A few weeks a ago I picked up a pillowcase at Ikea, because I liked the embroidery on it. I thought it would be ideal to make a simple top/dress for Amber. I've seen so many examples of it already that I thought it wouldn't be a problem to make one too.
I tried to come up with the easiest way to go about it, but it was a bit of a dead-end street. And I didn't want to just cut the fabric for fear of ruining it. In the end I decided on using a pattern. This one:
(The same Ottobre again... this one's really worth its money!)
I changed it a bit. I lengthened the body and decided not to sew a skirt on it. I didn't have enough fabric for that anyway. In fact, I didn't have enough fabric for the top alone either, because it was supposed to be completely lined. I have no white cotton in my stash (for some reasons I can never find white cotton anywhere, I've been looking for years!)... what to do? I decided to use another pillowcase. Not an old, spare one, but the good stuff that we actually use. Oh well, all for a good cause!
Things went well until the situation above. Somehow I forgot to sew the side-seams together... hello seam ripper!
What I find most difficult about sewing clothes is determining which step is coming first. I sew two things together and then I find out that I should have sewed something else first. Definitely not a forte of mine, although it gets easier to more I practice (isn't that the case with everything you do?).
Nevertheless, I got it done! I used the pleads from the pillowcase to make the hem... isn't that clever of me?! And I think the top turned out very lovely and romantic. I hope it will fit Amber and that she will like it.
But now onto the best bit...
The back! Aaah, ribbon love! It reminds me a little of an easter egg, but a really lovely, pretty one! I don't know whether it will be very practical to wear, but for once I think that's of secondary importance. Sometimes something merely has to be esthetically pleasing.
So what was supposed to be a simple top took me almost a whole day to make, but it was well worth it, I think! And if Amber doesn't like it then I will just hang it on the wall and stare at the pretty ribbon!
Wauw zeg!! Een jurkje uit een kussensloop! Heel gaaf. Mooi met het borduursel zo in het midden en erg leuk die linten op de rug.
Ook het rokje is erg hip geworden! Jij bent echt goed bezig, zeg! Top!
Kan het niet volgen tot maandag want ik ga op vakantie! Maar ik ga volgende week je 'uitdaging' verder lezen. Leuk!
Succes nog!
Posted by: lisette | July 25, 2008 at 11:33 PM
oh my goodness this is darling! i love the embroidery (how did i miss that at ikea?), the pleats, and esp. the ribbons! if amber won't wear it, it will definitely look lovely on the wall!
Posted by: kirsten | July 26, 2008 at 12:42 AM
So sweet! It really is a work of art! Great job working with what you had. Stealing the pillowcase from under hubby's head is something I would do!
Posted by: Nichole | July 26, 2008 at 06:20 AM
Great dress , well made and I'm sure she will wear it everyday.
Posted by: Lovely Living | July 26, 2008 at 09:29 AM
it's beautiful! I love the pleat at the bottom.
Posted by: amandajean | July 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Lovely top....I am sure she will love it!!
Posted by: anne | July 26, 2008 at 11:58 PM
So pretty!
Posted by: Kristy | July 28, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Lovely! It seems to be a great pattern.
Posted by: Mette | July 28, 2008 at 06:22 PM
This one is really my favorite so far. So cute!
Posted by: Rae | July 29, 2008 at 05:53 AM
It looks so pretty!
Posted by: Chara Michele | August 02, 2008 at 10:11 PM