Alexis' First Project and Sewing Machine

The gods have decided to teach me patience.  I am teaching Alexis to sew.  I got her a machine from and estate sale a couple of months ago.  After about an hour of adjusting and playing with the machine it was ready to go.  I had her cut, lay, and pin the pattern out over the last three days.  She decided to make pajama pants.  It's a Simplicity "Learn to Sew" pattern, #3553.  It is a modern pattern.  She chose some striped flannel from my stash and we had just enough.  The machine is a 1975 Singer Fashion Mate Model 360.  It had several different feet and fashion discs for decorative stitching.  It's also mounted in a beautiful table.  Alexis is doing rather well on straight stitches and is working on curves.  She did an outstanding job pinning the pattern to the flannel, she did all of it by herself.   I've had her practicing on scraps before she starts each section.  I'm happy she has taken such an interest in sewing and wanting to learn.

And We Have Fold-Over Elastic!

I am putting said elastic on as I'm typing this (in between using the sewing machine of course).  It's fairly easy to work with.  I tried taking pictures but my camera is not picking up the details or taking a clear shot of it.  A hook and eye on the ends and Alexis should have her slip before dinner.  I'll start work on the crinoline tomorrow probably.  I've been resizing a Butterick Pattern from the 50's this weekend while waiting on the elastic to come in.  I've never sized anything before.  I surprised myself.  I'm now on to the alteration phase of the project for the bodice.  I still have to size the skirt up which will be a massive undertaking since it is not cut in sections just one huge half circle that is supposed to be cut on a fold.  This dress will bring alot of firsts for me.  This will also be the first time I took on a project with so many buttonholes.  Usually one buttonhole is more than enough for me.  

The Slip for Alexis' Dress

I had to grade the slip up from a size 6 to a semi size 8 for the slip.  I added and 1 inch to the sides and two in length to fit the dress.  It is sized perfectly.  I am waiting on some fold over elastic to come in the mail to finish the slip.  I have all of the crinoline parts graded and cut out, just waiting on the foldover elastic for that too.  I'm making both the slip and the crinoline, you know how finicky ten year old girls can be.  This way she has the option to wear either or both underneath.  I added ruffles to the slip just for extra cuteness.

Alexis' Dress

I'm taking a break from my Vogue Dress for now.  Yesterday I worked on a dress for my daughter, Alexis.  I'm very happy with the way it turned out.  I used a McCall's pattern from 1959, #5264, for a simple dress.  My daughter is VERY petite for her age, she will be 10 in July, this pattern is a size 7, I did not grade this pattern in any way and it fit perfectly with a little extra room to move.  I swear I DO feed my children very well and they are kept clean and healthy, shortness just runs in the family.  I used the cherry fabric I ended up with a few weeks back.  She has a cherry printed headband that she is wearing in her hair that you can't see very well in the photo.  Of course being herself, she added her own touches to the ensemble with the tights.  I will be making a crinoline for her out of white organza and possibly satin(?), I'll have to see what I have in my stash for the yoke and slip portion.  I should begin work on the crinoline tonight or tomorrow.  She and her brother were clowning around so I decided to use the time for a photo op for my personal collection.  We are also introducing Alley, the Australian Cattle Dog and perpetual puppy.