What Micheline wrote in her post, Linen Closet Confessions, is true – we are opposites in many ways. That’s what makes us such good friends and business partners. Mich brings skills to the business table I’ll never possess and she’s also taught me some pretty cool skills. Sewing is one of them.

In order to stay home with my kids my husband and I agreed to make certain sacrifices (aka living frugally on a single income, lol!) I’d invested in a great book, The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn–which I’ll blog about later— and learned a lot of thrifty tricks to save money. One of those tricks was making rather than buying gifts.

This is the pattern I used and it is actually still available through this shop on Etsy >>> MonicaCarmel

I have two beautiful nieces who, in 2004, would have been about five. Wanting to make them something pretty for Christmas I had the bright idea to make them each a dress. The dresses were Mich’s suggestion (or at least I like to blame it on her ) and she told (actually I’m pretty sure the word is “promised”) me it would be easy-peasy. She even offered to help me pick out the pattern and fabric (that part was actually fun).

To make a long story short, my first sewing project was absolutely insane (at least I thought so); but somehow I’d managed to complete two full-length dresses completely overlaid in organza. Each dress was zippered, had a lined bodice, full, pleated skirt and (in for a penny, in for a pound) matching hats. Contrary to Micheline’s assertion, it wasn’t easy, but somehow I managed to hide that fact from her (at least I like to think I did) and the end the results were impressive. Most importantly, my nieces loved their dresses.

One of my nieces modeling the dress I made for her so many years ago.

Over the years I’ve sewn pants, robes, ties and (macho racing car) aprons for my boys. Having mastered the French seam I’ve also become pretty good at sewing curtains, pillows and comforter covers, the evidence of which can be found throughout my house. But to this day I’ve never made another dress. Somehow I doubt I ever will.

~ Trina

If you ever decide to tackle sewing a little girl’s dress be sure to check out the fun fabrics and dress ideas at this sweet little Etsy shop I found >>> Trendy Sisters