Pretty in Pink - 2 dresses

Dress #1: Six years ago, when I was a sophomore in high school, I took a sewing class.
Best high school class EVER! For 3-4 hours a week, I just sewed :D

We had to make 6 projects, each one increasing in difficulty. Since I had already been sewing for a while, I started with pajamas while everyone else fumbled through tote bags. By the 5th and 6th projects, dresses were about the hardest things left--a piece of cake!

This dress was project #5. I think I made it in 2 or 3 class periods. Awesome! I got an A on it (almost 100%, I think).

Then I brought it home and realized that it was a little too big for me. It almost fit my sister, so I tried to take out the seams to fit her. We didn't like how it was working, so I set it aside.

Now, several years later, as I packed up my sewing things to move into a new apartment (I'm married!), I found the dress! I sewed it back into its original size, and I'll never wear it, so here it is on Etsy. I hope it's the perfect size for someone here!

(click here for listing)

Dress #2: I bought this hot pink fabric several years ago--at Wal-mart, I think (of all places to find nice fabric!). I LOVED this pattern on the fabric, and the color!

Again, when I got married and moved into my apartment, I found the fabric :D
I love this pattern of dress, and I had this lovely wide lace to use, so I whipped up this dress!


The problem is . . . I don't need another dress.


Though I love them, I don't have reasons to wear them very often. By October I stop wearing dresses to church because it's too cold. So, to Etsy it goes!

This one has a pleated skirt, POCKETS (love this!), and a longer length.

(click here for listing)

first Sale of August, plus my growing love of Etsy

After being listed for only 3 days, I sold the light blue skirt!!! And, this is my first international sale! It's going to Western Australia! My International Business degree is kinda paying off, huh? ha ha. I love that Etsy in multi-national.

I'm very impressed that it sold so quickly! A combination of Etsy's new searches (by relevancy instead of most recent), becoming more involved in several teams (Christian Artists, IN Crowd, Dressmakers, Midwest Treasury, Makers of Modest Clothes), and promoting my blog, I think. Parker (my husband) said I should get more involved as a way to grow the business, and it's working!

Another feat: I fit this dress into a small USPS priority mail box--size: 5.5"x8.5"x1.5". Small! But I did it! I folded it at home, with these specifications in mind. Then I put it in a gallon-sized ziploc bag and pressed all the air out so it stayed put! I'm so proud of my little accomplishment :D

If I hadn't before, I am really falling in love with Etsy! Through teams and treasuries, I am finding many wonderful items--some I wish I had money to buy and some give me great ideas.
I only wish I had time and resources to act on all my ideas. This is why I wanted to be a fashion designer or owner of a actual shop, so I could design everything, sew somethings, and have other people sew the rest. Ha ha. Someday, perhaps.
But I have an idea sketchbook, so I can turn to these ideas when I run out of projects--if that ever happens!

I finished 2 dresses this week, and I think I will list both on Etsy. They are both size 6, and I don't have any more of either fabric. I don't like to list something that limits my customer base, but I have no use for the dresses. I'll model them, and hopefully they'll be exactly what someone else is looking for!
Both patterns are great--and flattering to most figures--so I'll probably make more of these in different fabrics and sizes. Who knows? Maybe I'll just have lots of different dresses--like a boutique or vintage shop! I'm also adding adult and child aprons soon.

One more thing: My mom and I are seriously thinking about buying a booth at an Indiana-wide craft show. It's in Noblesville, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We haven't done a craft show in at least 5 years--probably more like 10. We LOVE them, and usually sell pretty well. Praying about it, for sure!

3 New Skirts!

     Two years ago, I began my Etsy business. My grandmother was getting sick and couldn't do my sewing anymore, so she gave me cabinets full of vintage fabric and patterns. It took most of the summer to figure out what to do with ANY of it. I came up with this pattern for a skirt that can fit nearly any size--thanks to elastic and a ribbon drawstring :D
     I made four skirts that summer (well, 8, since I made 2 of each) in various color patterns. Then I went back to college and was SUPER busy. Now, since I'm recently married and practically done with college (I need to test out of my final class), I actually have time to sew!!! My husband is wonderful--allowing me to try to grow my Etsy business into a part- or full-time job instead of getting a "real" job right away. I'm in sewing heaven.

     Anyway, here are 3 new skirts! There is even a fourth in the making, and I'm sure I will list several new ones this summer and fall.

Bright, Flowery Fabrics (click on link for Etsy listing)
Based off the white fabric (with colorful flowers), the other fabrics coordinate and add splashes of bright color! So fun!


Light Blue
I love how these fabrics coordinate!!! This is by far my favorite :D The striped and flowery fabrics must have been in the same set, because the motifs match perfectly! And the other solid blues are a great fit.

 (In the right picture, you can see that this one has crocheted lace, and all are reversible with muslin on the other side.)


Pastel Patchwork
This color scheme is obviously based on the patchwork fabric. The pastel colors remind me of spring :D

 The right picture is of the other side (they're reversible!).

Lace on the pastel skirt

(Special thanks to my good friend Niki for modeling!)