Applique swing top & bloomers

[artsiegirl]

I've been working on this appliqued swing top and bloomers for my soon-to-be-born niece, Marlie Claire. She's sure to be as fashion-conscious as her mother, so I've been busy lately making little outfits for her and she's not even born yet! What a little monster she's going to be!:angel:

[anpola]

Absolutely adorable! Another great project artsiegirl! Keep them coming!

[Carlene]

She will certainly be pretty in pink!

Are we a bit excited? LOL
What joy the little ones bring into our life!

[Luciana]

Very cute!!!!!!!

[Sew So Happy]

That looks so good! Everytime I see one of your outfits, it reminds me of how I need to learn how to make an outfit for Abby!:) You do a wonderful job with putting everything together.

[artsiegirl]

Thanks everyone! It's a joy to have a little girl to sew for again. I did alot of smocking and french heirloom sewing when my boys were small, but there's only so much lace and such DH would allow them to wear!

Sew So Happy, you could do it! The outfit above is one of the simplest things you could make. There's no zipper, pleats, gathers, or anything involved. You literally sew two side seams on the top and stitch the lining to the front fabic almost all the way around, leaving a little opening to turn it right side out. Give it a try...it would be awesome to see some of the creations you could come up with using your talent!

[Emily W.]

This is amazing....especially considering you've had a boo-boo on your hand! HELLO! Is this just an A-line dress or does it criss-cross in the back? I love the fabrics & the precious bloomers. The ric-rac makes the bloomer pop! I've never sewn ric rac on the dress like you've done, but I've wanted to learn how-thinking it couldn't be that hard.

[artsiegirl]

This is amazing....especially considering you've had a boo-boo on your hand! HELLO! Is this just an A-line dress or does it criss-cross in the back? I love the fabrics & the precious bloomers. The ric-rac makes the bloomer pop! I've never sewn ric rac on the dress like you've done, but I've wanted to learn how-thinking it couldn't be that hard.

The top criss-crosses in the back. It's so easy! The rick-rack is stitched on the stitching line of the top and then the lining and top are stitched together. When you turn the garment inside out, the rick-rack just shows on the very edge. It's as simple as can be. Let us see your handiwork when you try it!

[Emily W.]

I've got to try that! How do you post pictures to these threads?

I've finally cleaned & organized my sewing room thanks to the thread that gave me motivation so I'd like to post a pic of it & I'd love to post some of the outfits that I've made for my little Tazmanian Angel. They're nothing fancy, but considering it took me so long to figure out how to work my machine and actually complete anything correctly-I'm proud.

[artsiegirl]

It's pretty simple as long as your photos are already small enough for posting. Several people have given some good information on the Using the Website forum (much better than I can explain!) I'll post something there to bring it to the top so that it's easier to find. Can't wait to see what you post!

[stitchcrazy]

Artsiegirl - As usual, this outfit is absolutely precious! The pink and black really pop. I took an applique class a couple of weeks ago and now that I know how to do it, I notice all of the different ways to apply it so much more. Your niece is going to be the cutest kid in town!

[Ole' Girl]

That's the cutest outfit. What pattern did you use?

[StitchinGrandma]

That is a cute outfit.

[artsiegirl]

That's the cutest outfit. What pattern did you use?

I used Butterick 5439.

[Sew 'N Sane]

I used Butterick 5439.

Butterick patterns are on sale for $1.99 each at JoAnn Fabrics. I think the sale ends today.

:marchmellow:

[sew4fun]

Super cute! Love the bloomers!!

[ccdoster]

I just love the color combo. I wish I had the same gift for putting things together.

[for my kids]

Don't know how I missed this earlier....way too cute! you are so talented at combining colors and patterns! jusst adore that outfit...will definately make it for my DD and her cousin!

[just_teachin]

I don't know how I missed this one either! So adorable!!! And great colors!!

[artsiegirl]

Awww...thanks you guys! I've made several of these little outfits recently along with the apron top & bloomers on the same pattern. I'll see if I can locate a pic of that real quick.

