Sunday, April 19, 2009

Nerd Paradise

I did it! I smocked a dress! This was super easy (once I loosened my bobbin tension a tiny bit and figured out what I was doing). It's done with elastic thread in the bobbin and regular thread on the top.

Katelyn and I were having a discussion (I think it was you Katelyn..maybe it was Lizy..) about how it could possibly scrunch up and gather if you're not pulling the elastic while sewing. Well I'll tell you how it works! After you sew the rows, you wet that area and then iron on top of that. It shrinks up the elastic and creates more puckers! It already gathers slightly when sewing because that's just the nature of the elastic, it pulls on it's own. But the ironing is what really does it.


My gathers go at a slight angle so I'll have to fix that for next time.
I did 8 rows of elastic and it's a size 4..sort of..

Fabric is Recess by American Jane for Moda or something like that.

The straps are just natural colored twill tape.

The dress came from this book. Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross. The same genius who did the Mermaid line (also the mushrooms, Gnomes, rabbits and race cars lines, etc.) . Book, twill tape, fabric and elastic thread were all purchased from the store.

Lego land Germany. It was Star Wars day.

We're not sure if these are paid workers wearing costumes or just people showing up in costume walking the grounds. They were everywhere! Geek heaven I think is what Jon called it:) We should have put Emily in her Leia costume.

A parade.

An exhibit of Star Wars Lego's.


12 comments:

Corinnea said...

I LOVE IT!!! I want try too. I could do a top for me.....

Fun day at Lego land!

Nadine said...

Hey, I must be a nerd! I LOVE Star Wars, well, only the originals. The newer ones were spoiled by the guy who couldn't act to save his life!

Cute dress! I remember having tube tops that were elastic-y like that when I was a kid; they itched like crazy...Hope your version is better!

Jennifer said...

Didi, we love Star Wars too! I just meant the dressing up and walking around with people asking to pose with you and take photos must be nerd heaven:)

Emily appeared to really like the dress, she wore it all day. But You know how kids are. One day she likes it, the next it's itchy. You used to sew clothing too, right? I think I remember you saying "never again". Ever get the urge?

Jennifer said...

Corinnea: make one for youself!! it would be sooo cute with a little tee under it!

Katelyn R. said...

love the dress. I don't remember having the conversations with you... but then again i could have. neat trick though. I didn't realize that that was how it was done.

lizy said...

Love It!!!!! Yes, It was me who had the conversation with you. I will definitely have to try it. I want to make a top :) looks like y'all had fun at Lego LAnd :)

Jayery said...

I love the dress!!! Its beautiful and it has polka dots cant get any better than that. Oh wait Emily is wearing it so it does get better. Ava is so cute in the pic behind Emily,and in polka dots too.

Mary said...

Man, you never stop amazing me with your creations. That is a really cute dress.

My military man and me plus 3. said...

I love it!!! I love the fabric and the smocking and the ribbon, I love it all!!

Mary H. said...

The dress is sooo adorable! I used to love shirts like that when I was younger. Infact one of my favorites was a peasley top that was all in scrunchie elastic like that, and it had a plaid design w/ cherries all over it, and matching puff short-sleeves that could be worn on or off the shoulders.
It would be cool to see you make something like that now that you've mastered a dress.
And it looks like ya'll had a pretty good time at LegoLand eventhough it rained. It rained while I was in Czech too :( but that didnt stop me! :D It would've been so cool/cute if Emily had worn her Leia costume. It would be like her first geeky start wars convention Hahahahah.

Jennifer said...

thanks everyone! the support is awesome:)

kms handmade said...

How on earth did I miss this post????? I love the dress! It's so adorable! And I love legoland too. Don't tell Rob we missed Star Wars day! OOOOOHHHHH!!!! THAT explains why he said he wished he was there the other day! I didn't bother to ask him WHY! Hehe!

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