Saturday, September 18, 2010

The patchwork dress.

I guess I've had the idea of making a quilt kicking around in the back of my head for a while now. I've got lots of bits of gorgeous vintage sheet fabric and more than enough inspiring bloggy photos. So yesterday afternoon, when I had a few hours to sew I thought it was time to get started.

I ripped (sorry) up lots of 2.5 inch strips, over locked the sides and then spent AGES sewing them back together again.

Oh my goodness you quilters are a patient lot.

At this stage it was time to pick up the girls, do dinner and bath time and bed.

This morning I looked at it and knew that it was meant to be a dress. A mixy-matchy, patchwork dress. The quilt would have to wait.

I think it is about a size 5/6.
I was planning on selling it in my online store/market stall but to be honest, the skirt took HOURS and I have no idea how much I would charge.

And oops, I sewed the Everything But The Thread bit upside down.

Thanks to Candace for the vintage bits of fabric.
Thanks to Fii for the zip.
Thanks to Gina for the doily.
Thanks to Lizzie's Mum for the pink bit of fabric.
Thanks to the op shop fairies for the bias binding and the little girl pillow case.

Oh and if by chance you wanted to have a go at my crochet ric-rac tutorial but only speak French, you'll be happy to know that Christine has translated it. Click over here for French ric-rac.

Have a happy weekend y'all. XX

49 comments:

  1. Such a fun little play dress. I think the upside down ribbon makes it that much more unique. Besies, the wearer can read it when she looks down!

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  2. Honestly Kate, it is beautiful! And absolutely meant to be that dress. It's priceless really.
    I have a hard time with the selling of some children's clothes, the stuff people ask me for is the stuff that has so much time and craft put into it, that a reasonable price would probably shock them. Still, I mostly do it for the love!

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  3. Love it . Always nice to see crochet doilies put to good use. The up side down writing is a perfect touch I think. Cherrie

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  4. It is fantastic! I love the doily!

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  5. Mwahahahaha... "If you are reading this but can only read French..." ;) Awesome.

    Gosh that dress is awesome Sweets - and I am impressed with your speed, I know it took you ages, but it would have taken me WEEKS!

    Bravo, that's all I can say. (..oh, I can also say that I love the ribbon upside down!)

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  6. Cute cute cute!!! I love the fabric stripes!! Your creativity never ceases to amaze me!

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  7. Love it and I love that it's so 'everybody's'......
    Lizzie
    xxx

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  8. So cute!
    I had that little girl sheet set when I was a little girl.
    Have a great weekend.

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  9. LOVE the patchworky dress!!
    Au revoir!

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  10. It's so sweet:) All that pretty fabric quilted together looks beautiful. It will be one lucky girls special dress. xo

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  11. How can you part with it !
    Surely Miss Pepper could squeeeeze into it for a little while :)
    Love the contributions notes at the end - gives you a sense of a real old fashion patchwork - community style.

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  12. It's absolutlely adorable and I quite like the upside down bit. I hope you find a deserving place for it, sold or at home. The hard work shows!

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  13. totally loving this especially the doily overlay...gorgeous!!

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  14. totally meant to be a dress. Love the doily top and the stripey bottom!You're a whiz. xo
    Ps I like the label upside down, it means the wearer of the dress can read it!

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  15. Oh, Kate. Everytime I see one of your little "Everything But The Thread" numbers I get all inspired to sew. And since I've just settled the family in front of a DVD with some popcorn - I'm going to turn on my machine and get sewing! Thankyou :).

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  16. Oh, Kate. It in love- it is divine!

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  17. Very, very gorgeous! Whoever the wearer will be is a very lucky girl!

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  18. wowzers you've done a fantastic job!

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  19. Love it Kate. Patchwork is a rather crazy technique isn't it!
    Here's one I tried two years ago. It was a bit bulky because I lined it but still cute. Its a crazy Mum tutorial. http://narioka.blogspot.com/2008/10/couldnt-resist.html

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  20. It's lovely Kate, full of the promise of spring. I think you are probably like me, the design and making is very exciting, but you only want to make one. Perhaps pattern design is the way to go and then sell them.
    Hope you have a glorious weekend.
    Jak x

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  21. Love the quilt that is actually a dress I sometimes make confused clothing too and upside down is good! Ooh la la on the french ric rac, exciting.

