Tips for Sewing a Halter Dress (And Making it Modest)

Whew! Winter lasted ForEVER and now we're melting in 90 degree humid heat! Little Miss was super excited about this halter dress because it lets her back be "free" and "cool."  =)

Isn't this just the prettiest fabric!?! I found it at JoAnn's last year. Such a nice, smooth cotton with luscious color.

Here are the pieces all laid out. When I cut the bodice front pieces, I added an inch or so to each center edge to get a more modest top, and then gradually tapered the amended cut edge to the original pattern piece so the straps would not be wider than what was initially called for.

I wish I'd cut the strap pieces a bit longer, though. Next time.

It's fairly easy to adjust the sizing at this point. When I tried the pieces on Isabelle, I marked (okay, I didn't! I'm an eye-baller through and through) I made a mental note of where I should have the front pieces lap and tacked them together. NOTE: I wanted to include a small ruffle on the back piece, so I cut the band a little taller. If you make adjustments to any side pieces, don't forget to make those same adjustments to the each side, where they will "meet up." Even if things aren't perfectly aligned, you can trim the raw edges even with each other...no problem!

Next, we tried the elastic back band, which was way too loose. I had to take out one end of stitching and pull the elastic more to make it tighter. Don't be worried if the elastic band seems smaller than the bodice front- I wanted the back a little more snug, just so it fits better, especially when she's jumping around and such.

Lastly, sew your front and back side pieces together. Top-stitch along a narrow edge for a nice, clean finish on the outside, as well as keeping down the bulk on the inside.

The last step is to attach the skirt. I had to pull a little here and there to get the width I needed. One time I had to go back and sew an extra side seam into the skirt because it was just too big and I couldn't make it fit snugly to the bodice pieces. It's all good.

For tips on sewing a smooth hem on a rounded skirt without using bias or hem tape, read this tutorial.

This halter dress is going to get tons of wear this summer! It's perfect to toss on over a swimsuit, too, so basically, she won't be taking it off for the next three months.

Happy Sewing! Email me if you've got any questions! 3sonsplus1{at}gmail{dot}com

You can see my latest sewing projects on instagram at roseandruffle & on Pinterest HERE.  =)

Pretty (Cost-Effective) Packaging Ideas & Thank You Cards

 
Good morning! Today I'm talking packaging here at Rose & Ruffle. I think it's important to show my customers that I truly appreciate their patronage, so I try to make my packaging pretty, and I always include a thank you card. Each item is wrapped in basic white tissue paper and secured with either raffia or pretty white craft string, which I got in the knit/crochet aisle at Wal-Mart; it may even be a crochet thread/yarn/string? (It was around $2-3.)

I shared this photo on my family blog earlier this month.

I prefer to make my own cards, either with fabric scraps or stamps, or both. Since I always have fabric scraps available, I cut up little bunting flags or triangles to use for the cards (I do this when we're watching a movie or waiting around somewhere) and store them in plastic baggies- one bag with girly colors, the other with boy. I use regular old 4x6 blank index cards, folded in half. They're cost effective, and they fit better than typical cardstock blank cards.

A close-up. More often than not, I simply tuck the card into the string, but sometimes I'll use the hole punch.

I use an ink gel pen (a skinny marker does fine, too) to draw the bunting line --if that's what you even call that clothesline-type thing there-- and print or script the "thank you." Then I dab the wide end of the fabric triangle or pendant with a little glue stick and press it right on. Sticks great and dries clear.

 
Here is a sample of a stamped thank you card. Since I began making cards with the buntings, I usually stamp this - or Thank you - on the back of the card because I like the look of the colorful little fabric scraps better.

Lastly, I use poly (waterproof) mailing envelopes in a variety of sizes. I found mine on ebay- there are tons to choose from. I tried printing out my own postage labels and that was kind of a fiasco, so I make weekly trips to the post office. Most of the time I use the self check-out and am in and out within 10 minutes, but international orders make me a little nervous so I stand in line for the pros for those ones.

Here is a kind of lame picture of these happy little packages about to mailed out, but it shows you the type of plastic mailing envelope I'm talking about. I address these envelopes in the pretty Sharpie markers you can see in one of the pictures above, usually pink, sage green, or lilac.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when sending your items to customers:

1. Don't send your high quality items in re-used materials - it's kind of like serving a fine meal on a garbage pail cover

2. Keep things simple - simple (but nice/pretty) always works

3. Include at least one thing that's handwritten - you don't have to write a novel (or even a letter or note), but whatever thank you card/note you do use, at least sign it by hand

Happy Packaging!