Tuesday, December 16, 2014

DIY: A Candy Cane Christmas New Dress

Well, hello there, friends! Welcome back to my lil ole 10 Day Giveaway. Thank you to all y'all that have participated, the response was super great and I really appreciate those of you that took the time to become a follower of this here craziness. So, just who won that lovely Christmas-y fabric cache?!
 (Please pardon my still-painted-covered hands, we've been working on this wild -n- wacky 4th grade legacy mural [you'll find out more in an upcoming giveaway post!] and I'm finding paint everywhere). Congratulations, Charlotte! I'll pop the fabric in the post tomorrow in hopes that it reaches you before the holiday. 

So, what's up for grabs today...?
Two whole yards of this amazing Tammis Keefe vintage reproduction fabric by Michael Miller! This here is enough loveliness to really create something marvelous. If you aren't familiar with Tammis Keefe's designs (or my obsession with her), you really outta visit here. Since I had you jumping through a coupla hoops for yesterday's giveaway, I thought I'd make this giveaway a pinch simpler...

To enter to win these two yards of glorious fabric, simply leave a comment on what'd you'd make with the stuff and add your email address so I can contact you tomorrow afternoon. Thanks and good luck! By the way, non-fabric lovers: Don't fret! I'll be giving away all sorts of fabric-free goodness over the next coupla days as well so pop back by!And now...on to the dress!
 I've actually had this fabric for a while. Anytime I see Tammis Keefe repros, I scoop them up. She's simply one of my faves. The prob with buying fabric without a solid plan is that, if you're like me, you over-buy. Which is way better than under-buying cuz running out simply sux. When I was digging out some holiday fabrics this fall, I knew I wanted to work with this fabric and decided that candy cane striped stuff would make a perfect bodice for this dress. But what pattern to use?
 One of my fave stitching blogs is Roisin over at Dolly Clacket. She always stitches with the cutest prints and makes me feel better about always sewing with quilter's cottons (I know there are those out there that oppose sewing with quilter's cottons but I just find the prints are the cutest thing ever!). One pattern I've noticed that she and several other sewing bloggers use is Christine Haynes' Emery. So I decided to get outta my comfort zone, pick up this popular pattern and try something new!

By the way, it wasn't until I was deep into stitching that I noticed what was happening on the fabric...is Santa beating his reindeer?! DUDE, that's not cool. I definitely wouldn't challenge that deer wielding that candy cane. Cuz, Claus, it might end up somewheres that you might not like, ya feel me? Ho-ho-OH NO YOU DIDN'T. 
And I totally love the dress! It's not without it's issues which had nothing to do with the pattern, it was all me. My zipper install looks like some sorta botched plastic surgery which really ain't no thang if I wear the belt. AND I prolly shoulda made a muslin (haha, as if. My laziness knows no bounds, y'all) cuz the back is a lil gappy. Of course, who's gonna notice that when you're trimmed in faux fur, riiiiight? Speaking of, sewing that stuff was a barrel of (un)fun. That stuff was flying outta my sewing machine and goin' straight up mah nose. I've had furry boogers all day and I'm almost positive all my coughing is due to the early stages of fur-lung. 
 Oh, but the pockets. I do love them so. I used the striped fabric for those which is all kinds of cuteness, if I do say so. I also love the pocket placement way better than the sewing pattern I usually work with (which I've dubbed "piddlin' pockets"). AND the sleeves were actually a painless install! Hurray! 
To top off this Christmas-masterpiece, I wore these lovely kicks which I found on ebay (can you believe I was the ONLY bidder?! Wait, don't answer that). The kids thought they were the best thing ever even if I felt like Hooker Claus in 'em all day long. My feet are  not happy but, hey, it was worth it. 
And there you have it! A new Christmas dress just in time for the holidazzzze. 

Good luck on today's giveaway, friends! I'll announce the winner and what's up for grabbies tomorrow. Until then!




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50 comments:

  1. I would make a rockin tree skirt! I just love that fabric! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin
    fairyfractal at gmail dot com

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  2. That is one fabulous dress! That fabric is darling, and would make a great skirt. And where do I get boots like that? :)

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  3. Very cute! I'm sure your students loved it! :) I would use the fabric to make a tree skirt -- maybe I'll trim it in candy cane stripe. ;) sarah@forrussia.org

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  4. A purse! But that's only because it's the only thing I know how to sew! Or, um iron he, tape close! Vks84@aol.com

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  5. Oh, I would totally make a skirt with that fabric--and trim it with that awesome tacky ball fringe at the hemline. deccah at gmail dot com--and yes, I do think Santa is beating his poor reindeer! Sheesh!

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  6. I would try to make an apron and if anyleftover- a bandana for my sweet puppy dog!

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  7. Oops tracyevans@verizon.net is my email!!!

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  8. Totally would turn it into ruffles to trim some plain (or red-striped!) tea towel fabric to make amazing holiday kitchen towels!

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  9. Omg...you had me at hooker Claus!

