Happy national sewing month. I started sewing in honor of my mother.  She learned to sew in Ghana, West Africa. In Ghana, sewing is a skill that both men and women learn to do and in fact most of my entire family sews. From my aunts, uncles and cousin, I have always been around the sewing machine. What is interesting is I never thought to sew. I loved sketching and would sketch while my mom sewed. In 2003, my mom died from brain cancer. On the 10^th Mother’s Day without my mom, I decided to take up sewing to feel a closer connection to my mom.  I always say that sewing is the thread that brings us together and I feel her presence each time I sew.

Red was one of my mother’s favorite colors and she would dress me in it often. For my outdooring (A Ghanaian tradition that celebrates the birth of a child) she wore a beautiful red dress and for my first project to celebrate National Sewing Month with Joann fabrics, I thought it would be great to make a dress in all red in honor of my mother. My mom loved sewing dresses and I recall the time she made all the bridesmaid dresses for my aunt’s wedding.

For my fabric I selected a Casa Collection Stretch Satin Fabric in you guessed red and I love it. The stretch is perfect, and color is so bright. I chose McCall’s #M7835 which offers you the opportunity to create your perfect look.

To create my look I sewed pattern pieces for the skirt and ruffle, I sewed the bodice front, back, shoulder piece and sleeves. When I added my sleeves, I didn’t really like how it looked on me, so I decided to make it a puff sleeve.  This was very easy today.

1. Separate sleeve fabric in the center.
2. Pull the bottom ends up to the shoulder portion and tack in place.
3. Add pickups per your taste and tacking in place.

Some additional modifications that I made:

• I added 4 inches on all 3 ruffles. I actually wish that I added some tulle as well and may do so later for a different look.
• I cut the neckline a bit as well to give it more of a sweetheart feel. 

I do wish that I went down a size, as the fabric has a great stretch. So I will more than likely take it apart to take it in for a more fitted look.

Overall, I loved making this dress and the red definitely stood out. It felt regal and I look forward to wearing this dress for my friend’s wedding this year.

This blog post is sponsored by Joann Fabrics #handmademadewithJOANN #ad