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The Wondermommy Shop is filling with patterns! This week I’m going to be adding Farbenmix and Studio Tantrum patterns to my etsy shop. You don’t want to miss them! There will be some of your favorites and maybe some that are new to you. I hope to carry these as a regular part of the Wondermommy inventory!
The last day of Rachel will be coming probably Wednesday. This gives all of you out there a chance to catch up! Don’t miss our final day in this sew-a-long!
I had a really great time at home the past week. It is always nice to see family, especially, when we are celebrating. My Granny had a fab birthday complete with a fish fry. There was so much good food. I was also able to play with my little niece who is growing so fast. She’s walking and jabbering! Angela is doing such a good job with her. I was also able to see my twin nephews that are getting so big and will be 10 this summer. They have grown so much and from what I hear are doing so good in school. Thanks for being patient with my approving your comments. I’ve had such a great week. I’ll get back into the swing of things soon and will have more crafty goodness to share.
You probably haven’t noticed, but I’m away. I’m away this week visiting with my Granny, she is 70 years young today. I have enjoyed every moment that we have shared together as I’ve grown up. I was lucky to have her in my life. I was also lucky enough to know her mother…not many get to know their great-grannies.
My Granny quit her job to stay at home and keep her grandchildren during the day. This has always meant so much to each one of us. We had someone at home who loved us and was waiting with open arms at the end of the school day. I’m sharing a picture, even though, I know she’ll hate it…so let’s keep it quiet. The picture is of her and my son after he was first born. The gentle man is my grandfather that passed a few years ago due to Cancer.
She taught us all so much and she is one of the reasons that I learned to sew. The most important thing she taught me was to love my children with all my heart the way she loved hers and her grandchildren. I’ll just end by saying, I love you Granny and Happy Birthday.
This was my baby girl’s Vday outfit. I made it using the Sister Smocks pattern by Indygo Junction and Bon Voyage fabric. My model wasn’t the most cooperative.
It’s day 7, and we’re attaching sleeves today. I’m adding short sleeves. If you are adding long sleeves all of the steps will be the same except some additional ones at the end that I will walk you through.
Get your sleeve pieces and serge the bottom edge.
Pin the sleeves to the bodice. The easiest way to do this is to fold the sleeves in half. Use this mark to match up the center of the sleeve to the center of the bodice at the sleeve.
Carefully, sew the sleeves in place. Iron the seam toward the bodice.
Topstitch the sleeve seams.
You should have something that looks like this now.
Serge the sides of the bodice up through the sleeve seam in one continuous seam. Repeat this for the other side.
The last step is to hem the sleeves…if you are making short sleeves.
If you decided to make long sleeves, you will finish the number 11 pieces the way that we finished the pointed skirt layer. Sew them in a circle and topstitch them. Attach them to the bottom of the sleeve like you would a skirt to a bodice. Then, topstitch that layer. Long sleeves are finished!
If you have any questions about today, leave them in the comments section.
Our next day will be attaching the skirts to our bodice, and that means that will be the last day!!!! Hooray!!!!
Today, we are going to attach the neck facing and finish the button bands. You are going to need interfacing, fray check and buttons for the steps that follow.
Cut interfacing to fit on pieces 8, 9, and the bands that were marked on your pattern for the buttons on the number 2 pieces. Fuse these to their matching pieces.
We are now going to attach the bodices pieces by sewing them at the shoulder seams. This is the way that they are going to go together.
Iron the shoulder seams toward the front of the bodice. Then, topstitch them.
Now, serge together your neck facing pieces. Two-9s and the 8. The nines should be stitched to the ends of the eight and should make an open circle. Serge the outside edge of this neck facing.
Fold your button bands with right sides together. You are going to fold along the line where the interfacing was fused. Then, turn under about an 1/8″ of an inch on the edge.
Pin the neck facing to the neck, right sides facing.
On your regular machine, stitch the facing to the neck.
Trim the seam allowance and notch. I used my pinking shears to trim.
You are now going to flip the neck to the inside and iron it as you go. The button bands will be turned and the corners of the facing will be tucked behind the button bands. Makes sure you iron this in place really well to hold the correct shape.
You are now going to topstitch starting at the bottom of one button band, going around the neckline and ending at the end of the other button band. I stitched two rows of topstitching. One at 1/8″ and one at 1/2″.
Pick out buttons for your outfit. I picked 4 pink buttons, but use what works with your outfit.
Decide where they need to be placed. I used my Simflex that I purchased at Hancock’s of Paducah awhile back. I marked where I wanted the holes to go with my chalk pencil.
Then, make your button holes. After they are made, add fray check, let it dry, and open up the holes. Fray check keeps the fabric from unraveling.
Once your button holes are dry, place the back bodice pieces on top of each other the way they will be when the dress is finished.
Sew them in place at the bottom using about a 1/4″ seam allowance or less. This is just to hold your bodice together for attaching the skirts.
The last step for today is to sew your buttons in place. Use your holes as a guide for their placement. You can mark the center of the holes onto the other side using a chalk pencil. Then, just attach the buttons.
That’s it for today! We are getting close to the end. Our next step will be attaching sleeve to your top.
Leave your questions in the comments section and I’ll try to answer them!