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  22. So cute! Loving all the beautiful well-loved bits and pieces that have gone into it (and the love that has obviously gone into the making of it). I'd have a hard time putting a price on it too!

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  23. Your dresses just keep getting better and better. That must have taken ages - it is beautiful Kate.x

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  24. I was thinking the exact same thing about quilters when I was cutting up squares a few weeks ago, only to sew them all back together again!
    Such a gorgeous little dress.

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  25. Gorgeous. Just absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful selection of colours and prints.

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  26. Beautiful dress! Did you do your label on your printer?? Thats about the size of the quilt I would make he he I am not much of a seamstress :-)

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  27. What a wonderful gorgeous patchwork dress! I am sure that someone will buy it and you can charge whatever you think it is worth since you put so much time and effort into it. Anyways, it is a Kate original, no-one will have one like it!

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  28. Oh Wowee its gorgeous, you really are very very talented.
    Em xxx

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  29. I have 3 words for your first quilt - LARGE BLOODY SQUARES! So much quicker than strips if you want a quicker one.
    I love the dress - so gorgeous. If only it was a 3/4 and I would snap it up for the Popster. Really so lovely.
    If you are in French does that mean you can eat glorious French pastries all week - I think so.
    PS> I would happily sew you a top if you wanted, but flat out till early next year. I love making them but don't want to own 300 of them so I am happy to make them slowly.

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  30. It is such a sweet dress. I'm with you about patchwork, it takes sooo much effort and time. The end results are gorgeous, but I just don't have the patience, I want quick results. Again, it is lovely and one of a kind.

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  31. Such an adorable dress - too good to sell, keep it for Miss Pepper - she'll fit it in no time.
    I had a go at patchwork strips this week (just for a Christmas stocking) as I love the effect so much - sooooo slow though. But yes, I plan to do it again. x

    Blossom on the trees - so nice to see, our leaves are starting to drop here, I miss them already.

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  32. Hi Kate,
    just discovered your blog and really like it.
    Funny, haven't met many girls who are as relentlessly crafy as me....kids, house and all the rest, but just can't not knit or sew....
    well done and good luck
    Alex

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  33. Gorgeous, gorgeous dress! I always love spotting my fabrics in your dresses - I have a whole sheet of the little girl pattern, but I have no idea what to do with it yet.

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  34. Great work on the dress, I love the patchwork skirt. I have a large doily that I have been imagining ending up as part of a bodice to a top for myself so its interesting to see your work here - as always inspirational. :)

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  35. wow Kate! This hard work came out so so lovely!!! I want it for myself =D

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  36. This dress is so beautiful and vintage looking! I love it! You are very talented!!
    Ellie x

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  37. love it Kate. Another everything but the thread winner! x

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  38. Your wee dress is gorgeous Kate! Wish I'd had one like it when I was little. Although I did have a wonderful frock that my mum made for me out of curtains. We were church mice don't you know. Wonder what happened to it. If only I'd known that I'd grow up to LUUV such vintage lovlinesses. It had cherries all over it. Have a fab week. x

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  39. the dress is so gorgeous Kate and so is your latest creation for little Pepper in the post above. The last photo of Pepper from behind just so looks like a little Kate! I haven't been commenting a lot lately I haven't even been visiting many blogs but I want to tell you that you and your blog inspire me everyday and cheer me up too if I need it xx thank you

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  40. Kate, this is so gorgeous. I love it and I love the upside down label. Just perfect. It's hard to put a price on something like this.

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  41. This is the cutest little dress I think I've ever seen! Makes me want to do something with my stash of vintage pillow cases and linens. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  42. I am a beginner to crochet and I just came toknow your sight and the ricrac,I tried it ,it is very easy for a beginner like me .Thank u for sharing.My blog address
    http://umacheenu.blogspot.com

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Kate XX

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