Kitschy Coo Skater dress for a very special day

In our church, children are eligible to be baptized when they turn 8 years old. Myra turned 8 last month, and she couldn't wait to be baptized, so we began making arrangements, and I got to sewing.

The first dress I made was for her to wear during the ordinance of baptism itself. She needed a pure white dress, simple and sweet. I chose the Kitschy Coo Skater dress for its simplicity and comfort.

Myra wanted a long skirt, so I lengthened it about 8 inches, but kept the skirt slim. We baptize by immersion, and I didn't want it floating out of the font! It's still quite hot here in Tennessee, so I used the short sleeve. The fabric is a scuba knit from fabric.com, which was just the right weight and nicely opaque.

Even though the dress was simple and white, I still wanted it to be special, so I added some embroidery to the front bodice. It was very difficult to photograph, since it's tone-on-tone, but looked very sweet in person.

Myra was very happy with her baptism dress, and I was so happy I was able to make such a special dress for her. Of course, she needed another dress for after the baptism... I'll post about that one tomorrow.

Kitschy Coo Skater Dress - maximized

Myra has been begging me for months to make her a dress that "goes to the floor", and since she sees me wearing maxi dresses all the time, she was losing patience with me.

Little did she know that while she was sleeping I measured her and lengthened the Kitschy Coo Skater dress to maxi length...

For Myra (who is a petite nearly 6 year old) I added 10 inches to the length of the 5Y/6Y size to get to maxi length. I split the addition in two - adding 4 inches in the body of the skirt and re-drawing the side seam line, then adding the rest of the length (6 inches) to the hem and extending out the side seam, maintaining the flare from there to the hem.

At first, my little princess wasn't thrilled with the ankle length of the skirt. She wanted it to sweep the floor when she wore her high heels!

But in the end, she finds this length a little more practical for vanquishing ninjas and riding her scooter. These are very important princess activities.

The fabric I used is a very soft printed interlock that was given to me by a friend. I wasn't positive Myra was going to love the print, but since this was something of a wearable muslin, I thought I'd give it a go and see. It turns out that she LOVES it. She's in luck because I have at least 4 more yards of it.

Well, it's definitely a success, so once we get settled in Tennessee, I'm going to use it as a base for an Elsa dress. Don't tell Myra!

Lady Skater: Sakura Blossom style

Ever since I saw Amanda's Sakura Blossom Skater peplum, I've coveted this fabric. I finally sprung for it, and less than a day after it arrived at my door, it was a dress.

A crazy fabulous dress!! Lady Skater all the things!!

This time I went with the long sleeve, since we're getting winter here in the mountains now. The fabric is from Kitschy Coo's shop, the Sakura organic cotton jersey, and it is luscious! I had 2 meters, and would have had no trouble getting the long sleeve dress from it had I not been an idiot. As it turns out, I am an idiot, but since this lovely fabric has equivalent stretch in all directions, my error was not fatal.

In fact, my skirt hangs and twirls perfectly, despite the fact that one of the panels was cut on the cross grain. Bet you can't tell which one!

Here's a hint. It's back here. Don't feel bad - I can't tell either. Awesome fabric.

It's been pretty chilly here the last few days, in fact it was 42F during my shoot, so I'm styled for the cold with a hand knit cowl, fleece lined tights and knee high boots. I'm actually perfectly comfortable. It's amazing how cozy this dress is.

I also really love the snug fit of this sleeve. Isn't it gorgeous!? As with the other sleeve lengths, it is finished with a band, which gives it a very nice, snug fit and a very clean line.

This marks my 14th Skater dress. And it won't be my last. Have you sewn up the Lady Skater yet?? Why not???

Lady Skater Pattern Tour: Skater to the Max!

I'm so thrilled to be participating in the Lady Skater Pattern tour! I can't even express how much I love this pattern, both in the adult and kids size ranges. I've made 13 of them! The pattern really is the perfect blank slate. I decided to make this one into a maxi.

Hot Pink, of course. The fabric is an ITY from FabricMart. Just right for a slinky dress.

It didn't take much altering to achieve this look. In fact, pretty much all of the changes are to the skirt. The bodice is sewn exactly per the pattern, although I did omit the sleeve bands and simply hemmed the sleeve.

To make it a maxi, I lengthened the skirt so that it just brushed the floor when I'm not wearing shoes. I tend to hang around my house barefoot, and I didn't want to step on it. I also slimmed the skirt to more of a column shape, using the same method you would use to make it a peplum, except overlapping the pattern at the slashes, instead of spreading it apart.

Of course, a column skirt doesn't leave much room for walking, and I have a long stride.

So I added a center back seam, and inserted a triangular godet from the knee down. It gives the dress some back interest, as well as providing needed walking ease. I used Brooke's great tutorial to get a perfect point at the tip of my godet.

With the addition of the godet, this dress is surprisingly practical. I can do all of the things a busy mom has to do, while still feeling fab.

In fact, I think I'll make a dozen more!!

Well, what are your going to make with the Kitschy Coo Skater Dress pattern?

If you need more inspiration, make sure you are following along with these fabulous ladies!

A series of Skaters; dresses, that is

When I made my Lady Skater Dress, it used so little fabric that I had a huge piece left. LadyKatza mentioned her intention to make matching Skaters for herself and her daughter, and I could not get the idea out of my head.

So I made one for Myra to match mine. I can't even tell you how thrilled she was.

