my washi dress

**The Brown Needle is now Sewlio. As of 5/1/13, all new blog posts can be found at www.sewliodesigns.com . Hope to see you there!**

When I first saw the Washi Dress pattern, I knew I wanted to make one! They are so cute, and summer is coming. One of my favorite parts about summer is all the casual dresses in my closet. I don't think you can beat a cotton dress for comfort and versatility. I think a little navy sweater would be adorable over this dress for spring.

Washi Dress

The pattern pieces and instructions were super easy to follow. I would say that even a confident beginner could make this dress with ease. While the pattern doesn't include instructions for a lining, the website includes step-by-step video tutorials on how to make this dress with a lining. The videos are incredibly helpful easy to follow.

I chose a sleeveless version of the dress. I used a mustard yellow cotton chevron print I picked up for a great price at a local quilt shop that was going out of business. While I didn't intend the fabric for this dress, I landed on it while browsing through my stash. It is a quilting cotton, but soft and I really thought it would drape well. I chose to make my dress with just a bodice lining instead of a full lining. and I used the same fabric for the bodice lining as I did for the dress. In retrospect, I would choose to line the whole dress instead of just the top. I really think it's necessary, especially with a lighter weight fabric.

The back of this dress is shirred, so there is no need for a zipper (yay!) For me, that was really the draw to this pattern. If you haven't shirred fabric before, you definitely shouldn't let that deter you- it's fun and kind of magical. Really. A zipper is definitely a run-for-the-hills deterrent. The pattern gives thorough instructions for this. Piece of cake. I promise.

If I were to make this dress again- and I will- I think I would leave out the keyhole in the neckline, make it a maxi dress and use a double gauze or voile. It definitely needs a much more drapey fabric. I do not have a stick figure and the pleating in the front provides me with curves in places that would make strangers ask when the baby is due.... Ahem. No, thank you, on the awkwardness.

Since it is March- the end of the sunless season and, as my hubby puts it, have legs that look like I'm wearing white tights, I will spare you the blinding pictures of me wearing the dress. Maybe in August. Only maybe.

i'd rather be quilting....

**The Brown Needle is now Sewlio. As of 5/1/13, all new blog posts can be found at www.sewliodesigns.com . Hope to see you there!**


I sew nearly every day. I love to sew. I love to quilt. I love to create. One thing I really struggle with is blogging my creations and the processes that I go through to make them. I like blogging, but I'd rather be sewing.

In the past few months, I have really neglected my blog, but I have spent many hours writing and testing those patterns that you are all waiting so patiently for. In any case, I haven't neglected my sewing machine one bit! Part of that is due to my MAJOR sewing machine upgrade that happened in October. See.... I haven't even told you all about that! And that was HUGE!

I'm now sewing with a Janome 7700 and I am so in love with it. I consider it part of the family, and if it were practical, I would take it with me everywhere I go. I wouldn't leave it home alone. I wouldn't leave my kids home alone, right? I mean, it's not able to protect itself in an emergency. It's just a baby. I should probably name it... I digress....

Since that lovely October day when my Janome 7700 came into my life, I have made many, many things. These are the things that I haven't blogged about:

• three finished quilts
• two casserole carriers
• a Washi Dress
• two throw pillows
• a Noodlehead Sidekick Tote
• an Art Student Tote
• a laptop bag

There might be more, but this is all I can remember right now. I'm going to get them all posted.
Starting today.

This is the laptop bag that I made last week. I didn't use a pattern for this. I took measurements of my laptop, decided what shape I wanted the bag to be and just wend for it. I really like how it turned out. I have had the transistor fabric for a while. It was one of those things I bought because I really liked it, but had nothing in mind to use it for. I think that it is perfect for this bag.

The bag has a layer of batting and some heavy weight interfacing. I also wanted it to have a separate pocket for other things, whether it be my cord, or in this case, a book, sketch pad and pencils. Figuring out how to place that divider was tricky, but I like a challenge, especially when it's finished!