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  10. Oops jenniferlovegironda@gmail.com

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  11. I want to make a holiday apron for me and a star student. Abatson.a@gmail.com

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  12. I would use the fabric to make a matching set of pillows for my boyfriend's mom!! erixalm at gmail dot com

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  13. While my daughter suggested a red carpet gown...I know she watches way too much Project Runway for her own good. ( I realized this after I hear her shout "too much boob" at the tv the other day. I would totally share in a little apron project with my budding stylist! janell.krug@gmail.com

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  14. I would stitch up some amazing gift bags with that. I love it!! mnilsenphoto@gmail.com

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  15. I would make cute dresses for my twin girls and chi! kingj@tunicak12.org

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  16. Adorable!! I would make a dress for my grandbaby. mkscurfield@cox.net

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  17. I would totally make a skirt with that rad fabric! mrs.fouts@yahoo.com

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  18. Not sure if I'm doing this correctly. Love your creativity. My sewing skills very basic compared to yours. Renasphoto@hotmail.com

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  19. Eeek I have an Etsy page and make custom keyfobs, lanyards n tons of other cute pretties! Definitely make a keyfob or clutch OR hairbow to wear to school!!

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  20. I might have to bring jean patches back. Imagine that fabric on two back pockets, I could make it work.
    aschukei@cableone.net

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  21. I would make a sketch book and doll clothes and bedding. 😊 kellycreatesart at gmail

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  22. I love Michael Miller! I would make a tree skirt for sure! susan.hopson@ymail.com

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  23. You are just amazing! Best wishes from Hungary!

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  24. Definitely an apron! I have the perfect striped fabric to make ruffles and trim. poppymuddyfoot@yahoo.com

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  25. By the way, I totally agree with what you said about sewing with quilter's cottons. I'm embarrassed to admit how much of my wardrobe is made from it. But I just love the prints...as my fabric stash will attest!

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  26. Ekmaday@gmail.com

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  27. I love that fabric. I would make some little girl skirts. So adorable. Thanks for the chance to win. Love your blog. (debbie at wowilikethat dot com)

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  28. I think it would be sweet to create a pair of leggings with it. For Christmas time as an elementary art teacher!
    emily.gau@gmail.com

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  29. I've been looking for fabric to make a sweet apron with removable features that can be changed based on the holiday or season. And maybe a purse... plus I could use the scraps in the 5th & 6th grade weaving project that I got from you. How in the world did you get them done so fast, mine are taking forever!
    Great fabric!!! ~Liz
    artteachervanallen@gmail.com

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  30. Definitely a skirt to wear to school. Reminds me of when I was little. dar3crout@gmail.com

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  31. Anonymous12/17/2014

    That fabric had me wondering, too, about what Santa is doing to those poor reindeer! I'm into table runners these days. Kathy

    Kathy hills 22 (at) gmail (dot)com

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  32. I LOVE your outfit (boots and all!)! I'd make an awesome Christmas skirt for me!!!!
    janemshores@yahoo.com

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  33. This fabric would make some really fun Christmas aprons!

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  34. I would make a table runner or place mats.......

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  35. I love the outfit - fantastic!! I would probably make placemats for the kitchen table! Although a Christmas vest would be hilarious in that fabric!
    mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I am lovin those red boots!!!!! I think a table runner would be a fun thing to make with the fabric!! Thanks

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  38. This would make super cute aprons

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  39. Anonymous12/17/2014

    You inspired me to pull out my sewing machine to make a skirt for Thanksgiving and I think this fabric would make another great skirt with that pattern! kvdickerson@gmail.com

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  40. This fabric begs to be paired with my other vintage/retro loveliness into the best Christmas tree skirt ever! Perhaps if there is enough yardage remaining some stockings (only for the purposes of hanging them by the fire with care, of course!). Thanks for the chance to enter!

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  41. I would make a few aprons. Love it!
    blandrews13 at gmail.com

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  42. How cute, I would make stockings or a fun table runner... sonjasmith76@yahoo.com

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  43. My tree skirt is looking a little shabby so that is the first thing I would make...and maybe that would eventually be recycled as a skirt for me!

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  44. Not sure if my first comment posted, if it did just delete this one, I have some red velvet that I would like to combine with this fabric and make my daughter a Christmas dress, for next year ;) grecomara at gmail dot com

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  45. I would make this into a christmas dress. I am hoping next year to have enough dresses for school for everyday in December. I have a couple made, but need more beautiful fabric! akaise211@yahoo.com

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  46. Anonymous12/17/2014

    AWESOME Dress!A almost finished my christmas dress - only the hem to go - and of course it's made of quilter's cotton. No chance to get that seasonal prints without it. And it's only a little bit tacky... If I would have that fabric, I would totally save it for next year, to make a dress of it. Or incorporate into a dress like you did, to have enough left, to make samothing matching for my boyfriend. He already agreed to that, so.. Thanks for the chance to win! Tagebri(at)web(dot)de

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  47. Love that fabric! I would make a tree skirt for my Christmas tree! hannah(dot)huber(at)aggiemail(dot)usu(dot)edu

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  48. You look wonderful and the shoes made the outfit. The fabric is perfect for some ornaments.

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  49. I am a 70 year old, brand-new art teacher. I went back to school during semi-retirement to launch an "encore" career teaching art. I host intergenerational creativity workshops in the community and teach art to 8th grade ESE students. My fave project so far is this. Each of the students decorated a canvas which I wrapped with the tie dye fabric of their choice. I showed them how to fold fabric in complementary colors for "stripes" and we added glam with stick-on jewels, flowers, ribbons and leaf embellishments. I arranged the fabric rectangles to make a "tree" (some pieces placed vertically and others horizontally) and added pine cones where there were gaps because of this placement. This fabric pine tree is going into our local art museum in January as part of the VSA Florida exhibit. I forward your blog to three of the four (yeah, four) children's art teachers in my family. The other one is already a follower. Love your style and I'm already starting to dress like you. Yesterday I painted candy-cane stripes on my white boots. Robin Collison

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Thank you so much for your comments. I appreciate each and every one :)

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