Ice Cream Family Reunion Dress

I love this dress!! I wasn't sure during those late nights of sewing but it was worth it. :) Ansley picked out the fabric (from the lisette line) and I used the Oliver+S Family Reunion Pattern. It's a size four and it's little wide but the length is perfect. My favorite parts are the yellow contrast hem facing (which I'm totally going to do on other things), the multicolored topstitching near the hem, the pintucks (which I spent 45 minutes marking with a white pencil but didn't show up the next day- I thought it was just b/c it was so dark but no, I probably should've gone to bed ha), and the buttons.

The Dress of Many Colors

I had to make another shirt dress and this one is perfect for a cloudy day or a hot summer day. I like it. I used the Lisette Traveler Dress Pattern (simplicity 2246) and some rainbow little Lisette striped poplin that I picked up for 75% off. This was my first try with the pattern and I didn't bother trying to line up the repeat of the stripes.

What I like: the fit (I cut out a 14 but kind of cheated by using a smaller seam allowance in the side seams of the bodice and eliminating the darts at the waist in the front), the shape, the ten different thread colors I used on the buttons, the finished cuffs on the sleeves and the placket down the center, the pockets I added

What I don't like: The pockets are too low! One nice thing is they don't add any bulk to my waist. ha. I couldn't figure out how to finish the bottom edge of the collar. I think it was supposed to be enclosed (?) but I was off. Also, it doesn't line up exactly on the bottom, which is my fault, not the pattern's.

I bought enough of this fabric to make another version (and I know quilting cotton isn't exactly the best for apparel) but I'm not sure if it'll be too thick? I'm also still thinking about making a version of this dress but it will require a lot of planning with the different pieces. I'm wondering if the button placket will drive me crazy lining it up.





Look at that nice a line!






Linked here and here.

Independence Day!

We started off our day really early- like 4:15am early. We drove to Driggs (again) to watch the hot air balloons. The sunrise was beautiful and balloons were pretty. I thought there were going to be more but that's okay. There were six on the field and an additional three that were launched elsewhere.





















We took naps in the afternoon (though Little Miss decided to fight for a few hours first) and had a barbeque with friends.



I added a little bit less cocoa to Martha Stewart's Devil's Food Cupcakes recipe (in an effort to figure out how to eventually adapt the recipe for a yellow cake version- the verdict- a little bit moister than I liked, despite adding extra flour. I might try again) and used the frosting from the Cinnabon Style Cinnamon Rolls.

Followed by more fireworks (I used tips from adorama.com (which I didn't read until just now when I was looking for a link to the source) via Lindsay) and I'm super in love with my camera. :)





















































Love this country!