2 New Dresses
 

Hey guys! I made 2 simple dresses today to get back in the sewing groove. I think both of these will be for Katie Scarlett. There are a few things I still want to work on and change. I am so OCD when I make things I want it to be the best I can do before sharing it, ya know what I mean? I am picky I guess.

For the first one, I sewed on the bow like I have been doing. But for the second one, I am trying to make the bows detachable for machine washing. Even using Fray Check, I have noticed that sometimes the bow may still fray after a couple of washings. I am trying snaps out. I got this nifty snap tool at Joann. I like it, but I am not sure if it is best. Anyone have ideas for removable bows? What notions would work best? I thought of snaps first. But not sure if snaps would be the best. The snap seems to 'pull' on the fabric after taking the bow on and off many times. I know I sure wouldn't want that to happen with a dress I donate or make for others. I thought of trying sew on or iron on Velcro. But I am still learning about the various sewing notions out there. Do any of you make your outfits with removable bows? Any ideas on different ways to attach/detach these? Thanks for any help you can give me.

oh girl they are gorgeous, I tried today but life got on the way.. I need not to plan it and just do it..LOL
hugs,

Love the dresses! No advice this time.... I'm having the same dilema with bows. Many have to be sewed on bc their pups may get them off and chew the bows up! So I'm thinking of making bows without a knot, as that seems to be the part that doesn't dry well. Maybe some fancy stitching along the cut edges would help?

Good thinking! I did not even think about pups getting the bows off and chewing them up. I think for now I'll stick with sewing them on. Or make bows out of fabric instead of ribbon. That way they can't fray. I have attached the fabric bows with that liquid stitch stuff and washed it many times and it seems to be really sturdy too. I guess it will be trial and error for a bit. Ah, the joy of learning! ;)

Thanks guys for your comments! :)

Love the dresses. Not sure about the bow part.

I was watching a youtube tutorial on making double loop bows and they took a lighter and went along the edges of the ribbon to heat seal the edges of the ribbon. I used to use the fray check until trying this. It took a little experimentation and you just run the flame across the edge of the ribbon very fast. It works like a charm.
I have tried using snaps and velcro so you can detach the bow..the bows are kind of floppy when I did them with either..sewing seems to be the most secure way to attach them.

Great job on the dresses Amyee! Zhoie has alot of dresses nighties etc., with bows and I've never had a problem with the bows. Although , I've never machined washed her clothes either I hand wash her all clothes in my kitchen sink in dreft, roll in a towel to absorb excess water, then hang or lay to dry. If I want a particular bow to be more stiff...I just put a paper towel under each side and hit a light spray of Stiffen Quik and it's perfect again:thumbup:

Great job! Both are beautiful!:thumbup:

How about making a buttonhole in the bow and putting on a pretty button?
That'll aquaint you with your buttonhole setting on your machine too.:)

beautiful aymee! i have been making my bows out of fabric and then i am putting velcro on the dress and then handsewing the velcro on the bow so it is easy to remove to wash the dress.