Round Apron Dress

I finished Mary's Round Apron Dress! Chris walked in on me finishing it, so took a photo of me sewing in my personalized label. This dress went so much more smoothly and quickly than the last one, my having started it last night after the children went to sleep and finished it in a couple more hours this afternoon.

I am so pleased with it!

I tried a different technique for the elastic than on the nightgown I sewed for myself last month. This time I encased the elastic (instead of stretching it and sewing it on with a zigzag stitch) and, while more time consuming and one could have used elven sized hands, the visual result was much more professional looking.

The apron caused some excitement. The fabric store worker and I both mis-measured the amount of fabric I needed for the apron, waistband, and ties. I was able to adapt and overcome by forgoing the ties (which are one more complication on a little girl's dress) and inventing my own waistband using the amount of fabric I had left.

I made my own bias tape out of the bodice fabric and my own applique out of the skirt fabric.

I intended this dress for the fall (hence the color theme) and Mary has room to grow in it. But I am so happy with it, I think she'll be wearing it to Mass on Sunday.

I have so many sewing projects I want to finish!

* pajama pants for John (because he wants something special sewn for him after seeing Mary given dresses)

* a baby's sleeper (pattern and supplies purchased three years ago)

* a blouse (pattern and supplies bought two-and-a-half years ago)

* a nightgown (the same one I made last month, but with a different fabric)

* cushion covers for our kitchen chairs (pattern purchased, but not yet supplies)

* John and Mary's All Saint's costumes (I think: Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe)

* priest's cassock for John (pattern purchased a year and a half ago--gift idea for his fourth birthday)