Put your paws down.

I've been working on Kjrsten's dress all day today, and part of last night. I put on the sleeves and hemmed the sleeves and skirt. I really like the style of the dress. It is straight with princess seams, and for breastfeeding abilities, it has a snap front that goes down to the waist. I admit,  I'm not totally focused on postpartum at the moment with my designs. I do believe in the whole idea, I just needed to mix things up for a bit. But this dress is totally postpartum worthy, and I'm happy to say that I looove it. So far. I think. ugh.

With the mustard yellow, I thought giant gray roses would be really great down the snap opening and the also around the neckline. I knew I would be making these roses myself even though they are sold at every Joanne's. Theirs aren't as good, and the gray the sold didn't match the yellow in the dress. And I realized that when I made these for my knit shirt, I didn't ever explain how to make these beauties. 

How to make roses. By Ellen. 

1. cut out bias strips from any chiffon or netting you would like to use. The strips must be bias, and in between 1" or 2" in width.

2. cut out felt circles for the backing. I like felt because it is sturdy while still mold-able. I guess any sort of duck-cloth or canvas would work too, but you would have to finish the edges. Felt is low-maintenance. just do the felt. Any old craft felt would work. 

3. Starting at the center of the felt circle, place one end of the bias strip, and start sewing down the middle of the strip. I would just do a 1/4" to start, then put down the needle, lift the foot, and then rotate the felt circle to start a constant winding circle. At the beginning it is a little tricky because the center of the rose is so small, but you get the hang of it as the rose grows. Keep the layers of fabric close together, no more than 1/4" from the previous layer. Go all the way to the edge of the circle. I barely had an 1/8" left of my circle and I still went around one more time, so I wouldn't see any felt at all on the finished rose. You could always trim off the edge, too. 

Finished rose. Pretty, huh? Once i was done with one strip, I layered the next strip on top of the finished one about 1/2" and kept sewing.

This is the back of the rose, so you can see how the stitching happens. I actually really like the back, which would be a nice sewn-in detail on another garment for another time. 

 

 

I have to make about 12 roses for Kjrsten's dress. I can't tell if it's too much or not. i don't think it is. Here is the dress with roses and felt circles meant to be imagined as roses. What do we all think??

For some reason the roses are coming out blue in these pictures, but I promise it is like the gray pictured in the other photos.

On second thought, I like this. I really do. Kjrsten's style is totally eclectic and very Anthropologie. I think it will look great when it's done. Which will hopefully be tonight.