It has been over 35 years since I have made a dress using a pattern. I have made little things such as little money bags for VBS one year and a pillow for Cora Ann's little rocking chair. I learned to sew after taking classes while in junior high and watching my grandmother and mother sew.
Mom had a "treadle" Singer sewing machine which gave my legs a workout along with allowing me to adjust the speed of the needle. Then she upgraded to an electric machine, and that was an experience!! When I first started teaching back in 1973, I stayed with my aunt and uncle who lived, as some would say, "in the middle of no where!" I loved it! I bought myself a sewing machine, and when I got my pay, I would buy material, sewing notions, and patterns. I could make two or three new outfits for work for what it would cost to buy one already made outfit from the department store!
Once I got into teaching, the work required of me to do my job increased. I had lesson plans which were needed to be completed; papers had to be graded and recorded; inservice was required after school; and I had to take graduate classes at Marshall to upgrade my certificate and to continue being certified to teach. After teaching elementary for eight years, I decided I needed a change and went to the middle school level teaching English/Reading. Whoa . . . the work I then had doubled! Thus ended any free time in which I could really sew and enjoy it! My machine was put away and the spiders had a new place to build their webs! I eventually sold my machine!
About a month ago, a dear friend ask me if I could make her twin girls a "pillow case" dress. Hmmmm . . .a pillow case dress???? I had never heard of this, but I told her I would do a little research (thanks to the Internet) and see how they were made and would get back to her! I kept thinking, "How hard could a pillow case dress be to make?" and after looking at the patterns on line, I decided they would be sooooo EASY! I contacted my friend telling her I would use her girls as my first attempt at getting back into sewing!! Their first dresses would be on me! :)
While she was pregnant, she and her husband referred to the baby as "monkey;" then they found out they were going to have twins!!!! The girls were premature and had a rough start, but are doing wonderfully now! I went to the material department at our local store to browse for material!!! I came across the perfect material for the girls . . . . material with monkeys all over them! Since the girls are identical, many people will buy them identical outfits, but I decided to make them something alike, but different.
I dug my new machine out of storage (I bought a new Singer about ten years ago) and set it up in our spare bedroom (David's bedroom). While spending days with Mom, I washed the material and cut out the two pillow case dresses. I was ready to start sewing when I got back home!! I have made five dresses in the last two weeks with more being planned!!! My nieces are getting some for their girls, as well as I have made a few for Cora Ann! The person who came up with this pattern . . . . had a great idea for a super easy dress. Depending on the material you choose and the use of extra sewing notion, you can have a play dress or a fancy dress . . . let your imagination run wild!
I am sharing some pictures of three of my first pillow case dresses!
The pattern, material, pins, pinking shears, sewing basket with thread, ribbons, and tape measure . . .
. . the Singer was placed on the sewing cabinet that holds the sewing machine which belonged to Bill's grandmother . . . I love the "leaf" that folds out giving me more room . . . .
. . . . the top has been sewn to the bottom of the dress . . . notice how they are alike, but yet different . . .
. . .sewing a binding around the armhole . . . fold the material under 1/4 of an inch . . . then fold under again to make the binding . . . 
. . . the picture above has the "dots" as the top while the one below has the monkeys on top . . . 
. . . dress # 1 completed with green ribbon used as the ties on the shoulders . . . 
. . . dress #2 completed with brown ribbon used as the ties . . . 
. . . I had difficulty making the hat that was included in the pattern . . . my SIL came up with the idea of me making a bandanna . . . using a kerchief that belonged to Toby, I made a head kerchief that was reversible . . . 
. . .the material for dress # 3 . . . 
. . . ribbon was used to cover the seam and add a little "fancy" to the dress . . . 
. . . dress # 3 completed with the brown ribbon used for the shoulders!
This dress also has a matching kerchief that is reversible and was made for a very special little girl's birthday! :):)
The hat pattern that has given me a hard time will be tackled again . . .once I get my other dresses made! The girls will get a matching "floppy" hat . . . later . . . I hope!
