✪ If you're new, I am taking the challenge to create a letter themed outfit to correspond with Clover's preschool class letter of the week ✪
When I sew, I evaluate where I want to walk on the line between comfort and practicality versus design and my aesthetic in general because sometimes there's a bit of a gap. This was one of those cases.
E was originally going to be e for embroidery using some fantastic machine embroidered material I got in Korea, but it was on the fancy side as I gathered supplies to begin, and perhaps it will still come to fruition, but not as a play dress to be worn on the playground and while hand painting, which is as it should be. Good job, Katy, keeping things in check.
And really, practicality is not 100% on this one, a maxi dress on a preschooler, but if I was entirely practical I wouldn't be me, right, love?
I got this roughly sketched elephant stamp on ebay one day and sometimes I don't read size description very thoroughly because I underestimated how large it actually was. In fact, I've done that on more than one occasion. I once bought (online) two "little" vases I thought would be perfect for single stems and they turned out to be a foot and a half tall. It was quite the surprise. I ought to stop doing that.
Clover declared this her most favorite dress, so the client is happy.
If you've read my blog for any amount of time, you'll recognize that it's just my simple elastic bobbin gathering Maxi dress (here). It works best with really lightweight fabric, which is still being used in this climate of ours, despite our pleading for some cooler weather.
Brought to you by the letter E
Katy, these outfits you are making are truly inspired! I wish I had thought of it when I was homeschooling my daughter. Keep it up. You are inspiring to the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteoh boy, this would definitely be my daughter's favorite! too bad you got that stamp on ebay! i have a tiny tiny elephant stamp - not so great for this type of impact. really great! oh also, i made Em a maxi dress once and she wore it ALL THE TIME. climbed trees, the whole bit. it's practical! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove this one so much.
ReplyDeletethis is so cute, I love the elephants!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever considered starting a little clothing shop?? These outfits are adorable!! I'd totally buy this dress for my little girl.
ReplyDeleteI`m totally impressed by what you are doing day by day! Your creations are pretty nice and I´m sure, the kids love to have such a cool sewing mom!
ReplyDeleteHihi,I would have bet, that E will be elephant (although embroidery is really closer to clothing). Now I'm going to cook and meanwhile I'll try to figure out the next letters. :o)
ReplyDeleteLove the dress! I'm terrible at judging how big stamps are too! I have some that are bigger than I though and some that are smaller than I thought. :/
ReplyDeleteYou inspired me to purchase the alphabet stamp set on pick your plum ... I have no idea what size they are! They look small... we'll see!
ReplyDeleteLove all your alphabet looks and thanks for sharing them with the rest of us!
Very darling. Love that stamp. Even if it turned out larger than you had imagined! :)
ReplyDeleteKaty- I just wanted to tell you how much fun I am having seeing these letter dresses. What a special thing to do for a child. Hopefully she will keep these dresses to give to her daughter someday. Such a fun and amazing idea. They are all beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWill F be fringes and G godets? :o)
ReplyDeleteSo darling! I would love to know what you used to create the stamp print. Is there some sort of stamp pad with ink for use on fabric?
ReplyDeleteoh! I love it. I want one for me!
ReplyDeletelove it, i just gotta get some fabric ink. just gotta!
ReplyDeleteDid you use a gathering foot on your ruffled bottom? They look so perfect! I've thought about buying one.
ReplyDeleteI just went back through all the letters and Katy- AMAZING. I thought maybe I could do skirts each week, and I quickly got off course. They aren't doing the letters in order, either for some reason, so I am letting myself off the hook. These dresses are absolute treasures. I hope you will put them in a hope chest, seriously. They must be passe down an heirlooms. The dorothy buttons??? Where on earth did you get those? And the details on the chair dress? My heavens? Can I be your daughter? You Knudsens have more talend in your pinkies than the rest of us have in our entire bodies. So very impressed, but mostly by the sacrifice and labor of love.
ReplyDeleteI know you found the stamp on ebay, but do know where I might find one just like it? My daughter collects elephants, and I MUST have one!! :D
ReplyDeleteI love your sewing skills, btw! This dress is brilliant.
Suzanne--It's an ink that you set with an iron. Here's a tutorial and more info:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nobigdill.com/2012/05/tagged-diy-size-tags.html
Vanessa Filan--Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tim-Holtz-Rubber-Stamp-ELEPHANT-Stampers-Anonymous-/290749236946?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b20146d2
Oh wow is all I can say. Those elephants are stunning and take the dress from average to fabulous. So inspiring! Lucky little girl to wear such a one of a kind treasure.
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