Sunday, July 17, 2011

The Garden Party Dress!

UPDATE! I am entering this dress into the "Sew-vivor" competition at Family Ever After! This is one of my favorite dresses from Carla C, a.k.a. The Scientific Seamstress at You Can Make This! I love how the monogram came out, and it sets the dress off so nicely. Haleigh loves the little beaded charm. It's a favorite all the way 'round!
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I made this dress for Haleigh to wear this summer, now that summer is half over! The pattern is one of my favorites and I've made it several times over the years. It also has a sage green gingham peasant top to go under it, but it's been so hot that I let her wear the dress without the top.
Please ignore the cat that is weaving around her legs....!

The top has her monogram in pink. It adds a very special touch!

I made little pleats to gather the skirt to the bodice and for the ruffle at the bottom. I think the pleats are much easier than gathering by pulling a thread.

The pattern also calls for buttons and buttonholes to fasten the over-the-shoulder straps. Not being a fan of making buttonholes, I decided to use mitten clips. I may never make a buttonhole for this pattern again!

The other special detail is a charm with beads that is sewn into the top of the skirt. It's a little surprise detail--I think it's her favorite part of the dress!
The skirt is made of two coordinating fabrics. They're so close in color and design that you can't really see the strip piecing in a photograph. I do love the fabrics though. The dress has four different fabrics and the two skirt fabrics are the only fabrics from the same line. I bought them all at different times then realized they went together when I was searching through my stash looking for fabric to make a summer dress.
I'm linking at Teaching Good Things!

5 comments:

Cyndi Lewis said...

Awesome! It is super cute! I'm taking the plunge and learning to sew clothes this summer so my girls can look cute like that. But I'll start with a skirt.

Suzee said...

That is gorgeous. love all the ruffles. and that little charm sets if off completely! So far I'm making simple things for Zoey, Maybe in a couple years I'll get more detailed like that!

Kathy @ Teaching Good Things said...

That is really beautiful! And so is your model!

Julie Christine said...

Your daughter's dress is adorable. My daughter is almost 18, I wish I could still dress her in a cute dress like this. And mitten clips - how clever!

Dana said...

Thank you for your kind comments, Wantasew! I dread the day when my daughters want to wear what's popular at the mall or with their frineds, instead of what I think they should wear. I'm cherishing every moment!

Thank you, again!

Blessings--
Dana