[The Hen]

This is the cutest outfit, she is going to be the best dress little girl in town. You have great ideas. I love the fabric you used for the applique, where did you find it. I remember when I sewed for my 3 little girls. It was so much fun. I know this is a delight for you , did you ever sew for you boys when they were little. What size is your pattern? Pam

[The Hen]

Girl,this child will never want for clothes. I love the color combinations in the black dottie outfit, the little side ties add that special touch. I wish I had a little one to sew for. I'm going to have to get my baby daughter in the baby mood, "just kidding." It would be wonderful to be a nanny again. Pam

[The Hen]

ok Artsie girl, one more question, How do you do the bows on the shoulders. Are they just tied or is it attached to the buttons. I want to add that touch to a set I am going to make for a shower gift. Need you input. Pam

[artsiegirl]

Okay Pam (aka The Hen) your brain is definitely not on Summer Break! Look at all these questions...I'm tired just trying to come up with the answers! Just kidding. I did sew alot when the boys were little. In fact, that was my first really big investment. I bought a Bernina Anniversary Edition machine for like $800 and thought I be in debt forever with it! I literally loved that machine to its death! I did alot of heirloom sewing and smocking as well as applique for them. Now that we have this little girl in the family, it's so much fun to create and mix & match fabrics.

This pattern comes in a wide range of sizes (Preemie up through like 4T) Marli is so tiny we can't find things to fit her, so this pattern had been a blessing. The bows on the shoulders can be made 2 ways: I usually just stitch them on permanently if the mom doesn't know how to tie them very well and they hold up fine in a gentle wash and line dry, the other way is to stitch a snap on the shoulders and the bows so they can be removed (you could always safety pin it if it's not for sale.)

Good luck and get that girl in a baby frame of mind!

Sherri

[junebug]

The outfits are just adorable. You are so creative.

[anpola]

Another great outfit! Wish I could come over and be taught how to make those!

[artsiegirl]

Oh they're so simple anyone can do it! Really!

[StitchinGrandma]

CUTE! I love that green and black outfit. It's adorable.

[Caroleen]

This little outfit is just beautiful. I don't have an embroidery machine yet but sure have been searching all I can find on one.
Will look for this Butterick pattern. I have 3 married sons, 3 grandsons and now we have our first little princess (1 year this Friday) and boy, have I enjoyed sewing for her. Would love to post her recent picture wearing the smocked dress I did for her. She is gorgeous -- I'm not partial a bit.
Caroleen

[Carlene]

Very cute indeed! I too have not made any clothes as yet! But boy you make it sound like I should give it a try!

So cute!

[artsiegirl]

This little outfit is just beautiful. I don't have an embroidery machine yet but sure have been searching all I can find on one.
Will look for this Butterick pattern. I have 3 married sons, 3 grandsons and now we have our first little princess (1 year this Friday) and boy, have I enjoyed sewing for her. Would love to post her recent picture wearing the smocked dress I did for her. She is gorgeous -- I'm not partial a bit.
Caroleen

Please do post a picture! You can post it under this thread (Non-Embroidery Projects) as long as it doesn't have any competitors embroidery designs on it. I love to smock as well, and would love to be inspired! Just wait until you get an embroidery machine. That little princess (and the grandboys) will definitely benefit from your purchase. You'll love it!!!

[Jami Johnson]

Okay, I'm not sure how I missed this original post, but I'm glad it got bumped to the top again. I just love your ideas, artsiegirl.

I would love to see the smocked dress, too. I just got back from a trip to Memphis and my nieces were always decked out in cutest smocked dresses and monogrammed bloomers. Smocking isn't big here (Oregon) at all, which is a shame, but I just might have to change that. ;) In fact I picked up a darling 100% silk smocked dress from Avanini that was originally $114 for only $24. Little Lambs and Ivy in Memphis is going out of business and they had some great deals. This whole girl thing has got me going crazy...as if I wasn't crazy enough before.

[StitchinGrandma]

I LOVE the smocked look. They always look so cute. It is one of the things I'd love to learn in the future.

WOW! Jami that's an awesome buy you hit. Did you get me one too? LOL Welcome back!

[Caroleen]

As soon as I figure out how to upload a picture to this particular forum I will. I've got it all scanned but just searching how to do it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Caroleen

[Caroleen]

I hope this pic is not too big. Thanks for looking. Caroleen

[artsiegirl]

Oh how gorgeous...both the dress and the baby! Thanks so much for sharing it with us! I think I even have that smocking plate or at least one very similar. Love it!!!

[craftmama]

Love the picture and the dress.

[Jami Johnson]

Absolutely precious!! I'm glad you shared it with us. I'm tempted to learn how to smock, but just don't think I can justify the time right now. Hmmm...more new designs or a pretty smocked dress. I bet I know what you'd say. I better stick with the designs.

[artsiegirl]

I say do BOTH! I really need some great new smocking designs, and I know you could create some great ones if we can get you addicted to it as well!

[The Hen]

Thanks for the info. I hadn't thought of snaps. Glad to know that the bows wash ok.

[sewingfor3]

Beautiful job!!!!!!! I have ONE completed smocked item, but that is it! I takes me too long to do it and I go crazy with that one job. I admire others that can, way to go!