Sewing the Schoolhouse tunic and dress

This dress is made with Anna Maria Horner quilting cotton ( I bought a bolt and just ordered another I love it so much)-- and is based on the ever popular Schoolhouse Tunic sewing pattern by Meg of Sew Liberated.

I'll share with you the changes I made in order to make it a dress. I prefer dresses because I can wear them to work or at home, and the only thing I need to "somewhat match" are my tights. 

OK so as for the hacks:

 Washi Dress 

Cut two waist ties at 6" wide by 36" long and fold in half WST (wrong sides together) and sew at 1/4" SA. Taper the end if you want to for fanciness. Turn RSO (right sides out) and press well. Baste to bottom sides of bodice before sewing sides of bodice together. 

I've thought next time I might double the waist tie length so I can wrap wrap wrap like a kimono. We shall see.



On the sleeves I trimmed off 6" of the length and did a small serged hem, folding under by 1/4" and top stitching down. I don't like 3/4" sleeves if woven- they make me feel trapped. 

Like my fancy drawing? Bahahaa

Everything else is the same following the pattern. As I mentioned, I made a 1.5" hemline at the bottom of the skirt because I like it to stop at a specific point on my body. Adjust your hem and/or length to your body.  That's the beauty of sewing right? :D

I like to wear a silky cami underneath, (you can see it in the opening in front) --and though I don't need to, I often wear silk slips under my dresses. I feel fancy that way. Here is a tutorial on how to make one yourself. Or buy them ready to go here.

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I've used up all the linen rayon I bought in eggplant purple- I love the feel and drape of it so much. Above I'm showing an Ogden Cami and below is my latest Painted Portrait Dress. These are patterns that now reside in my "Favorites Folder".  

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Speaking of winter-y weather, we've been busy baking around here. I've come up with a "pretty" healthy muffin recipe I'll share soon.

 They're made with homemade applesauce (SO EASY to make) -- and lots of warming spices + chia seeds and other healthy bits.  Mmmmmm! 

The ultimate test is "will my kids eat them?"  YES. They scarfed them down ----twice.  

I'll post it this weekend hopefully. I was trying to take a video of the process and my phone fell straight into the batter. Oops. 

On the docket this weekend:

1. WATCH and DO a crochet video. I really want to start crocheting my own scarves and tops. 

2. Make home made Lemon Nut Biscotti

3. Make more bath bombs with my kids. We did this last weekend and it was SO FUN.

4. Finish reading Gloria Steinem's book (I started a month ago at least)...

 

5. Finish taking photos of recent makes (MUCH more difficult than it sounds). Why it's so time consuming is beyond me.

6. Talking with friends & catching up on project ideas-- yeah you Lysa, I'm talkin' 'bout you!

Make it count this weekend. 

:)