The Cute is in the Trimmings

Dog dresses!   These two were made using some fabric scraps from my neighbor (the bodice) and arm bands from a dance recital.  DD dreamed these up and they turned out even cuter than I'd imaged.  

The tiger stripes needed a little something, so I added these chained bows.  They are scalloped and then tied, so each is just a single ribbon which runs all the way from the left hip to the right one.  I'm sure these will be even cuter on.

Fancy Dog Dresses

Yes I'm getting back into the swing of making dog dresses.  I tell you what planning to do anything in the summer time is rather like trying to cram a mole into an ant hill.  Today I have a dozen dresses for you to see.  6 matched pairs for the little sister and big sister we adore so much.

Now the red dresses and the pink ones are embroidery blanks, they are simple now so they can be embellished later.  As for the black with the tiger stripes I am most proud of that one.  When I was handed that fabric, I was told "I don't know why I bought that fabric I don't even like it, it's more what my husband would like".  Well hopefully by adding the sparkle black to the top thereby toning down the orange everyone will like it.  The fabric by itself made me daydream about DD and our new dog Shelby.  Wouldn't it be neat if they dressed as Jasmine and Rajah for Halloween?

This Week's Dog Dresses

This week I must have had my head screwed on backwards.  I created a new dog dress pattern and worked on another new pattern that I'm still trying to work the kinks out of from last week.  The good news is that the dresses are beautiful.   So I'm going to tack these up as well worth the effort.

Local Dog Show

Today the local pet store had a dog show.  The kind all in good fun.  DD showed Mocha and Morgan with all three sporting dresses I made, yes you read that correctly I made a dress to match for DD.  Our charming trio won first place in the "Look Alike" category as well as "Best Costume".  What a good time we had.  My favorite part was the obedience segment performed by all of the therapy dogs.  Wow! To see them all lined up waiting for the next command!  What do you think, the best great thing - obedience training for children?

DD was so excited.  She was thrilled to be there and the honor of winning was really the icing on her great day, she kept saying over and over I can't believe we won.

DD after receiving her award

Serendipitous Dress

This afternoon I drafted a new dog dress pattern.  Except I seemed completely unable to follow my own directions and made the bodice and the back in reverse.  The results are two charming apron style dresses, which I think even the most exacting therapy dog will be happy to wear.  What do you think?

Apron Style Dog Dresses

Yo-Yo Dresses

Yesterday I was inspired by quilting to make these special dog dresses.  I think perhaps I should make one for DD as well.  Wouldn't it make the cutest little girl dress?

Yo-yo Dresses

Inspiration into Reality

Faux Flowers within Skirting

Original Dress per
Zulily's Website

The other day I was casually shopping online and I saw a beautiful little girl's dress.  The dress was white with a faux flower at the hip and then some petals trapped within an organza over skirt.  A traditional mother would have been inspired to buy it for her little girl, instead I was struck by the dress and instantly inspired to create it as a dog dress.  Or in my case two dresses.

It's a dreary overcast day, so I can tell you the color in my flowers is off, they are actually vibrant royal purple flowers.  Originally I had thought to use some 1/4" purple trim that I have, but when next to my purple flowers it wasn't a solid match so I went with the silver instead.  I can hardly wait to hear what my friend has to say!

A Special Weave

I have been making smaller versions of dog dresses I've already made, this time for the puppy.  The dress below was a big challenge because the purple lilacs were to honor a departed family member.  The first time I made this dress it was trimmed with a delicate purple lace.  There was only enough lace for the one dress.

Woven Ribbon trim

When it came time to make the twin of that one I wasn't sure what to do.  It had to be something special.  At first I thought to combine a royal purple and a lilac ribbon, but as they were two different thicknesses I wasn't sure how to go about it.  A little online digging and I came up with this.  It is a Hawaiian weaving technique.  Isn't it lovely?  I am so glad I waited to embellish this dress until the moment was right!

The Dog Dress Zone

This week I just worked on dresses.  I cut fabric when I wanted to, I sewed when I wanted to and just all around enjoyed the week.  I started and finished these 9 dresses, and I also made 14 others.  Those are technically finished but are waiting on embellishments to put them over the top.

I enjoy making these, as they are quick to finish and each one is unique as to which ribbon and how to make the skirts etc.  Perhaps this is why people like crafting quick results that look good.  While I'm not one of those people I certainly find the joy in having a bit of music and watching these beauties come out of the sewing machine.  Pay no attention to the dirty floor, I was in the zone!

Adding Width to a Wallhanging

Ruffles for this panel

It's been a while since I've done any alterations.  So I was pleasantly surprised when one of my neighbors called me to see if I had time to do some for her.  She is such a sweet lady, I always have time for her.  Amongst other things she had this panel that she wanted me to added a ruffled edge to, and I thought I would show it to you.  Aren't those colors amazing?  So vibrant!

I reached my goal this month for dog dresses, as I made number 18 on Wednesday.  When I got home just a few minutes ago I came right in the sewing room and started planning the next one I'll be working on.  It is a completely different fabric and quite slippery so hopefully that wont be a problem.

Puppy Dresses and My Tired Tiny

Tiny all worn out

How have you been?  I've been thinking about you.  Lately I've been making puppy dresses for the newest addition in our friend's home.  Since a puppy is always growing I've brain stormed up some "grow with me" ideas and built them into my latest dresses.  You can see one example below, but I'm not going to give away my secrets.  This year I'm hoping to average about 18 dresses each month which will allow my family and I to go on a vacation together in 2014.  This month I've finished 17 and am working on number 18 now.

As you can see Tiny says we've just been working our little paws like crazy and it's always good to crash in the sewing room, even though momma doesn't recommend it.

Big Girl

Little Girl

First Package of the Season

Tiny my Wrapping Elf

Merry Christmas!

How is the holiday season treating you?  We seem to be running in slow motion.  I wrapped our first presents last week for my friend that I make the dog dresses for.   What did I give her?  Dog Dresses of course.  The first one is a fleece one that I made two of (cut from the same fabric but turned out very different) with one going to a dog my mom knows and the other to my friend.  Then the purple dress, I actually made in November and it was just so pretty I couldn't part with it for the normal rate so my friend Vicki suggested it as a Christmas gift.  Both Dresses were wrapped in tissue paper and then into their own wrapping paper packages.  I had lots of help from Tiny!

Christmas Gifts of Dog Dresses

Do you have anything wrapped up under your tree yet?  Mom always maintains a tree with nothing under it looks naked, but personally with pets and DD asks silly questions about whose is whose, it's easier to leave off the wrapping for a little bit.  I actually wondered if I would hold off and let the elves bring the presents on the 24th...  But really all the wrapping needs done before DD is out of school for Christmas Break - right?