Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Arts and crafts

Discover knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and art and craft ideas on this forum.

Original poster

lucysmam! Or anyone who can advise about childrens dressing up

26 replies

ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 19:23

I am trying to make a Cinderella dress for DD(8) using this pattern here
However her measurements are complicated as she has quite a big tummy. 27, 28, 30. I've already tried making up the bodice and widening it towards the tummy but I can't get it right. I've even had to re-buy the pattern and some fabric to try again.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

lucysmam I've been following you and your creations for a while now and I remember you saying one of your DDs had a tummy problem so I thought this might be something which you have encountered before?

All advice welcome. Smile

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 19:52

Give me a mo to get my pattern out and have a look - I can never zoom enough to read the envelope on my phone screen Smile

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 19:57

I'd trace rather than cut the pattern for starters - tissue paper stuck together & weighted down so the whole lot doesn't move about.

If her chest's 27 (so the age 8 on the pattern), I'd start tracing the pattern there.

The waist line should be marked on the bodice - if I was doing it, I'd divide the waist measurement by 4...

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:07

(sorry checking measurements & tucking dd1 up).

So that gives you 7" - measure out from the waist line at the centre front seam, if that makes sense, by 7" & then try to follow the original bodice shape line from underarm/chestline to the waistline.

You'll have to make it up in an old sheet to check but I'd do it that anyway because yes, dd1 is an oddly shaped dd Grin

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:10

In fact, you'll need some ease in that waistline so measure 7 1/4" inches from cfront fold. That gives 1" moving space which you might need to increase depending how comfy she finds it. My dd likes a good 2-3 inches so nothing rubs on her tum.

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:17

For the skirt.

Measure 7 1/4 (or whatever you settled on for the waist) and extend to that.

Measure the hipline out from cf/cb seam and fold line to 7 3/4" (inc 1/4" ease again) and then try to blend from the original seam lines iyswim through your new measurements using the original shape as a guideline.

You'll need a shitload of tissue paper to trace onto and a fair bit of patience/time to get it spot on but it's worth it. I'm just doing Elsa's then starting on Cinders.

I just hope my multiple posts haven't confused you & help a bit Smile

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:19

Btw, I would just make the bodice up in an old sheet or something, not the whole lot. If you can get the waist right there, all you need to do is transfer the waist and increase the hip measurement on the skirt.

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 20:26

Wow, thanks for that! Flowers

Do you think the dress will still look ok if I mess about with the proportions like that? Also you'd recommend tissue paper for tracing?

You and lavendersun are providing me with quite an education Grin

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:31

I've been using greaseproof up until tracing dd1's Elsa off the original & it's a pita stapling it together, doesn't fold as nicely as tissue, I kept sticking myself with staples.

Go with tissue paper unless you have ££ to spend on a roll of proper tracing paper that'll be wide enough.

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:33

The dress should look fine if you alter it like that. It'll be actually made to fit her rather than hanging/pinching in places it shouldn't.

I really would recommend cutting it out of an old sheet or duvet cover first though to save you cutting anything and that "aaaaarrrrrgghhhh" feeling when you've cut the real deal and it's JUST. NOT. RIGHT!!

lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:36

I've had lots of good advice from lavender too, I haven't sewn in 15 years until recently! Am rapidly re-learning all the stuff that seems to have buried itself deeeeeep in my brain somewhere Grin

(really sorry for the little posts - we need the app to work like mobile/desktop where you can read the whole screen as well as your own typing Blush )

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 20:39

Yes I will definitely have a trial on something. Can't afford any more expensive mistakes.

OP posts:
Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 20:43

Thanks again. I'll let you know how it goes.now I just need a time machine or a lottery win so I can give up work

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:43

Did you make it all up properly?

I'm wondering, if you did, could you get the new bodice out of the skirt part so you only have to buy enough to get the new skirt out of? So long as you laid it all following the grain lines as directed on the pattern pieces & do the same with your new pieces, it might work.

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 20:45

strike out fail! Try again. . .

now I just need a time machine or a lottery win so I can give up work

OP posts:
Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 20:46

I've already replaced the fabric but I've turned the other one into a little dress for my mindees dressing up box.

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 20:54

ah, all is not lost then!

Where did you get the fabric from?

I've been buying dress up fabrics from Fabricland.co.uk. Can't go wrong at £1.45 a metre for the satin & £1.49 for voile Smile

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 21:05

The first lot came from Abakhan which is local to me. I ordered the second lot from ebay and got a better quality one because I'm determined to get it right this time!

I can't embrace the fabricland website at all Sad. Do you have to phone them to place an order?

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 21:06

Yep, you have to phone them. The website's bonkers but they're really helpful & delivery's been very speedy (ordered Fri, delivered Sat morning).

I haven't got anywhere local to go fabric shopping Sad

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 21:10

Based on your posts, it's probably just as well you can't pop in to Abakhan etc as you'd soon be bankrupt! Grin

I'd never get round to phoning an order in, working all week (childminder) and then family life at the weekend. It is the internet which tempts me, in the evening after the children are in bed.

OP posts:
Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 21:11

Although, on your recommendation, maybe I'll have a little look at the website (notepad handy) Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 21:15

Ooooooh, you can email orders...............

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 21:21

Grin I have no idea what you mean Wink

Original poster
ModerationInEverything · 26/04/2015 21:24

While I have you here, oh wise one, can you advise what sort of lining doesn't fray too badly? And isn't too static-y?

OP posts:
lucysmam · 26/04/2015 22:08

Fabricland have Habutae silk (but it's polyester) on their website for just over a quid a metre. I've been using that for the Elsa dresses. It still frays though & normal pins seem to mark it so i've pinched some bridal pins which are finer from dp's aunt. A light cotton might be ok. I've always lined satin with satin or polyester lining though so have no experience with that.

Pop another thread up, lavender or someone else who knows will be along.

(I've never been called wise before Grin )

lucysmam · 27/04/2015 07:45

I'm getting the girls ready for school atm but had a thought last night - if the bodice isn't four pieces, how I told you to do it won't work! (it'll work for the skirt though).

I'll have a look at it again when i get in. Smile