It has been a while since I have been able to post more photos and ideas. We have been traveling and also gotten some new ideas to work on. The children are growing fast and I need to make more dresses for the girls.

Right now I need to minimize and concentrate on tasks at hand. I have collected too much stuff and definitely need to downsize. Have you read Throw Out Fifty Things by Gail Blanke? I need to think about how much do I really have to have to live. Lots of "needs" to work with!

This is another dress that I just finished. I try to find cottons around $2 to $3 per yard for summer dresses.



I thought I would try to explain how I sew these quick and easy dresses. I have been sewing since I was seven and still enjoy it after all these years. I will try to keep it simple and explain enough for a beginner.

I am currently finishing some summer dresses for one daughter using a very simple style. I try to find a good cotton fabric that will hold up to an active 11-year-old's lifestyle. I have made a pattern that is very simple using 4 pieces. It is quick to layout and cut and easy to sew. I measure the skirt length and cut 2 of those the width of the fabric. Then I fold the rest in half lengthwise and place the front, back and sleeve on it and I save the scraps to make a bias for the neck. I sew everything by machine except for the buttons. I haven't figured how long it takes as I haven't sat down to time the process from laying it out to sewing it up.