has anyone ever tried this design, its such a cute idea , but im not sure how strong the sholder loops would be

Hi Chris..(pennifold)...can you please give us a post when you have had a chance to make these lovely dresses? I am still on the fence about the size of the bodice across the chest as it only fits the 5x7 hoop...would love to see a post and pics from you when you have them ready...I know lots of other Cuties would like your first hand comments...Thanks!

3 comments

by pennifold 29 Oct 2012

Hi "dragonflyer", I'll be trying one out tomorrow and will let you all know what I think of them. It looks great and I have Jasana who is 5 and a half years old, Aqualina who will be 3 year in February and Ophelie who will be 3 in April. Love Chris

by pennifold 29 Oct 2012

Sorry I haven't answered sooner, I had eye surgery on Friday and haven't done any sewing till today. Then I had Italian classes this morning and I was on Op Shop duty all afternoon. Got home about 5.30pm - it is now 6.45pm. Love Chris

by dragonflyer 29 Oct 2012

Thanks Chris....hope your eye surgery went well. I have three grand nieces ages 5 down to 1 years old so I am very interested...mostly concerned about the 5x7 inch size for the bodice...that it may be too small...looking forward to seeing and hearing your comments!

Ladies, I'm glad you like the bodices I have designed. First I will say that my granddaughters LOVE their dresses and are still wearing even the first ones I made them over a year and a half ago.

My older granddaughter is in kindergarten and has worn them there on a regular basis.
The dresses have been washed over and over and the shoulders look as good as when they were first made. You do not need to doctor the shoulders for them to hold up.
As to the size of the underarm section, I always recommend that you measure the child to determine what size to use. I provide several sizes. I also state that the underarm pattern runs a little big. Measuring is always a good idea, not only with my patterns, but with any pattern.

My granddaughters have never complained that the dresses are scratchy. However, the child could wear a shirt underneath.

Enlarging the design is likely to produce a bad result because of all the detail. I don't recommend it.

I think this answers the questions I see here.

Please read the description below the design for more details and don't hesitate to contact me through my website, should you have any other questions.

3 comments

by aussiequilter 27 Oct 2012

Thanks so much for your comment Sonia, as I said I didnt want to buy another design if I would not get to use it.Thats why being to ask the question here on Cute is helpful.

by almag 27 Oct 2012

Thankyou so much for that very timely extra advice.
AlmaG.

by sewromantic 27 Oct 2012

You're very welcome. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly if you do have more questions. I don't come here often and just happen to come upon this discussion by chance.

Chris did you get a chance to try the dress yet?

Oooo I'm liking this design, and I trust Sonia's designing. However there seems to be two conflicting post, so I'm curious to see what Chris has to say about it too....

I bought the design this morning, so will try it out soon. Love Chris

2 comments

by dragonflyer 24 Oct 2012

Oh, please keep us posted on what you think...especially the size of the bodice and if it is "scratchy"...also, if you think the bodice size could be increased...I know, so so many questions...Thanks!

by aussiequilter 24 Oct 2012

I will be waiting to see why you think of the design,

It looks likes a nice design, good luck if you do make it.

thanks for your comments drcindyl's, I dont want to wast my money if the design will not be comfy , I only have up to a 8 x8" hoop,Im glad I asked the question first

For any Cutie who has made these little dresses, do you think that the bodice pieces could be enlarged in digitizing software to make the bodice a little wider...more for the 8x8 hoop...without distorting? Sonia has a new "Cross Over Bodice" dress just out and I would like to purchase it...but I read drcindyl's comments and I am a bit leary...Seems like several Cuties have purchased, have not made yet...the scratchy comment is also bothersome...anyone ?

Have you looked at the picture of the dress on her site? Her granddaughters are modeling and look to be about just under 2 and 4 years old. I'm sorry that drcindyl's didn't turn out. The bodice is sized - you just cut the dress longer for an older child, just like any pillow case dress. I have always compared my pattern to something that I already knew fit the child I was making it for. This pattern worked well for me in several sizes. ;)

I have purchased this and made one for my 3 year old. I made a Halloween dress. She did not like it. The bodice only comes in 1 size and you are supposed to adapt the size of the dress by the size of the skirt you attach. I did the armhole pattern for the 4 yr armholes and they were huge and ruined the dress. My daughter looks like she has massive gaping holes under her arm. The bodice is tiny. My husband walked up as I was making it and said "Will that fit her? It looks like it's for an infant!" I put a backing piece on the bodice per instructions but my bobbin threads made the bodice scratchy. I had to beg my daughter to put it on her. She got a lot of compliments at preschool, but wanted to take it off as soon as we got home. I wonder if you can use the enlarge function and make the bodice larger? I am going to try that next. The shoulder loops are strong enough but its a pain to loosen and get it over the childs head and then to retighten. All and all, I am disappointed.

2 comments

by bumblebee 22 Oct 2012

Bumski- are you able to post a pic in projects

by drcindyl 25 Oct 2012

I wish the bodice came big enough that you didn't have to undo the ribbon loops at the shoulders to get it over the child's head.

I bought the bodices a while back and I have faith in Sonia Showalter's work that the dresses will hold up to reasonable play wear. One wouldn't want to have the lacing loops break, of course, but if you are worried about that sew a tab beneath them, holding the front and back together. When I get my little dresses made I'll be trusting the loops to do a good job.... :}
AlmaG.

Thanks girls , I am going to Sydney to mind my 3 youngest grand daughers for a week , I wont get a chance to do any sewing this week.I just dont want to buyany more designs I wont use .

Sonia's designs are usually very true to form and I think that it will most likely be strong enough to outlast the little ones growth period for that item. I love her designs - they always stitch out very well.

I purchased a couple bodices but haven't had time todo-they are so cute
and I trust Sonia

2 comments

by aussiequilter 20 Oct 2012

do you think you will give them a try any time soon?I would love to make some for my 4 year old grand daughter Susannah

by bumblebee 22 Oct 2012

No my life is a wee crazy and no embroidery is getting done- I barely make it to cuties. But would love to see if you do

I love this little dress...Does anyone know if Sonia ever runs a sale on her site?

1 comment

by bumblebee 20 Oct 2012

I think I asked this a while back and the answer was no but one can hope.

That is so cute. I have no grandchildren, one daughter that just got married so "maybe" someday I can try all these cute things. It may be like my sister's grandchildren, they always said..."Gramma, that's just not my style" when she made them things. Kids are too sophisticated these days!

If I can make this anyone can.Any Sonia Showalter design sew out beautifully. I don't even have children but made some for gifts.

It's Sonia Showalter. It's good. ;)

Thanks for the reminder. A beautifull site, I've got rhe rugs to do but this dress is now on my to do list. Jan

I havent sewn the design out , But I have sewn out many from this site they are always perfect , love the designs in the site . Casthy

The loops are very secure and strong. I have just stitched a black spider with the legs the same st as the loops. Had a tug o war with the legs and they did not come apart.
hugs Helen

2 comments

by dragonflyer 20 Oct 2012

I can't visualize the spider with the legs...would love to see a posting...

by moyed 20 Oct 2012

It is NOT perfected yet for DBC. Still working on it. :)

It is beautiful. No I have not tried it but if I were making it I think I would adapt the shoulders to make them a little stronger. Most little girls do more than sit about having their dresses admired...