Candy Cane Striped Skater Dresses

Yes, I know, it's a wee bit early for Christmas stuff. I apologize for contributing in any way to the phenomenon of the Christmas onslaught beginning before Halloween, but I wanted to make some matching dresses for my nieces for their holiday card photos, so a bit of forethought was necessary.

I had some great red and white striped knit in my stash, care of the Real Martha (meaning it's old-school, maybe from the early '80s) that I thought would be perfect for Christmas dresses. Combined with the Kitschy Coo Skater Dress pattern, which worked out so well for my nieces earlier this year: Christmas-worthy (but still wearable in a non-Christmas setting) candy cane-esque dresses!  They've got a bit of a Where's Waldo feel to them, but nothing a cute kid can't pull off!

I love this pattern... so cute and so quick! I can cut and sew one together in about an hour if I've got everything set up.  Not much to say about construction. Like last time I made it, I did the neckline a bit different than in the instructions, inserting it in the round. Otherwise, by the book.

Can't wait to see them on the girls!!

Skater Twins!

Matching dresses for the girls made from Kitschy Coo's Skater dress pattern (the little girl version of the top I made a few months ago): good stuff!  Making the adult version made me want to make the child version, and now, having made the child version, I want another go at the Lady Skater.  Putting it on the list...

I used this soft pastel knit fabric that I stole from Martha's stash.   It definitely looks like an '80s-era purchase with the paint splatter effects and pastel colors.  It's not something I would likely purchase myself, but still very cute and pretty (and free! Thanks, Martha!).  I've got approximately 9 miles more of it, so this is not likely to be the last you'll see of it.

Construction wise, the only change I made was to sew the neck-band together as well as the shoulders before attaching them, as that's the way I've done it successfully in the past.  

The little dresses look so cute!  Can't wait to see them on the girls... and I'm sure they can't wait for the warmer weather that will allow them to wear the dresses!

Lady Skater Peplum Top

It's like a peplum parade 'round these here parts, eh?  Here's my latest peplum: a wearable muslin of Kitschy Coo's Lady Skater dress done as a peplum top according to her instructions.

I made this top from some crazy '80s print knit fabric Martha dug out of the basement for me (thanks, Martha!)... I'm pretty sure George Michael, Duran Duran or someone of their ilk had a t-shirt made from the same fabric back in the day. I also got to use my new twin needle (double thanks, Martha!) for the hem, which worked like a charm.

I think I dig the pattern, although after a week of wins, it's slightly disappointing. I think it just needs some size changes to work for me, though. I'm definitely going to make it again, but go down a size and hopefully get the alterations correct.  I certainly love the neckline: super flattering!  The top is really comfy and more exciting than a regular t-shirt.

Changes I made to the pattern:

• I cut the skirt to 11 inches from the waist line for the peplum and then slashed and spread it about 4.5 inches to make it more drapey (maybe too drapey? yes, much too drapey.).  
• After putting the top together, I realized the waist hit me in a terribly unflattering spot, so I shortened the bodice by about 2 inches.  
• I was sorta between sizes, so I went for the larger size to be safe, but I think next time I'll go down a size- this was a bit loose in the high bust under the armpits and in the waist, although I think the waist got a bit stretched out when I unpicked it to shorten the bodice... perhaps a run through the dryer would help shrink things back to size?  Ha ha, I jest.  I don't have a dryer here in Bangkok and you can tell because all of my clothes are super stretched out from hang drying for 2 plus years. 
• I didn't follow the directions for the neckband: I sewed the shoulders together, sewed the neckband in a circle and then eased it in successfully.