But I couldn't stop at just one. There was enough of the cheetah print ITY to also make one for my niece! Three yards of fabric got me three Skater Dresses - one for me, one for Myra and one for Emma! I love that pattern.

While I was making Skaters anyway, I had to sew up this one from the World of Knights fabric from Kitschy Coo's shop. This fabric -gah! Myra and I are in complete agreement in our absolute love for it. I used yellow ribbing for the bands, but there are so many colors in the print, you could go with pretty much anything.

Since the print is directional, it does take a wee bit more yardage to get things to line up properly, but oh, it is so worth the trouble! Myra loves this dress. I love that she identifies most strongly with the (slightly effeminate) Knight! Of course, the Princess is actually pretty awesome, too. Look closely and you see her saving herself from a tower and riding her own noble steed, thankyouverymuch. This is the ultimate Girl Power Princess fabric.

Of course, the slinky ITY version is the perfect ballerina dress. Can you believe that 5th position? She's a natural.

So, with these three dresses, I have now sewn an even dozen Skater Dresses in various sizes, and I have another cut out and ready to sew. After all, I need something to show you for...

The Lady Skater pattern tour!! I'm so thrilled to be participating. Seriously, this is one amazing line up. I can't wait to see what this talented group of ladies come up with. Stick around! It's gonna be awesome.

Kitschy Coo Lady Skater Dress - Peplum style

I know you've all been chomping at the bit to get the new Lady Skater Dress pattern, and you are in luck. It's here!!! And as promised, my first version of the Skater Dress ...

Wait a minute... Yes, that is a peplum top. Using the Skater Dress pattern and Amanda's peplum top tutorial so that I could make my very own Skater Peplum.

 And no, this had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I cut out the bodice first, sewed it up, and THEN realized that I didn't have enough of this argyle print jersey left to cut a skirt. When life gives you short cuts of fabric, make peplum tops.

Isn't the fabric fun!? It came from FabricMart, and when I got it, I thought I'd make kid's stuff with it (In fact I did make Myra some leggings - which I why I ran short for the Skater skirt.) Then Carolyn made it into a fabulous cardigan, and I realized that it was actually all mine, and the kids were SOL. I win!!

I think the fact that I was watching the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland may have also spoken to my fabric choice. And I love it!!

So, what are you waiting for?? The pattern is out!! Go, get it!!! And should you like a Skater Peplum of your own, I did use Amanda's tute, slashing and spreading the skirt to a circle skirt as she describes. I even used the same length (8 inch pattern piece, with a 5/8 hem so the finished length is 7 inches). No go! Sew up some Skaters!!

Kitschy Coo Skater Dress - All grown up!

If you've been online in the last couple of months, you've seen the teasers for the new Adult version of Kitschy Coo's Skater Dress. I've been chomping at the bit to get my hands on this pattern, so when Amanda asked if I was willing to test it, I might have jumped out of my chair and squealed.

I know, right?? I think it's the perfect dress.

And I may have taken a ridiculous number of pictures of it, so be warned.

Kitschy Coo Spy Girl.

This is actually my second version. I'll show you the first one I made when the pattern is released. It's fun. I did make some minor alterations, but the pattern has since been modified. Since the changes I made won't be relevant to the new version, I'm not even going to tell you about them. They were extremely minor.

I love the way Amanda has the sizing done on this dress. The sizes are 0-8 and based on your high bust and high waist measurement. For reference, I have a 33 inch high bust, so I made the size 3. Busty girls, hold on to your hats - I didn't do an FBA!!! There is definitely some negative ease in the bust area, but the dress is flattering and comfortable, so I'm not changing a thing.

The fit overall is fabulous. Flattering and body skimming. I made this version in a thin ITY, and as you can see, it slides right over my lumps and bumps without clinging. The waistline is at the natural waist, and the skirt flares from the waist to just skim the abdomen and hips.

I've already worn it twice since making it last week, and I absolutely love it. It looks amazing (if I do say so myself) and is completely comfortable. I feel like I'm swanning about in my nightgown. And nevermind that it was super easy to sew! I made this dress in about an hour, cut to hem. Seriously, awesome. I can't wait for the release, so you can sew it too!!

ETA: It's here!!! Buy it now!!

Kitschy Coo Skater Dress Flutter Sleeve, final edition with free downloadable pattern!

Well after three trial Skater Dresses, I finally cut into the fabulous Bambi organic cotton jersey from Kitschy Coo's shop.

Myra says it is the best dress ever, and I am inclined to agree.

Could the little deers and bunnies be any cuter??? I think not.

The flutter sleeve makes me insanely happy. I'm sure y'all are tired of hearing about it, but I am pleased with how it all worked out.

It's pretty from the back, too.

So, would you like to make your own? I've put together an honest to goodness PDF pattern and tutorial for you. I considered publishing all the details in a blog post, but I thought it would be easier to have something you could just print out and keep with your pattern. So here it is...

Click here to download the pattern piece.

Click here to download the full tutorial.

This is my first time doing this, so I'm sure we'll have a bug or two. Please email me at katiedeshazer (at) gmail (dot) com if you have any trouble with the files or the pattern itself.

Now go forth! Make Flutter Sleeve Skater Dresses! And if you do, please let me know!! Send me an email or leave me a comment on this post. I'll be stalking the Kitschy Coo Flickr group with hope in my eyes.

Myra thinks these flowers will look nice with your new dress.