Oliver & S Family Reunion Dress...flipped

Recently I came across the term "flip" in connection with patterns. I know about flipping houses but I think it's kind of new with sewing. Taking a pattern and changing it to suit your style - something that's always been done but now has a name! :)  Check out Frances Suzanne who hosts fun monthly "flip this pattern" contests.

My flip came about because I had it in my head that I wanted to make one of the girls dresses a drop waist dress and when my first attempt didn't work out so well I had to try something else. Alisa, hearing the despair in my voice of time running out, mentioned she really liked the Oliver & S Family Reunion Dress. Best impulse buy ever!

Here's my version!

The details:

• I used the size 7 shirt length but took the curve out of the hemline so I could add the gathered skirt to it

• I pleated the pin tucks all the way down the length of the bodice

• Straightened the side seams

• Invisible zip and hook and eye instead of button placket

• Fabrics are all from my local Fabricland 

I love how it turned out!  Of the three dresses this is my favorite and fits her best!

Love this next picture.  I look at it and can hear the giggles :)

The pictures were taken at the botanical gardens in the town where we live.  Developed and maintained by volunteers it's a beautiful place to stroll through!

Tea Party Doll Dress

Saturday found me at home all day with just my two youngest.  Very rare during the summer!  I did some cleaning, some laundry and some baking.  But the best part was the couple of hours in my sewing room.

Deanna saved up for the better part of a year for an American Girl doll (funny b/c we're Canadian) and she finally got it earlier this month.  It's her birthday soon so I wanted to make her doll a dress.  It's the Tea Party Doll Dress from Little Things To Sew by Liesl Gibson.  I made the dress an inch longer than the pattern and skipped the hem facing (it's a doll dress after all) but otherwise I followed the instructions.   I think it turned out pretty well and it was sure great to be in my sewing room again.

The past few weeks

For the past few weeks, Alisa and I have been pretty occupied...

Us and our girls all ready for (Auntie) Karen's wedding!

Alisa's girls looking beautiful as the guestbook attendants

Our Dad giving away his youngest daughter!

The happy couple!!

Deanna and Auntie Karen

Alisa and I gave a little speech to Karen that only her and a few others in the room caught the humor of.  We'll share it with you - I'm sure you'll get it!

Our Dear Sister Karen 

The memory of the day you entered our lives more than 21 years ago is stitched securely in our minds.  You were a tiny 6 lb. honey bun, the last piece in our patchwork family.  You truly were your Sister’s Choice; another girl to balance out all those brothers.  We were thrilled to say the least.

As you grew you became even more fun.  All of your milestones were celebrated 9-patch.  We helped a lot when you were growing up – feeding you, changing your diapers, picking out your clothes, taking you to meander around the park and just having fun with you.  Being mothers now we know how much help that must have been for Mom.  Mostly you were full of charm but sometimes you were downright stippling.

At a very young age your passion for scissors was apparent but you never did go for hairdressing.  Now you save your cutting for fat quarters, paper and decks of cards.

I love to sew and already back in high school I could often be found behind my sewing machine.  You were the number one recipient of my creations.  I used pretty much everything to make clothes for you.  I dressed you in scraps of a table cloth, repurposed clothing and free fabric.  It was not all 100% cotton and not necessarily pretty.  You survived my love and by the time you were about 8 you were free from my obsession.

Alisa and I both still love to sew and quilt.  We were stashed when you joined us on our patchwork journey.  Imagine our excitement when you churned out your first quilt!  We are so proud of your binding, mitered corners and half square triangles.  Such good sister bonding time with our sewing machines and French vanillas.

And, now you’re married.  The cathedral windows were smiling.  The layer cakes and jelly rolls were delicious and we are more than happy for you!  You are blessed with William, a husband who understands texture and creativity, colour and pattern, and who has a long arm.

Cousins!

Special moments

And then it was time to go home. Always hard to leave. We had a wonderful family reunion with all 45 of us, a beautiful wedding and then a week of visiting and relaxing with family and friends. I'm thankful we only live a (long) days drive away. I'll leave you a couple pictures from out drive home. The Rocky Mountains are so awesome and majestic. I always feel so humbled in this beautiful display of God's splendor!

Rogers Pass