Polka Dots for Two Little Girls

My son Jeff just left after a 10 day visit with Riley and Poppy. I feel a bit bereft today although it's awfully nice to get back to normal and my DH and I have gone back to  enjoying our latest Netflix obsession, "Heartland" If you love horses ( or even if you don't)  and want a really good and wholesome series to watch, you won't be disappointed with this one. Every episode is so good and enjoyable !

Before , their arrival, I started little dresses for my two little cuties. I tried for the first time shirring fabric by using elastic thread in the bobbin of my machine. I loved this process and can't wait to use it again..

I didn't use patterns for these dresses but only guessed how wide to shir and luckily I got it right. I started by using a picot edge finish for the upper bodice .

Since I use push button sewing, I was able to let both Riley and Poppy help sew the back seams and I then finished the hems and made the shoulder straps. My little sweeties were so happy with their dresses that Riley wore hers three days in a row and Poppy insisted on wearing hers four days!

The fabric is  a coral rayon /lycra and therefor very comfy for active little girls. I used a straight stitch with a stitch length of 3 for the shirring.

So here they are, Nana's little sweethearts.

And with face painting done by Nana. ( I may have discovered a new skill !!)

Riley had a hard time to leave me this morning and was on the verge of tears as I was buckling her booster seat when my darling Bob came up with a solution. A $10 bill! What kid doesn't love money !!

Now it's on to sewing for my 18 year old grand-daughter before she leaves for university in Vancouver. I doubt tears can be averted in this case, at least for me!! Sigh!!

Happy Sewing to all of you!