Today I’m taking part in the lovely Jamie from Scattered Thoughts Of A Crafty Mom’s Holiday Sewing Blog Tour. There are lots of great inspirational Christmas sewing projects over there so be sure to check them out! I love Jamie’s blog. Such a clever and talented lady she is , always coming up with great sewing tutorials on a weekly basis and beautifully photographed too.. If you don’t follow her, you should!
I have to admit that I went to JoAnn’s Black Friday sale last week at 6AM. Well, I did have a good excuse to be out so early. I had to drop my son off at his friend’s so he could go on a rock climbing trip. There just happened to be a JoAnn nearby, so of course I went! I was planning on making a cozy flannel dress for Gigi and I knew there was a Door Busters sale selling flannels at a dollar seventy five a yard. You have never seen so many crazed looking women in Mumu’s stalking the aisles for pajama fabric. Some were even in wheel chairs and walkers, surrounded by piles of fabrics. Gotta love it!
I emerged in a daze from JoAnn’s three hours later, with piles of my own fabric, bought at rock bottom rates, went to a coffee shop, sat at the counter and had a huge breakfast of corned beef hash & eggs. I had a lovely chat with a woman who collects dresses for disadvantaged little girls First communions at the local church and gave her my card in case she needed some help. You never know who you will meet at at a coffee shop counter! BUT, I still hadn’t found the much coveted plaid flannel fabric. Who would have thought finding simple plaid flannel was so hard? They had foxes, mustaches, more foxes, and well, no plaid in site!
The next day I went to the thrift shop and found an old ladies nightshirt, I knew it would be perfect for her dress!
However, cutting down the shirt was a bit more work than I bargained for. I didn’t use a pattern or draft one. instead ,I draped it onto my size 5 dress form which is just a little bigger than Gigi is now which is much easier than making a pattern. I had to first make the neckline smaller so I brought up the shoulder seams to remove about 4 inches from the neckline. Then I draped the bodice onto my dress form and created a much smaller bodice. But I had to get rid of the gathered part on the back yoke, since I was going to add a gathered skirt at the waist instead.
I drafted a new sleeve from scratch, then traced it, slashed and spread it to create a puffy sleeve, and shortened it to create a 3/4 sleeve. I thought I would use the original collar cut down, but it turned out to be a straight shirt collar, even though it resembled a Peter Pan collar. So I had to draft an all new Peter Pan collar. 
I was hoping to use the velvet on the collar but ended up making two arm cuffs for the sleeves instead with it. It had been awhile since I had made an upcycled project and I almost forgot how much I enjoy just diving into a project like this , just going along until I arrive at something cute. I added a little rick rack to the collar.
The original nightshirt had tucks which I love , and I added two more buttons from the bottom of the shirt I had cut off.
I sewed French seams and welt seams on the inside so I wouldn’t have any raw edges and the dress would last a long time.
I also made this little bunting from some Christmas ribbon. It was so easy to make and I think I may make a longer version to put on the Christmas Tree. 
Does she see Santa’s sleigh?
Thanks for stopping by and visiting!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the tour!
Check out these beautiful appliqued stocking with a free pattern from Melly Sews from yesterday’s post!
