I finished altering Cerys's dress for her first day of school on September 13th. If you recall I purchased her dress on this day from a local thrift store. I took a vintage embroidered doily and cut it in half which I sewed onto the dress near the gathered waist using some beautiful ribbon from Stephanie who spoiled me rotten with her fantastic button swap. 
This is my first time using vintage linens to change a thrifted item. I was so proud of myself after I sewed on the first half of the doily. I stood back from the dress, pride brimming at the surface when I realized in shock that I had sewn the doily on backwards. I promptly left the room. I tend to do that with mistakes whether it be a blog post that I accidentally lose because of clicking on "back" instead of "re-edit post" or ones with crafting. I just leave the scene of the crime before I do something drastic with scissors or a baseball bat. I went back the next day and calmly worked my seam ripper on the stitches and began sewing once again. 
I tend to buy practically every piece of vintage linen that I come across unless the price is ridiculously expensive. I buy them in any condition whether they are stained or have holes. This one had a small hole which I mended (hoping to one day learn how to darn) They call these cutter pieces. It usually describes a piece of fabric or linen that has potential for something else but is damaged by holes or stains. This is a lovely example of a great cutter lot for sale on eBay, as is this one.
I embroidered the collar with 2 flowers. It was my first time trying a french knot. The woman giving the directions in my embroidery book said that this was her favorite stitch. Whether her instructions were daft or whether I was daft, it took me at least 10 minutes to figure this innocent little knot out. And when I did figure it out I couldn't begin to describe to you what I changed to make it work. One minute the french knots were just seed stitches and the next they were proper french knots. But I have to agree with her, I love making them.
The embroidery was influenced by my first Japanese book purchase which I found through here. I am lucky enough to live across the water from Kinokuniya which had a million craft books to choose from. I was in heaven. The entire book is filled with embroidery examples.
If someone points me in the right direction of how to read the ISBN # I will include it in the comments. My favorite page is the one full of sweets. Some of the figures in other parts looked hurried but overall I am very happy with the book. Here is a page of flowers that I used for the collar. It is the yellow and green one.
The dress cost $3.00 and the embroidered linen cost at the most $1.00. Not bad for $4.00 and a little bit of sewing, frustration and fun.
I found the ISBN number. It was hidden under the price sticker. # 4-8347-2421-2.
Posted by: Selena | August 22, 2006 at 10:16 PM
What a very pretty dress, you did a wonderful job!
Posted by: monique | August 22, 2006 at 10:32 PM
Super Darling! Nice job!
Posted by: pam | August 22, 2006 at 10:41 PM
Your daughter will look a picture on her first day at school. I haven't bought any Japanese craft books yet but surely I can't hold out much longer!!
Posted by: Sezz | August 23, 2006 at 01:14 AM
So sweet..love the alterations...all GOOD!!
Posted by: Dawn | August 23, 2006 at 04:28 AM
i like the french knots - they are hard to learn! (i just did).
japanese craft books rule! i need to laminate mine so it's easier to wipe the drool off...
Posted by: kirsten | August 23, 2006 at 06:02 AM
What a wonderful idea! I absolutely love the dress. You're daughter will look so pretty in it. Your Japanese book is great! I, too, love vintage linens.
Posted by: Paula | August 23, 2006 at 07:37 AM
I adore the dress! I just stumbled upon your blog, and I love it because you encompass all the things I like--sewing, thrifting, creativity, and aprons!
Posted by: Sharon | August 23, 2006 at 08:33 AM
The dress is lovely! It looks so nice and I love the linens. I'm embroiderying like mad these days... having bought a new Japanese craft book just the other day. If you ever need some embroidery tips let me know and we'll meet at the food court at Uwijamaya!
Posted by: dawn | August 23, 2006 at 09:18 AM
I LOVE the dress! It is so sweet and Cerys will looks so cute in it! Love the embroidery - you did a great job and those linens are so sweet. Love that Japanese book too! Great job!
Posted by: Jackie | August 23, 2006 at 10:34 AM
What a wonderful job you did Selena! I love the colour of the dress also!
Thanks for the ISBN#, the book looks great.
Posted by: Veronica TM | August 23, 2006 at 01:04 PM
It turned out beautifully!
Posted by: moki | August 23, 2006 at 01:40 PM
What a creative way to beautify a thrifted dress!! It turned out darling. I too have a collection of "cutter pieces" waiting to be used and I love this idea- thanks for sharing it!!
Posted by: Natasha | August 23, 2006 at 01:51 PM
really lovely work!! Cerys will be stunning on her first day!! :)
Posted by: kristin | August 23, 2006 at 01:59 PM
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sweet. I LOVE it !! I miss dressing up my girls. Enjoy it while you can !! Clarice
Posted by: clarice | August 23, 2006 at 02:01 PM
Wow...that dress is absolutely DARLING! The embroidered collar is very cute...love it.
Posted by: natalie | August 23, 2006 at 03:02 PM
It's absolutely beautiful. And to think you made it yourself. That really is something to be proud of.
Posted by: Christina | August 23, 2006 at 03:44 PM
I have that exact doiley in the same colours. I bought it from a thrift shop here in Tiny Tassie. Isn't that amazing. I love the Little Red Riding Hood embroidery. So many projects - so little time.
Posted by: littlejennywren | August 23, 2006 at 03:57 PM
What a blessed little girl, to have such a sweet dress to wear! I LOVE the extra stuff you did to make it individual. No one else in the world has a dress like this!
Posted by: Cindy Young | August 23, 2006 at 06:59 PM
This is delightful ! my gosh I love it.
You are brilliant.
Love your new book too !
Cant wait to see what other things you are inspired to do by this !
Posted by: Art Tea Life | August 23, 2006 at 07:59 PM
This is adorable. The embroidery and the use of the linens. My first thought when I saw the embroidery was did you design the pattern. Thanks for sharing the book info. Looks like a lot of really fun and interesting designs.
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Posted by: wholesale fivefour | October 07, 2010 at 09:53 PM
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