in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled and your fingers crossed I get selected again!

Second Birthday Party Project #2 - Party Hats

If you remember my party hats from last year, you remember that I added a little flair to them.  All the little girls had Baby Girl bows on them.  This year I again swayed from the traditional party hat.  Don't get me wrong, EVERY party needs a party hat, but it's time to be a little more creative!  I have always loved Minnie ears, we even tried to buy them for The Girl for Christmas but they were sold out, so...I made her one!

I started by collecting my materials.  I already had most of the materials so all I purchased was the headbands from the dollar store.  Each set of ears therefore cost me $1 to make.

I started by cutting the ear shapes out of some foam I had and then covering them with black satin I had.  I sewed the satin leaving one end open to insert the foam.  I removed the sequence flowers then glued the ears to the headband.

Next, I cut two squares from the poke-a-dot material and sewed the wrong sides together.  I left a small whole open and then flipped the material right side out.  I trimmed the edges, ironed and then top stitched it all the way around.  Once the squares were completed, I loosely stitched through the center and cinched it tight to make the bow.

I glued the bow on between the ears.  They aren't perfect but The Boss didn't care.  She LOVED them!

The Boss and her cousin are hams.  At Two years old they know how to strike a pose!

My poor nephew, he is always stuck with the two girls.  For him, I made a Mickey hat.  I cut two ears out of black scrapbook paper and glued them to a red party hat for him.  He seemed please and was more than happy to pose with TWO Minnies!

Our Weekend...

Naughty or Nice?

Are we good parents for posing with her OR terrible parents for making her pose at all?

The Girl has been loving the idea of Santa.  Pointing to things with Santa on it and talking about him, however when it came time for the annual picture she was having none of it.  She didn't throw a temper-tantrum...we've seen those and know what they look like...she instead was clinging to and clawing at Mr. D's shirt.  We decided to make it a family photo in an effort to  actually get a picture for her memories.  

Do you think if she was a little older she would have told me to forget the memories, this is not happening?

Either way, we look somewhat happy and we have year two for her baby book. 

Terror in her eyes and all!

Last year, much better if you ask me!

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