Thursday 2 September 2010

Table Cloth Dress

Long time no see!  Sickness, sickness, sickness should pretty much sum up why.  I'm rather over all these end of winter gremlins.  Still it's been a very mild winter and these are the only illnesses we've experienced so I shouldn't complain.  But when you're changing sheets in the night, you don't really see it the same way do you?  But now we are all well again and Spring is here.  Well it was yesterday anyway. 

Yesterday I decided it was time to do a little bit of sewing again.  We desperately need more pillowcases so found some rather dashing red gingham from last Christmas's table cloths and cut out a good chunk of fabric.  I just couldn't do it.  There was so much fabric for one little pillowcase so I cut the piece in half and started on a dress for No.4.

And it turned out rather sweet.  The poor girl cheerfully put it on for a photo session before and it's really quite chilly today.  Still she felt very pretty with it on and didn't mind a bit.

It's even got a petty coat skirt!  So girly and twirly.  And some lovely old French buttons from dear Liz.  I adore these buttons so much.  It's adds to the old fashioned look of the dress.

The buttons are to the side of the back bodice a bit.  Not really planned that way but I rather like it.  A little asymmetrical is good I'm sure.

This is a photo of Spring, yesterday.  Today it doesn't look like that at all.  It's all white and chilly.  Yesterday I got washing dried on the line and I didn't have to wear my coat. 

My sewing lessons at school are going well with 15 eager students doing a great job learning how to sew.  They love the projects too.

Soon we are off to watch the big girls run in the cross country.  I used to hate with a passion that time of year. Running is completely not for me.  Luckily our girls are good runners, but I still feel sorry for them.  No.2 didn't want to go to school today because of it.  I think she was praying for rain at 6am this morning.  She was not a happy girl.  Still it will all be over soon.  Let's hope she doesn't fall over this year and ruin her knees.

I might go and pack a picnic lunch for No.4 now.  She likes her food very much and will not want to wait until after the run.  Have a fun day today.

Edited to add:  No.2's prayers were answered just as she was getting ready for her race.  The heavens opened up and the last three races were cancelled until next Monday.  It just happened that two of them were for our girls.  There was a huge round of applause from all the freezing kids.

19 comments:

Andi said...

Such a pretty dress!!!

'Joyce' said...

What a lovely littles dress, so love the petticoat. Yes, house of sick here too the last 3 weeks, and apparently now it's my turn. *ugg*. Get well soon and take care, spring is here and hopefully all the *yuck* goes away.

Heidi said...

What a sweet little dress!!

sallgood said...

That dress is so adorable! Love all of your cute details. Hope running went well, and that eveyone will be feeling well soon!

Selina said...

Very sweet Sarah! I love the added touch of the petti poking out the bottom, very nice.

Hope you're all over your illnesses now. xx

Rachel D said...

Oh my word, your sewing/quilting/crafting/gardening is divine! I loved perusing your blog! Thank you for the kind comment on my blog. FYI - it's a little hard to work with premium plush, fluffy towels, but I'm sure you'll do great.

As a side note, I spent a week in NZ just after I graduated from high school. I fell in love with your beautiful country so much that I still tell my husband I'd like to move there, or at least retire there. Lucky you to live there already. :)

Serenata said...

Gorgeous dress Sarah, can you make me one? Please, pretty please? Oops, I forgot we are going into Autumn and then Winter so it will be too jolly cold ;-)

The buttons from Liz are just perfect for the dress.

Lovely spring photo with a perfect blue sky. I used to hate the cross country runs with a passion as well, although in reality I should have been quite good as I used to go running with Dad.

I really need to find my mojo for sewing again, it really has gone AWOL

Elderberry-Rob said...

I think this dress is fabulous and much more useful than a pillowcase! So well made and all the details make it really special.

Joan said...

I'm glad everyone is well at your house now and I hope it stays that way! Every mom can commiserate with changing sheets in the middle of the night, even if it's been many years ago for some of us.

Sweet dress! I'm glad you got in some sewing time, too.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous dress! I totally understand about the cross country bit too. We always had to do it in winter time, even if it snowed, rained or hailed.... Unfortunately I was quite good at it and my teacher wouldn't let me slow down and walk with my friends, it also meant I had to go with another 3 girls from our school to represent our age group at the county cross country event! Rubbsih...

ted and bunny said...

hi there, thanks so much for becomming a follower, leaving a comment and entering my Giveaway- how clever to make a quilt out of the linens.

I love your blog, and I want WANT a big size dress in red gingham with lace pettis- I've just pulled a tablecloth from the linen cupboard and started to plan it, but it might be more of a pinafore dress as I get too cold (even in summer) to do shoestring straps!

I just wish I looked as adorable as your daughter :)
Hope to chat again
xx

Jak said...

Such a pretty little dress for a pretty little girl. I do so like girlie dresses rather than 'mini-me' designer stuff. Well done! I remember that 'middle of the night' bed changing - glad all are well now.
Jak x

LissyLou said...

that dress is absolutely gorgeous!!

Roscia said...

What a lovely little dress.

Willeke said...

The little dress is gorgeous. Especially with the petty coat skirt.
I am glad you all are feeling better now. I hope the weather will be better next Monday so the girls will not catch a cold.

VintageVicki said...

Pretty dress on a very pretty little model.

Thought about you this morning when I heard the news about the quake. Hope it hasn't affected you? Looking at the map it seems to be quite a way from you??

Sewmancer said...

A seriously cute, sweet dress. I kinda want one myself :)

magpie chic said...

Gorgeous dress Sarah. Sooo glad it didn't end up as a pillow case.
Yay for spring blossums. They chase away the winter bugs just with their mere presence I think!!Jacqui

Anonymous said...

Yes, she IS really PRETTY in that dress !! Great job as always...
I hope you are all well.
hugs:Manka