Dotted Swiss

I have a weakness for dotted swiss. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about the texture and the tiny dots.

Last year, during my first trip to NYC's fabric district, I stumbled upon light blue dotted swiss with red dots. Instant love! The only problem was that the fabric was $30 a yard. I've never spent more than about $12 a yard for fabric in my life. With some persuasion, I talked the fabric store down to $20 for a yard and allowed myself just one yard of that sacred material.

I originally planned to make this dress (New Look 6688) :

However, when I went to attach the bodice to the skirt, I saw I did not make it long enough for my tall toddler. My solution was to drop the empire waist to a real waist (adding several inches), and adding some elastic to create separate skirt. For the top, I just added a bottom panel with several ruffles and a side zipper.

(Please note- these are separates and NOT meant to be worn together)

(Dotted Swiss and Grosgrain Ribbon)

Now that it is all done, $20 for the fabric seems like a steal :)

Return to Blogging

I apologize for my blogging hiatus. I'm 15 weeks pregnant with my second child and there was about 5 weeks where I was too sick and exhausted to do anything. Even the thought of blogging and sewing overwhelmed me. I just wanted to sleep. But I'm feeling much better now and promise to start posting more regularly. Stay tuned! I have some fun things to share.

YOUR Layered Jersey Skirt photos

I just love getting emails from you with the creations you've made from my tutorials. It is so rewarding to see that others are enjoying the same projects I do.

Look at these two 'layered jersey skirt' creations.

Ali made this from two old shirts but it ended up being too tight for a skirt so she got creative and saved it by turning it into a tank! It turned out darling and I love the rose she added.

Krissy Taylor just learned how to use a sewing machine LAST WEEK and look at well this turned out (with the coordinating top). Alternating a solid with a pattern is a fun twist. Her 2-year old loves her 'dancing skirt'.

If anyone else has made this or anything else I've posted, send me photos. I'd love to see them! melhoney(at)gmail(dot)com.

Ribbon Rack

How great is this ribbon rack? I think it is superior to anything else out there. I've never seen one hold so much ribbon. Creative Visions has been making these for 15 years from his home in Maine.