Andrea of The Train to Crazy has just released her first pattern and it is going on a blog tour--first stop moi! First of all. Let me tell you how pleased I was when I realized her blog tour buttons matched the dress I made. Not planned, but very pleased. I might have a minor obsession of color coordination, I think I get it from my dad.
Second of all, this has got to be the perfect little/medium/big girl summer dress. When I began printing out the pattern I thought, boy that printer is still a goin'!? So, I promised Divine I would make the dress for her if she would tape all the paper together for the pattern. She was on board and it was totally worth it!
Then I got out a couple of different fabrics and asked her which one she wanted and she said BOTH! Sure thing. We sat down together at the computer and decided exactly how she wanted it, the options are almost endless: Maxi length to tunic, long sleeve, short sleeve, cap sleeve, flutter sleeve, double sleeve, appliques, 4 types of pockets, hood....
This is what she decided on: Short dress, cap sleeves, kangaroo pocket in contrasting fabric. The only changes I made were: adding a band on the cap sleeve (because my feed dogs ate a hole in the fabric as I was hemming the sleeve, naughty dogs) and I did two rows of elastic and put them 1/2" lower. I made a size 9 for my almost 11-year-old because (most) my kids are on the slender side, so the lowered waistline probably won't be necessary for most.
It really is the perfect summer dress, especially for a bit older girls who are trying to dress modestly. Easy on, easy off, easy to care for, and so fun for the girls to "choose their own adventure!" I know the rest of the girls are going to have fun deciding what they want.
that is adorable!! it's harder to find patterns for older kids and my girls are almost 12 and 9. this is adorable! how fun to 'design' it yourself!
ReplyDeleteIs that knit fabric? Where did you get it? Love those prints!
ReplyDeleteLove those prints :)
ReplyDeletebeth--you're exactly right. I need to sew more for my older girls, but many patterns are too old looking. Andrea's pattern gets it just right.
ReplyDeleteabcgirl--yes, it's knit. This pattern will only work with knit because there are no closures on it. I got the fabric from remnants of a clothing factory.
Very cute dress!
ReplyDeleteChoose your own adventure! That's awesome! (or "choo"se) ha) I wish I could hire Divine to tape pattern pieces together for me. :) Love the dress!
ReplyDeleteOh, Emily! You are so clever! :) And I'm sure Divine would say she's available :)
ReplyDeleteI love your version of the signature dress! I was fortunate to be a pattern tester for Andrea and have been itching to use the final pattern! You've got me inspired now! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI adore your version. And the sleeves are a happy accident. They are perfect! Thanks so much for the great review!
ReplyDeleteGasp! <3 this so much. We like comfy dresses over here and this definitely looks comfy and is super cute to boot!
ReplyDeleteLooove it and love that Divine picked out the options! She did a great job, it's perfect. I wonder if Em is old enough to do that...I'll try it. Could end up with a crazy-looking dress but I'm sure she'd be over the moon about it! ;)
ReplyDelete1. Love the dress!
ReplyDelete2. I think Divine looks a lot like Azure in the third photo down.
3. Colour coordination indeed - your wall matches Divine's dress!
Kit--you're right about that photo of Divine looking like Azure! And we had to go to my MIL's for the matching wall ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely dress! I like how you involve your kids in the sewing process. I want to do that more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pattern! So versatile, and I love your version! Looking forward to seeing the other possibilities with this pattern during the Blog hop!
ReplyDeleteFun dress and I L.O.V.E. Divine's braided hair. So so cute!
ReplyDelete