ZipperLESS-Doo-Dah Dress {PR&P season 6, week 1}

ZipperLESS Doo-Dah, ZipperLESS-ay....

{Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-Ay}

There's no package in the mail today.

{My, oh my, what a wonderful day!}

Sewing friends ask us, "What went astray?"

{Plenty of sunshine heading my way}

ZipperLESS Doo-Dah, ZipperLESS-ay.

{Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-Ay}

"Will there not be a sew-along entry?"

{Mister Bluebird on my shoulder}

It's the truth! It's actual! Everything's UNsatisfactual!

{It's the truth! It's actual! Everything is satisfactual!}

ZipperLESS Doo-Dah, ZipperLESS-ay....

{Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Zip-a-Dee-Ay}

When will those zippers come our way?!?!?

{Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!}

Well, Project Run and Play has officially begun its sixth season, and we are thrilled to join the linky party sew-along friends {ie: with other non-competitors} with a few entries of our own in the upcoming weeks....with a remix of The Cottage Mama's Party Dress {a free downloadable pattern}. While we had not sewn this particular pattern before, we had made a Shortcake Reversible Romper and Janey Jumper. We made the party dress in a size 2T, in the hope that EA could wear it well into the spring / summer months ahead.

Our remixes included:
1. Decreased the width of the sash to a completed two inch sash {as opposed to a three inch one}.
2. Shortened the length of the sash by twelve inches {70" rather than 82"}.
3. Created DMC handbraided, button loops, instead of fabric ones.

4. Changed the skirt portion of the dress to a circle skirt (1/2 of the given circumference .... losing much of the fullness of a circle skirt). In order to accomplish this we used Dana's Circle Skirt tutorial as well as Fickle Sense (which enabled us to lessen the fullness of the skirt)

5. Detached approximately 1/4 of the circle skirt...to create a panel insert. Actually - three panels.
6. Eliminated the contrast band at the base of the dress.

!!!!! Then, all sewing ceased....

missing the integral part to our 'remix': FOUR ZIPPERS !!!!!

 __________________________________________________________________

Now, as Paul Harvey would say is "the rest of the story....."

We planned our remix to include three interchangeable panels - to allow more 'flexibility' in when/where our niece could wear the creation.  To do this, we were to attach the panels using separating zippers as the attachment mechanism. Our downfall: waiting a week after the announcement of challenges before ordering our zippers. Who would have thought 14" lightweight, separating zippers in a natural color would be difficult to find - in stores OR online!?!?!? Well you better believe they are!!

So, we readied the dress to the zipper attachment stage - finishing the bodice {sans buttons}, circle skirt, and all three panels. Then, we waited.....and waited.....and waited.

It seemed as if zippers taunted us at each and every turn!! The photo below is what Emily caught sight of while shopping after Christmas (sorry for the poor quality - phone photo). Not that it was exactly what we were aiming for, but it was a reminder nonetheless!

With less than 4 days before the deadline, we gave up having a modeled dress for this post. And then we waited some more.....still hopeful they might arrive.

Obviously, the zippers failed to arrive before deadline, but we wanted to share our woes with other understanding sewing enthusiasts!

OUR INTENTION was to attach panels {three interchangeable ones} using separating zippers. This was our first attempt to sew a zipper, and we thought - why not try to sew an even four??

This remix would have created three very different styles of dresses :

"Look One" was a fancy/party dress {one with "heirloom" stitching and tucks, pleats, etc}

Stitching included a chain stitch, lazy daisies, French knots, and bullions.

 

We pinned the panel in this style, just for you to get a semi-feel for the idea of what might have been.

"Look Two" was a casual dress {with layered applique and machine topstitching}.

"Look Three" was a "just for fun" dress {using a fun, bold print to set off the khaki dress and cream sash}.

Needless to say, this wasn't the way we wanted to start our PR&P season 6 sew-along. All was not lost, though! The good news is: Week Two's "Polka Dots and Stripes" is complete {minus the modeled photos}.... and we are looking forward to sharing it with you soon!!

Do you have any plans to sew-along with us PR&P this season? We'd love to see your creations in the linky party in the upcoming weeks!

**Oh, and when those zippers DO arrive, it will be a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah sort of day

{and we'll be sure to share the finished product with you}....