Last year I picked this up in a Charity Shop. When Jess asked for a pink princess dress for her birthday, I sewed her this one.
She loved it, especially the pockets and the decorative buttons. So I made another, in a Pound Fabric safari print.
When I asked what she wanted for this year's birthday, she requested another princess dress. Her birthday is not for a fortnight, but I have already made her a summer dress, in the same pattern.
This time, instead of binding the neck and armholes, I fully lined the top in plain blue fabric*. I did bind the neck and pocket tops though, and added some vintage blue buttons. The hem and pockets were sewn with a decorative stitch on the machine
I added 1.5cm to the side seams, to allow for growth. She's really thrilled with this one too - and last summer's frocks still fit. She twirls happily in them!
Such an easy pattern, using barely a metre of fabric. As the Pound Fabric cloth often comes in 'minimum 2 metre' lengths, I have leftovers. I hope to make a dress for my little great niece too. *
Lesley asked the other day "Do Brides still have 'Going Away dresses?' Well I have kept mine for nearly 46 years. Until last week, when I dismantled it, and used the plain cotton lining to line this dress for Jess. How's that for creative recycling? I knew it would be useful eventually!
Last year I picked this up in a Charity Shop. When Jess asked for a pink princess dress for her birthday, I sewed her this one.
Those are all delightful dresses. And thanks for the link to Lesley - I didn't know she's started a new blog.
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DeleteAnd now I see it's not so new!
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DeleteWhat pretty dresses. Jess looks thrilled, she is so lucky to have such a clever Grandma. Regards Sue H
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DeleteHow lovely! Brings back memories of making dresses for my grand daughter (now in her 30s!).
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DeleteA very pretty dress for a lovely little girl. :)
ReplyDeleteShe is a treasure
DeleteWhat a beautiful model and dress. She looks so pleased and the colours really suit her. Clever Grandma! Catriona
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DeleteAww, she looks absolutely adorable. Isn't it nice to see little girls in pretty dresses again. We were in Booths café earlier and a little toddler was running around trying to evade his granny, and he was wearing the most lovely little romper suit. So much better than seeing them all in little jeans and t-shirts ... which of course have their place occasionally.
ReplyDeleteI still have the smocked dress with Peter Pan collar I made her Mum, but I don't think she'd like that as much
DeleteThose dresses are beautiful and how resourceful of you too. Jess looks a real cutie in them and doing a twirl.x
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DeleteYou sew so beautifully! When you mentioned having leftovers I immediately thought of contrasting sleeves, pockets and collars to use up the extra fabric, even a bodice. I don't sew but I do mend and I like to make more out of less! JanF
ReplyDeleteMending is a great skill. More of us need to do that to extend the life of things
DeleteWhat a lovely little dress and Jess looks thrilled with it. I can't remember what happened to my going away outfit, I do know I wore it to a friend's wedding 2 years later to the exact date, but after that no clue! But it was only a size 8 and after having Natalie never went back to that size. Xx
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get into mine after I had Steph!
DeleteThat is a perfect pattern for a little girl. I'm sure the pockets will be a hit, too. I have no photograph of my going away outfit, 55 years ago. I had made a tan suit in a soft fabric, and a blouse to go with it in a creamy butter yellow. Some of that fabric was then used to cover a beehive shaped straw hat to match. Hats were the thing back then! I don't remember ever wearing it again or what happened to it. We lived briefly in northern Italy and then came to Canada.
ReplyDeleteThat hat sounds amazing!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous new dress!!
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DeleteI forgot all about a going away dress, until after the marriage ceremony. In the couple of hours between the afternoon ceremony and evening reception (it was a complicated day) I had to iron the only dress I had with me; a casual denim one! Still, it was more 'me' than some flowery confection with hat'n'all...
ReplyDeleteWe also forgot a decoration the top of the cake. My brother was despatched to buy something and came back with a miniature china piano and a pair of mathematical compasses...unusual but apt.
Your cake topper sounds perfect
ReplyDeleteA happy twirling little girl,in her dress made with love, by her grandma.
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