Making a Jingle Dress for my toddler HELP!

[racchr]

Ok so i have never really sewn before... I have but nothing like a dress. My baby is 16 months and im making her first jingle dress. Ive heard that cotton is the best material to use.. (is this correct) Is there a place to get a SIMPLE pattern to follow?? Also i am looking for the name of a certain "no sew" material that comes in different colors so that i can cut out a design to iron on the front. Anyone know what this is called?? And how many jingles should i use... Any tips on making this dress would be greatly appreciated!

[miikkamonster]

cotton is a good starter method> also you can just take a look at any pattern, which ever one looks closest to the style of dress you are making will do. Another way is just tracing a sun dress of hers. and just follow the sew lines the same. its pretty simple once you cut it out.the no sew is called heat and bonde. but its not a fabric itself its kind of like wax paper with adhesive attached. you draw your design cut it out iron it on any fabric you want then iron that on to your dress.And you definitely want to stitch around the design to secure it on. hopefully this helps. oh and for an amount of jingles buy a of small 50pk and lay them out on your dress to figure out your amount.

[blueberry111]

Ok so i have never really sewn before... I have but nothing like a dress. My baby is 16 months and im making her first jingle dress. Ive heard that cotton is the best material to use.. (is this correct) Is there a place to get a SIMPLE pattern to follow?? Also i am looking for the name of a certain "no sew" material that comes in different colors so that i can cut out a design to iron on the front. Anyone know what this is called?? And how many jingles should i use... Any tips on making this dress would be greatly appreciated!

The jingles... if it makes noise, it is a jingle dress! For the cones, do not buy mcpherson's! They rust and get flattened far too easily. Missouri Rivers from crazy crow would be a better choice because they tend to last longer and don't rust at all in my experience.
Felt is great for applique as it won't unravel.
Gabardine, cotton, velvet, silk, whatever you can afford is best. Cotton would be most easily washable for little kids.
For patterns, check JoAnns and those types in toddler sections for a dress. Most patterns are very simple there, you can ask for help from the people in the store if you have one near you about what pattern would work best for you.
Good luck, feel free to reply if any more questions.

[racchr]

Wow thanks! So do i sew the jingles on before i sew the dress or what would be the best way?? Also LEGGINGS!?!? no idea how to make them... and can i make them out of my cotton fabric?

[blueberry111]

Wow thanks! So do i sew the jingles on before i sew the dress or what would be the best way?? Also LEGGINGS!?!? no idea how to make them... and can i make them out of my cotton fabric?

the method i use is take a ribbon and sew the top part on to the dress and the bottom part you stick the jingles on and sew them that way, i have never had a jingle fall off if you double reinforce the stitching. i do this by hand but you may be able to do this with machine.
leggings are best backed by stiff felt found in craft stores by the sheet a dollar each. you can attach them by velcro when they are completed. simply sew the material as wished, then back it with the felt and sew a back layer onto that felt so it isnt scratchy. like a sandwich. again, any fabric will do as long as it is backed by something stiff. it can be beaded as well, but for beading you would need two layers of stiff felt for reinforcement. the leggings can look like tubes but it is very pleasing to give it that "cowboy boot" curve on the back like a V. Make them somewhat tight but not to the point of discomfort and they should neither fall nor rise up.