Working Ahead

Each year I feel like I have an obligation to contribute certain kinds of items for various fundraisers. I suppose we all do! For the past several years, I have made and contributed many Irish Dance AG doll dresses for my daughter’s various Hooley’s. (Irish dance recital/fundraiser) While I still love making the solo dresses for the doll’s, it really is a very small part of what I do, and sometimes …..well almost always….there are children who are crushed when they are not the lucky winner. The parents love the dresses….but I think sometimes they are crushed when they find out how much the dresses cost if they want to purchase one! If you want to see photos of the doll dresses, just search through my flickr albums….they are almost all there.

I decided to do something different this year! After my summer of sundresses, I thought it would be cute to make a big sister, little sister matching sundress set. It may not be the huge hit that the doll dresses are, but it also won’t be the huge disappointment either. I’ve really enjoyed making the sundresses, and by now I can pretty much make one in a day. Usually…..till I met this pattern….

Now I’ve used lots of Simplicity patterns. I use a new one for each dress, because that is what holds my interest….trying something new. But this one only tried my patience!! It is very counterintuitive. It also makes no sense, and could be done so much easier. Being the orderly person I am, I try to follow the sewing directions included. I could see when i looked this one over that something was amiss….but I went along with it thinking that there “must be a reason” for things to be put together in such a backward way. Nope…no reason…..just stupidity! So I’d advise anyone who happens upon this post to steer clear of this particular pattern….it’s a mess.

So here is a picture of the dress….it is not quite final as I am trying to decide on one last detail…..

The final detail is whether or not to include the lace trim at the neckline. I like it, think it brightens up the top of the dress, and is a visual focal point that is a plus. My fashion conscious daughter says ” No Mommy don’t do it!!! It’s old, old, old!!!” I think it will appeal to the exact person who is purchasing tickets to win this dress….the Mom! She thinks only a Grandma would wear something with this lace on it. Mind you it is not cheapo bargain bin lace either, it’s very $$ Venice lace. (Not that she cares!)

So if anyone wants to chime in…leave a comment or drop me an e-mail….I’m open to suggestions. This dress won’t be raffled off until May….but I have open time now….and will not in May, so hence the Working Ahead! Happy New Years to All.