Yay!! I finally made Gretchen Hersch's Popover dress from her book, Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses.

Let me first start by telling you NOT to use a one-directional fabric. Holy moly, I learned that lesson the hard way. The book says you'll need 3 1/3 yards of fabric. I bought 3 1/2 yards to have extra to make a matching hair bow, purse, or accent on a bag, etc. As I cut into the fabric I thought, oh shoot, I'm going to need much more! A big face-palm moment there. Ugh!

I ran back to the store and bought another 1 1/2 yards- totaling 5 yards of fabric. OMG!! Thank the fabric gods I had a 50% off coupon to use for both shopping trips. Lesson learned! Next time and there will be a next time, I will buy a multi-directional, busy print fabric. Jebus! (If you get my Simpson's reference, I love you).

Aside from my fabric choice mistake, the dress pattern was crazy easy to transfer. It basically has 1 piece. I always use freezer paper when I trace patterns. It's a good-sized roll and you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The pattern has the main dress, an armhole facing, shoulder bow and ginormous pocket pieces to trace. Easy peasy! I opted out from using the pockets and shoulder bows for this particular dress, but I transferred the pattern pieces for future use. 

After you wash, dry and iron your fabric, you'll cut it out. I usually like to trace the pattern while the fabric washes one day, and sew it the next day. But, this dress was so simple and quick, you could trace and sew it in an afternoon. It took me around 2 hours to sew- including making tea and a snack for myself and the kids. #momlife 

I didn't let the dress hang for 24 hrs before sewing up the hem- I know, I apologize. But, it was going so smoothly I wanted to just get it done so I could try on the essential tent. And boy, is it a tent. Ha!

I stuck an elastic waist belt on and WOW! Transformation doesn't even describe it. When I put on my crinoline, it was a Wowsa moment! I was a 50's housewife goddess. Exactly what Gertie promised. Yep, I love the dress!!

I am planning on making a few of these dresses for the summer. Hawaiian print, polka dots, gingham, gimme all the carefree and flowy fabrics. I did buy 2 belts from Amazon- one black and one white. I figured they'd go with most everything because you do need an elastic cinch belt with this dress. She has an option in the book to make a shirred waist and I plan on trying that eventually.
Disclaimer: Many, many years ago I tried shirring a shirt and it was a huge disaster. Hoping to get the courage to try it again with the Popover dress. 

I can see myself sewing up a few of these batch style in a day. So easy, so comfy and pretty darn cute too! Thanks for another great pattern, Gertie! You are amazing.

So, what do you think? Are you game for making the super simple Popover dress? What other dresses do you plan on making in her book? Let me know in the comments below. 

Happy Sewing!
Annette

I have a silly question for you. Do you ever buy fabric without knowing what you'll make with it? 

Quietly raises a hand, I'm uber guilty of this. #fabrichoarder

Well, boredom set in on a Friday night and I didn't have to taxi kids around.
So, I opted for the ole "cereal for dinner" mantra. 
And I took a whole afternoon-turned to night, for me. And did some selfish sewing.

I looked in my stash and had Halloween fabric I bought years...and years ago. I also had some fun Jetson's fabric. I'm a  child of the 80's after all. It was a stash busting selfish sewing kind of night.

I always buy at least 2 yards of fabric, especially If I'm unsure what it'll get used for. You can usually get a skirt, a top, or a blanket and matching items for a baby gift, etc. out of 2 yards.

All I needed was 2 yards of fabric, an invisible zipper, and coffee. 

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Fall is in the air, but that won't stop me from wearing this jumper. No way! The days are warm and the nights are chilly. Jumpers are a great seasonal transition piece. Add a sweater and some chucks, and you're set. 

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This is half sew along and half review. It's not a complete step by step. Hopefully you'll get some useful info out of it though.

​Most of the summer was spent enjoying beautiful weather, great friends, resort pools, and camping.
My friend stayed with us for a week and we squeezed in some sewing time. And, the jumper was finished at another friends house while I visited her. Ha!! Yes, having sewing friends in real life is amazing. #findyourtribe
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Grab the New Look Pattern 6446. You won't regret it! There are tons of tutorials on this pattern online and You Tube. 

I chose to use this fabric that I've had since 2015. Yikes!
I bought 3 yards at Joann fabrics in the clearance section. It's an extremely soft, thick knit. I used a 16" invisible zipper and coordinating white thread. 

Have you ever been scared to sew something? Almost frightened because you didn't know where to start? Let me share a little story with you. ​

Summer is here! It's hot and I'm loving it. Well, until I get sick of the heat. Then, I'll cry for cooler weather. I'm as bad as the kids I tell ya. 

But, for now, I'm enjoying the warm days and cool evenings. We like to sit outside at night counting stars and the occasional airplane. 
Also, summer is a time for vacations. Whether you take the whole family or just a solo weekend away.
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My question for you is, do you sew for vacation? 
Vacation is perceived differently by everyone, this I know. For me, its anywhere that isn't home. Go to the mountains and camp in a tent or trailer. Week long trip to a resort. Whisk my husband and me away for a weekend. Those are all vacations for me.