Ruffles and Rosettes

When I first got started sewing this spring I started out with the 20 min skirt.  I made a matching set for my friend's six year old and six month old girls.  She loved it so much that when she saw a magazine that had a baby wearing a onesie with stitched on ruffles with rosettes on the bodice and hairbow that she asked me if I could make it.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I said yes!

I did not know that ruffles are apparently the bane of many sewers existence.  And to top it off, the ruffles were sewn onto a jersey knit onesie.  Oh yeah, and the directions in the publication were this:

"Stitch along the ruffles approximately 1/4" from the bottom edge to make sure the fabric doesn't fray too far."

After a few frustrating trial and errors on making the ruffles, I opted for an old fashioned approach.  I pinned the fabric into the ruffles where I wanted them.  Sometimes it's a crummy deal being anal and symmetrical, because that was no easy task to get them 'just right'.

Single rosette w/pin backing.  Multiples are attached to aligator clip

The rosettes were a lot more fun.  When the directions call for a hot glue gun, I'm all over that!  I decided to embellish the first set of rosettes to match the set of skirts with buttons and fish rocks.  The large rosette for the older girl is probably my favorite of all.

Tightly twisted rosettes.  Maroon buttons in the center.  The single has a clear fish pebble glued on top of the button.

Favorite rosette with fish pebble glued on top of maroon button

So I did it!  One more thing on my growing 'can do' list for sewing.  My experienced sewing friend says that I can do anything now if I can make ruffles.

I don't know about 'anything' but maybe some vintage clothes from my mom's high school patterns might be kinda fun!