Children’s Corner Katina Modification:Spring Flowers

Children’s Corner Katina

Let the spring sewing begin! For the past few weeks, Kentucky weather has been insanely good. Like put on your shoes, run outside and play good. I’m not sure how long this could possibly last. I’m quite certain we’ll be paying for it with city-debilitating ice storm soon but for now, I’ll join the weather and sew like its pretty outside.

****update****it started snowing before I even managed to proofread and publish this post 🙄

When I originally eyed this fabric, I was not entirely sure what voile was. I knew I’d felt it before, but I could not remember what it felt like. After consulting friends, the internet and my children’s closet, I determined I was brave enough to give sewing with it a shot. If you’re not sure what it feels like, It’s feels the same as Swiss Dot…so a looser weave, shear, flow-y fabric.

My original intent had been to sew a Bijoux Museum Dress with this fabric. However, after washing it and playing with it (Maria wore it as a cape,) that is just not what it was meant to be. The embroidery was not going to work with the neckline of a museum dress. I ended up choosing to do the Children’s Corner Katina and am so pleased with that choice.

First, I constructed the bodice using swiss edging, entredeux, and pima batiste. I reinforced the batiste with baby interfacing. As always, my main tip for sewing with very delicate fabrics and edgings is to use this stitch n ditch behind your sewing.

This Swiss galloon was a glorious bonus gift from one of my previous Farmhouse Fabric orders and made for adorable straps. The one I linked is not exactly the same, but very similar. I always love swiss galloon but almost never know what to do with it. Straps seemed like an ideal option. The buttons are these beautiful mother of pearl squares. For some reason square buttons are my jam right now.

I added the same entredeux and edging to the hem of the dress after much deliberation. I actually hemmed a plain hem first by sewing the lining to the dress, hated the way it hung, and did it again.

I’m not sure why, but this was one of those indecisive dresses for me. Most often, I go into a make with a very clear, concise plan. I execute the plan and then I’m proud of my ability to make the things in my head into real life. In this case, not so much. The fabric just told me what it wanted to be; I tried to listen and hang on for the ride.

If you know me, that is not how I operate. I like plans, lists, schedules and structure. This was a bit of a mental stretch but fun none-the-less.

So; I suppose the moral of this story is: if the fabric isn’t going to be what you want it to be, don’t make it be. That’s about as philosophical as I get…. my version of “to be or not to be.” Shakespeare, sewing style 😂.