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Introduction |
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What is the need? |
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Patterns |
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Fabrics |
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Sewing tips |
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Finishing Touches |
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Recipients |
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Organizations |
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Dressmakers |
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Photos |
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But I don't sew very well! |
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Getting Started |
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How to contact us |
What pattern should I use?As always, the choice is yours! If you know what you'd like to sew, jump right in. If you need advice, maybe the topics below will help.Pattern companies Most of the big pattern companies have some cute children's patterns: McCall, Simplicity, New Look, Style, Butterick, Neue Mode, even Vogue. Daisy Kingdom produces a line of patterns and fabrics just for little girls with girlish taste, and Simplity distributes the patterns. If you're returning to sewing after a dry spell, look at some of the less familiar companies, too: Burda, Kwik-Sew, and Stretch and Sew. Check some of the sewing magazines for independent pattern companies, too. Styles Jumpers, gathered dresses, shoulder-tie dresses, A-line dresses, you name it. If you like it, a little girl will probably like it, too. Don't forget that the right fabric can make a simple style look wonderful. Try to think of the things that made a dress seem special to you as a child. A pocket? A sash? An applique? Lace on the collar? A matching jacket? Or just that kitty's face in the print? Do the girls want ruffles? Or tailored styles? Or rough-and-ready? The answer seems to be "yes." Sizes Girls' pattern sizes are typically 4 to 16, which might fit a 3-year-old to a 12-year-old, roughly. We have had specific requests for all of these sizes, so any size that you make will definitely be needed. What's easy? One dressmaker's "easy" is another's nightmare, of course. But if you want to make something that doesn't need zippers or buttonholes, try a shoulder-tie dress, like Simplicity 8048 or Kwik-Sew 2701. Many pattern companies mark some of their patterns as "Easy" or "2 Hours." Study the suggested notions on the pattern envelope to see whether buttons or zippers are involved. Also, consider substituting quality snaps for buttons. Snap Source offers lots of colors that can be applied with a hammer and a plastic "tool" that they offer. They actually look pretty professional, even when the One Dress gang use them! |
| "All the sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action." - James Russell Lowell |