Despite my posts being about my stuff most of the time, I actually make quite a fair bit of stuff for the kiddos. Making little dresses are not any "easier" in terms of construction, but I can see why a lot of sewists have a preference for making them. For one, no curves. Yep, no faffing around with SBA/FBA, sway-back adjustments, 4 sizes difference between top and bottom etc ... and kids are ALWAYS photogenic. For real. They could be pulling the goofiest faces, having pre-breakfast grumps or just not staying still and they still look good in photos. Or maybe I'm obsessed with my own offsprings' perfection hence the bias.
Ok, I've stopped laughing. Mum jokes ... heh.
Anyhow, TADAH!! It's quite a different style from the usual strappy summery sundresses that I usually make for her. Thought she needed something a little more appropriate for church that doesn't need a cardi to cover up.
Nani Iro for the bodice, a plain sky-blue double gauze for the skirt and ties, white voile for bodice lining. The Nani Iro was originally from a peasant dress that I had made for her earlier on, but she has since outgrown in ... *cries ... why do they grow up so fast*. That dress was deconstructed and because it was a maxi, I had just enough to cut out this bodice. Yay for upcycling! Also, it's the same fabric as the one I've used here. Another pair of matching outfits!
I love the sleeve details on the VFT Maisie and it's actually a lot easier than it looks! I don't really enjoy sewing plackets, they actually scare me. But the instructions for these are so clear, really a beginner could do it. I'd actually contemplated not doing the sleeves because of all the detail, but I would have seriously regretted it and would have ended up unpicking the sleeves and doing it anyway. It makes such a difference!
The front placket is an additional bit of frill that I've added on. It's super simple. All I did was add a rectangle of skirt fabric, sew on some of the crochet lace and 3 hand-sewn buttons. No pattern needed. The hardest part was making sure the buttons are in line! I don't think they are, but ... hey, I tried. And that's what matters, right? Right.
Another lovely detail (I'm just praising my own handiwork aren't I) is the exposed lace zipper at the back. The pattern includes instructions on how to install this on, but I ended up doing it my own way. Just a personal preference since I have sewn lace zippers on little pouches before. It adds a special touch to the dress and is a tad easier to install than a normal/invisible zipper.
Oh hey! Another small something added to the dress! Yes, I printed my own labels because I'm narcissistic. It's a dog under a tree!
