My Sewing Journal: Satin Stitch and a 3T Ladybug Dress

My 2 1/2 Year Old Daughter in the Ladybug Dress that I created for her! Her accessories include a Ladybug Headband and Ladybug Wings that we purchased last year at our local The Dollar Tree: Must haves for a little girls "Dress Up" Bin!

For the last 2 1/2 Weeks, I have been sewing FaceMasks non-stop, every single day! Ok, maybe not exactly non-stop, but it sure feels like it! Over the last few weeks, my little darling daughter has seen me creating masks with a red and black polka dot fabric, that she calls "Ladybug Girl"! She has asked me several times if the fabric was for her, if the masks are for her, and if Mommy is making a dress for her... I told her that I would make her a Ladybug Dress sometime this week... 

As my FaceMasks orders have been coming in, more people are choosing the red and black polka dot fabric for their mask order, and it is adorable! I knew I had to make her something out of this darling fabric before I ran out! Today, I decided to take a short break from Mask Making, and create something for my little one. While she and my 1 year old baby were taking their afternoon nap, I made my toddler the cutest 3T Ladybug Dress! The dress took me about an hour and a half to make, and I love how it came out! 

This is my Applique Template of a Ladybug that I drew freehand on an index card. I used this template to create applique Ladybug Pockets on my daughter's new Ladybug Dress.

Earlier last week, I received my long coveted Singer Sewing Machine Accessory Kit, that I ordered from Amazon. This Presser Foot Kit has been on my Wish List for years! The Presser Feet included within this kit are: Blind Hem Foot, Cording Foot, Darning/Freehand Embroidery Foot, Even Feed/Walking Foot, Gathering Foot, Narrow Rolled Hem Foot, Overcasting Foot, Satin Stitch Foot, Straight Stitch Foot, plus a Twin Needle. Imagine the creative possibilities with these amazing accessories! 

In March, I found a fantastic book at my local library's annual used book sale, Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques, by Nancy Bednar and JoAnn Pugh-Gannon (1999). This book explains how to use all of the various presser feet along with step-by-step instructions! When I bought this book (for ONLY $1.00!), I knew for a certainty that I needed, absolutely needed, to buy the Singer Sewing Machine Accessory Kit that I had found on Amazon so long ago... So I bought it!  I already love it! The Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques is a must have companion to the kit! 

My NEW Singer Sewing Machine Accessory Kit that includes 9 Presser Feet!

The Book, Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques, by Nancy Bednar and JoAnn Pugh-Gannon (1999).

While on my sewing break from Mask Making, and with my babies peacefully asleep, I thought it would be fun to check out my accessory kit, by trying out the Satin Stitch Foot, and making my daughter her Ladybug Dress...

I knew I could not make my daughter a dress entirely out of the red and black polka dot fabric, because I am running low. So I decided to make a Ladybug Applique out of the fabric, and attach it to a lovely charcoal grey stretch knit fabric that I had on hand.  I was inspired by the design of a Carters Dress that I recently bought for my daughter online. The Carters Dress is a size 3T, fits her perfectly, and has little kitty cats as pockets on the front. I took the Carters Dress and traced the Skirt and Bodice on Pattern Paper, I added the seam allowances, then cut the new dress out of the charcoal stretch knit fabric. I also cut out the ladybug applique. With page 22, of my Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques open, I setup my new Satin Stitch Presser Foot following the Machine Set-Up Instructions on the "Applique, Basic Satin Stitch" Section of the book. How handy it is to have this tangible resource! 

Page 22 of Encyclopedia of Sewing Machine Techniques.

Check out my work in progress...

Using the Satin Stitch Presser Foot, I Satin Stitched my ladybug applique onto a cotton fabric as a stabilizer. I then cut the stabilized ladybug to attach to the dress as a pocket.

Dress Pieces: Bodice, Ladybug Pockets, and Skirt (Shown here inside out).

Here, I have sewn the front and back of the skirt together, and sewn on the Ladybug Pockets to the front of the skirt.

I added a red ribbon the the bottom hem of the skirt for extra fanciness!

After sewing the front and back of the bodice together, I finished the arm holes and neckline, then attached the dress bodice to the skirt. Finished!

Nap Time is over, and the dress is ready!
​She loves it! 

My lovely little daughter loves her new dress! She was happy to pose with her Ladybug Headband! She loves her dress pockets!

My lovely little daughter loves her new dress! She was happy to pose with her Ladybug Headband! She loves her dress pockets!

Here she is in her new dress, gazing at the bugs flying in the yard!

Thank you for reading about my latest project! I am excited to try out the remaining 8 presser foot accessories in my accessory kit. I will be sure to tell you all about it once I do! 

GoodNight! 

Related Links:

My Sewing Journal: Custom Children's Projects- Volume 1

Memiors of FaceMask Making- Week One

An Interview With My First Sewing Student!