Monday, May 9, 2016

DIY: A Coloring Book Dress

Factiod: I'm a super awesome starter of stuff. I'm a super miserable finisher of said stuff. 

Don't believe me? Just ask my mama. Every time I chat with her, she'll begin every other sentence with, "Hey, did you ever finish...?", "Whatever happened to that one thingie you started?", "When are you gonna get that whatchamacallit done?!" 
On those rare occasions when I do FINALLY finish a UFO (UnidentiFied Object), to the rest of the world, it looks like I just pulled a project outta thin air. Many folks have asked me how I manage to "get so much accomplished" and have commented that I "must have more hours in the day." Y'all. I'm seriously one of the most slacker-tastic peoples you'll ever know. I just happen to start many a-thing and, randomly, when the wind blows sideways outta my butt, I finish them. 

Case in point: This Coloring Book Dress!
I picked up this fab fabric from IKEA back in October (for $7.99 a yard, foolz!). This is my second dress made from heavy IKEA fabric (check out the first) and I gotta say, I'm totes hooked. Not only are the designs great and the prices right but the fabric...THE FABRIC...is simply perf for making a circle skirt. 

But I'm ahead of myself, as usual. Let's back track to the coloring of the fabric:
This year, more than any other, it seems I have kids that finish at different rates. Some that work FOR-EVERNESS on any and everything and others that zip right along. As a slow worker, I always allow those kids who need it all the time in the world (to a fault, perhaps). As for the Zippies, as they're known, if their quality is up to snuff, then I allow them to do some early-finisher activities: blocks, dry erase boards, games, books, painting the occasional mural. Or, in this case, coloring on a giant piece of fabric with fabric markers!
Here are my kindergarten friends deep in conversation and coloring. When I came over to snap a pic, the wee one on the right was explaining to the dude in the middle: "Mrs. Stephens can sew clothes. She's making this into a dress." When this was met with a Nuh-uh! we chatted a pinch about how clothing is made. I showed the kids dress patterns and even took some votes on which pattern I should follow. In the end, I did a mash-up of several patterns, as is my nature. 
By the way, these are the makers we used. They seemed to do well on the coarse fabric and held their color after one good washing. Since the kids had walked all over the fabric, it was in need of a cleaning.
When I got the fabric home and washed it, I sat on it for some time, trying to decide which pattern to use. Like I said, in the end, I decided upon a mashup. Now that I have a plethora of dresses under my sewing belt, I know what I really like to wear: a circle skirt, a cinched waist and BOWS! Anything with bows!
Having just finished my circle skirt at Anna Maria's very own shop Craft South, I felt comfortable using this pattern for the skirt. 
For the bodice, I opted to go the Butterick-route (despite my occasional HATRED for Butterick patterns, ahem) only because, you guessed it, BOWZ. 
If that there pattern looks kinda-sorta familiar, it's because I made this lil number from it last summer (ooooooh, that reminds me. SUMMER is almost here! I am so looking forward to endless days spent in PJ's and sewing projects). 
And, y'all. That cinched waist I mentioned? I've used this trusty vintage Simplicity 8087 more times than I can count!
The rest of the patterns I could toss but I do love that bold waistband. I'm not in love with the skirt or the 1960's fit of the bodice. For this dress, I did shorten that band about an inch because I didn't want to lose the cute castle design. 
I am pretty pleased with this mashup. I even went so far as to line the bodice with that sweet dotted fabric I used at the waist and the bows. I didn't want the coarse IKEA fabric against my delicately soft porcelain doll like skin, y'all. 
I can't wait to wear it to school this week! It's most definitely a twirling number. And y'all better believe I'll be hitting up IKEA for more fabric soon. Until then!

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22 comments:

  1. Love it! I was waiting to see how it turned out when you shared the post of the kiddos coloring it (but I wasn't gonna hold you to finishing it!--I totally understand about UFO's!!). Looks lovely--thanks for sharing! Mrs. P @ CreateArtWithMe.blogspot.com

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    1. The kids have been asking about it for MONTHS! I can't wait to wear it this week :)

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  2. my mind is blown. i want to disguise myself as a small child and be in your class!!!!

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    1. My mind is blown every time I see what you've created!

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  3. Anonymous5/10/2016

    Nobody else would have thought of that! You will be those children's most Favourite Teacher Ever! Dress looks amazing. Selina

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    1. Selina! Thank you for your kind words. I know that I'm the craziest teacher as they inform me on the daily! xo!

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  4. This is so amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!

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  5. So I have ZERO sewing skills (I've dabbled, but need more practice). I would love to make more circle skirts, since I'm notorious for wearing a high waisted circle skirt with combat boots and my jean jacket at school. Any suggestions on a super easy pattern, that happens to be plus size? It'd be so cool to wear my students artwork!!!

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    1. Circle skirts are SUPER DUPER easy. There are a couple of catches: You need very wide fabric. Like, shower curtain wide. In fact, using a cotton shower curtain isn't a bad idea (I've done it!). Target has cute ones. The other catch is this: sewing the hem takes FOREVER because the circle is so stinkin' big. But you can do it...just now, it's gonna take a while at the machine. Not hard, just time consuming. For patterns, I found this one: http://www.joann.com/simplicity-pattern-4188u5-misses--skirts-sz-16-24/11105012.html?promo=20top&gclid=CMfOm6r-0MwCFdcTgQodRBMByA

      Have fun!!

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  6. Bestest artsy fartsy fabulous teacher EVAH! Thanks for being a joy inspiration to the world!
    ^_^

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  7. It's a fabulous dress and such a clever concept! I think you might mean cinched waist tho. Come on, you're a teacher!! Lol!

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    1. UGH! I knew that looked wrong! I'm not-so-secretly the world's worst speller. Always the first to bomb outta the spelling bee's as a kid! Thank you for mentioning it, I made the correction!

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  8. So. Bloomin'. Cool. This dress is just perfection!!!!

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  9. OH my gosh, I love this! And you will always remember this group of kiddos when you wear this! I'll have to get some for my two toddlers to go to town on

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  10. Anonymous5/12/2016

    Absolutely beautiful and what a wonderful heart you have. It certainly shows in the colours of your work. Just love it!

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  11. Beyond adorable - lucky you! I happened to pick up the Graffiti markers at Barnes and Noble a couple weeks ago - now I just need the IKEA fabric. Such a wonderful idea!

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