Thursday, March 17, 2011

The tale of a blue dress.

Last Friday I bought this pile of old aprons and table cloths from the church fete for $3.50. The blue appliqued table cloth on the top cost me $2.00. The lovely lady who sold it to me was apologetic, but said it came with six napkins so she just had to charge me that much.

The farm boys have been away at a chain saw course all week, so I've been Farmer Kate helping Farmer Bren out with all the chores and there hasn't been a lot of time left over to sew.

But I have been desperate to play with the blue table cloth and this morning I did.

First I drew a back, a front, two sleeves and a ruffle on the fabric.

Then I cut the pattern pieces out.

I over locked the seams.

Then I pinned them right sides facing.

I sewed the seams together.

I threaded elastic, I added a love heart tag, I ruffled and I hemmed.

And now I'm going to pop it in my shop.

I am really starting to stress about the tiny amount of clothing we'll each be able to take on our caravan adventure in a few months, so I purposely made this dress a size that wouldn't fit any of my girls.

I hope your Thursday is sunny and creative.

Oh and I'm over at Maxabella Loves today too. Check it out here.

Have fun out there.

Love Kate X

59 comments:

  1. Oh i just love it Kate!! You would never think that was a table cloth! Sooooo gorgeous!

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  2. Gorgeous! If only I had a little girl.

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  3. I can't believe you whipped that piece of gorgeousness up out of a tablecloth. Just lovely.

    Visiting via Maxabella. :-)

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  4. That is my favourite dress you have made, EVER! Wish it was in my size (you would need a pretty big tablecloth LOL)

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  5. The dress is so pretty Kate! I love the flowers on it too.

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  6. You are so clever! I love the dress.

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  7. WOW!! That dress is just amazing! and from a tablecloth too! Are the napkins just as cute? You could add a matching headband from one of them!!

    So talented!!! :)

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  8. Gorgeous dress - I love the colour and it's pretty girlie at the same time!

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  9. Very cute, and bit gypsy - love it!

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  10. you make it all seems so easy.
    the dress is beautiful.
    l
    x

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  11. love it kate, and love the way your mind works. i hear you speaking caravan. i always overpack

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  12. looks a treat kate, so pretty!
    Owwwh the elimination process will be a tricky one I bet! :)

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  13. You really are a clever girlie. And apparently very productive early in the morning too! I am off to have another coffee and contemplate your productivity with a lie down.

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  14. If I wasn't so broke right now I would so snap that dress up, love, love, love.
    Your amazing sewing, mothering and farm hand!

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  15. I love how you 'see' something so beautiful out of an old tablecloth and to then recreate that vision. Very inspiring Kate! Just love it. xxx

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  16. Kate, it's lovely! I enjoyed all your "process" photos too...

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  17. Love that fabric! It makes for the most lovely dress Kate. You've done a great job. I can see why you had to remove the temptation from adding it to the girls closet. Though I'm not sure I would been able to be as strong myself! :)

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  18. First off, what a bargain! Do i glimpse seersucker on the bottom of the pile too?
    Secondly, what a completely gorgeous little dress.

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  19. and just like that, its mine! well my daughters....

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  20. Such pretty images to brighten my day. I love the dress. Hooray for cute tablecloths, $2 bargain!
    Hope your thursday is wonderful. x

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  21. Poo! Just as well it was too big as it's sold already! Gorgeous honey.

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  22. Oh wow! I love it, Kate. Just divine :) Kx

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  23. $3 what a tragedy!! ...glad you could give it a super new life. Well done.

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  24. and the heart pins too - I am beginning to realise my new addiction to sewing comes with so many "extras" like nice pins ha ha. Not a cheap hobby if you let it get out of hand. I think $3 tablecloths are part of the answer as a starting point. My little sisters wedding dress was a table cloth. White (of course) with beautiful coloured embroidery

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  25. I love that you repurpose vintage treasures into such gorgeous pieces...this dress is absolutely divine.

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  26. I went to buy it and it is gone. I may never recover.

    It was blue. sigh
    it had embroidery. sigh
    It was Busys size. sigh

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  27. Happy to hear that the sweet dress is already gone as I'm not sure how Little Monkey was going to react with a red body cast on and a beautiful blue girl's dress as well... Just as well really.

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  28. Hi Kate
    The dress is just gorgeous!
    I'm hearing you about the clothing situation. We just went camping on the weekend and everyone is allowed one bag of clothing and that's it! If it doesn't fit too bad. But we plan to do a 3 month trip next year not sure how that is going to work.
    Kylie

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  29. Love this one, I think my favourite bit is the bits of embroidery on the bottom ruffle!

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  30. TWO DOLLARS!!!!!
    Why don't people value such beautiful things like they should?
    Gorgeous dress.
    Andi x

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  31. Stop it!!!!! You make us mere mortals, who wouldn't even *think* of doing that with a table cloth, feel soooooo inadequate :-)
    Just kidding - but it is about the most divine thing I've seen in ages...will pop to your shop to check the sizes me thinks!
    xxxCate

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  32. That is just so lovely Kate! Your dresses always make me long for a little girl...x

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  33. Lovely blog...so glad I chased it up following Daylesford Makers Market...I started reading and couldn't stop, it's great to link up with like minds. Now I'm inspired to get to work and learn more to make my little blog at buntyandsars.blogspot.com a bit more special:)

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  34. Oh Kate that is beautiful. I've bought some old table cloths and you have really inspired me now!

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  35. it's stunning! might be my favourite of your dresses so far.
    :)

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  36. Kate, I just found you via Maxabella... you are so incredibly clever! I'm a wannabe crafter who is insanely jealous of everyone crafty!

    Angela x

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  37. Ah, yes - space is a problem when you're a prolific crafter (and enough days in the week to wear the things you make for you and yours!).
    I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with a daughter who isn't fond of wearing what mum makes (I've read a bit below - I'm waaaay out of the blogging loop at present).
    LOVE the dress!

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  38. Kate that is really very beautiful. Well done. I wish I was little so I could wear it.

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  39. lovely work - aren't those apologies oh so sweet! I want to hug the ladies every time - your hand-holding photo in the next post is something special too.

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  40. This is so darling Kate...Absolutely love the dark blue color..And the crafty way you made sure you couldn't keept it :)

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  41. It's just so gorgeous Kate, it's utterly everything and more a dress should be. And it looks so comfy too xo

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  42. so gorgeous! Makes me want one in my size!

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  43. Hi Kate, new follower here, I found you over at Maxabella's and boy I'm glad I did.
    This creation is just the most beautiful thing ever. I LOVE what you have done with the table cloth. If I had a little girl, I would so want this dress for her... I'd like it anyway as a matter of fact.
    Gorgeous photography also :o)

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  44. It's beautiful. You've made perfect use of the table cloth.

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  45. That dress is divine Kate - such a unique beauty! I hope it went to a lovely home....

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  46. Love it!!!! it is so beautiful... I want one too.

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  47. Kate you are so super creative!!
    I wish I could sew as well as you, and have the time to do it!! You are getting me very motivated to tackle some more projects!!
    Ellie........x

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  48. What can I say...nothing new I'm sure...this little dress is divine, you are so clever!

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  49. Beautiful! I just love that blue with bright flowers. And can you seriously do that without using a pattern? Clever!

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  50. Wow, that dress is really beautiful, well done!

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  51. so pretty, and I do love the look of those aprons! I'm on an apron roll at the moment :)

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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