Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Dressing up for Spring

I took the kids to the mall yesterday and, much to their dismay, started looking for spring clothes. I have completely fallen in love with these long cotton dresses for Meg. But I have not fallen in love with the price of said cotton dresses. They are sooo simple, they should be sooo cheap.....they are not.
So as any cheap, semi-crafty person would do, I stared at it, turned it inside-out, checked out the seams and decided to head to Hancocks. And there I saw the most beautiful sight in the world, pre-shirred fabric, right up front, ON SALE! If you don't know what pre-shirred fabric is don't feel bad, I only learned the name yesterday (thanks Kris). It is fabric that has been scrunched-up on one side, kind of like smocking....and yes that is the technical definition. So anyway Meg picked out a springy little plaid print and I picked out a long gorgeous red and black print (because every four-year-old little girl needs a floor length, dramatic red and black gown!!)
Of course I came home and washed my fabric immediately, pulled it straight out of the dryer and ironed it. Bobby would like to know how I am so proficient at ironing sewing projects but am baffled by ironing men's shirts...but I am perfectly comfortable with this dichotomy. I started "measuring" Meg (ie holding the fabric up to her and saying..."ehhh that looks good" ) and pinning the dresses. I was temporarily interrupted by having to feed my family, prepare for leprechaun visits and attend a class to become a substitute teacher. But in a total of about two hours, I had two adorable dresses at about 1/4 the price. And I'm telling ya', it is easy! Just a seam up the back of the dress and attach some ribbon straps. I have a feeling I will be making a few more of these.
Inspiration dress from The Children's Place.

Meg's two dresses :)

Poor Ryan, I don't make him clothes anymore. But he and his Daddy are OK with that. That and the fact that Mommy bought him khaki shorts with skulls and crossbones embroidered all over them and let him wear them for school pictures. Yep, Mom is pretty cool...this week.

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