etsy shop update.. polka dot dresses and floral rompers.

Etsy update.. the navy polka dot dress with cut out back is up in the shop, as well as the floral romper. The red polka dot dress and straw hat will be up in the shop later this week, as well as a 90's nautical red and white striped top!

I feel guilty about my lack of posting this weekend! Sorry for the missing Sewing Saturday post. I started two projects and didn't get a chance to finish either because of this weekend's craziness. Neil's parents came down to Nashville to celebrate his birthday on Sunday, and on Saturday I had a chance to meet with a lovely blogger and spend a lot of time with her and her husband, as well as a surprise visit from some of our college friends Saturday night.

I'll be posting photos of the lovely blog visit tonight!

sewing saturday.. completing a floral romper

I've finished my favorite sewing project to date!

Last week, I finished cutting and marking the pattern pieces. This week, I put all the pieces together.

I began by sewing ten darts into the body, then trimming, pressing, and/or pinking them into place.

I then sewed the two bodice pieces together in the front and halfway up the back. The pattern called for a 22 inch zipper, so I sewed one in. I finished the bodice off by sewing the leg inseams and shoulder seams together.

Facing. After sewing two shoulder facing pieces to the front facing, I stitched 1/4 inch from the unmarked edge on both the front facing and armhole facing. Once that was finished, I pressed the facing inwards at the stitching and sewed it again. I then attached the armhole facing pieces to themselves to make a circle.

Then, I attached the facing pieces to the bodice. The neckline has a keyhole cutout look, which I liked. The pattern also suggested adding a button and loop at the top of the cutout, which I didn't like. When I attached the front facing, I followed the pattern's stitching lines at the keyhole, then trimmed the excess fabric, pressed the facings inward (after doing a quick understitch on the facing pieces right above the original seam). I was amazed at how easy the neckline was to create.

The final step was adding a casing to the hem of the shorts and slipping the elastic in. I pressed the edge of the shorts 1/4 inch underneath, then pressed it again, about half an inch (wide enough so the elastic would fit inside). I stitched at the very bottom of the hem and at the top of the casing, leaving room for the elastic to slip through. Then, I inched the elastic into the casing. If you're impatient like me, a quick way to get the elastic through quickly is to cut little holes in the back of the casing (not through the front - you don't want the holes to be visible when worn!) and pulling the elastic through the holes to speed up the process.

Here it is!

I'm really happy with the outcome - I just tried it on and it fits perfectly. I think I'll be using this pattern again and again to make variations, maybe use it to learn how to make patterns smaller and larger, and I want to make a gingham romper with it. Maybe with a peter pan collar instead of the keyhole cutout?

I'll be wearing the romper to a Mother's Day celebration tomorrow, so I'll post photos!

I've been really sewing obsessed lately.. which is fun. But after awhile, I like to find inspiration in other places. Do you guys have any suggestions on a good film to watch or article to read or blog to stalk? I'm getting antsy for new ideas.