Whenever I want to sew something for the kids, I pretty much always start with my Ottobre magazines to choose a pattern. But for Myra's Easter dress, I hit my much neglected envelope patterns. I've got some really cute patterns in there! I chose one that she is just about to grow out of, but that I really wanted to sew, and which had a midriff band that I could decorate with some crocheted flowers.
This is
Simplicity 2767. It is a seriously adorable Project Runway design. The basic dress has neck and midriff bands with gathers at center front. The skirt options are a basic dirndl or a bubble and there are three different sleeves as well as a sleeveless option. The pattern also includes several decorative additions, all of which are darn cute.
The pattern includes lining instructions and has a lapped zipper, which I didn't follow, although they were really quite good. I elected to go with an invisible zip (as I had one that matched in the stash), so I had to construct the dress differently than instructed. The outer fabric is an embroidered eyelet gingham from my stash. I think I bought it planning to make a summer blouse for myself, but it was just a perfect match for the crocheted flowers, so Myra got it.
Here is the back. I like the sash, although I wish I had gone with my gut and made it wider. I love a big fluffy bow and this one is a little anorexic. The zipper went in reasonably well, considering I have three seams and the check pattern to match. I ended up having to sacrifice pattern matching in order to get the seams to align perfectly. The check pattern is so fine, the jog there is less obvious than a seam mismatch would have been.
Inside, I built a lot of structure and swish into this dress. It is lined and underlined with a polyester twill that has a lot of body. It also happens to be a bit sparkly. Myra loves that, and you can see the slight sparkle through the eyelets in the gingham. It's a fun effect.
The pattern has an optional net ruffle that is attached to the lining between the lining and skirt. Instead of net, I went ahead and used the same twill as the lining/underlining. It is very crisp, so it makes a nice firm ruffle that gives the skirt a lot of twirliness. It also rustles beautifully when it moves. I love how luxurious it sounds and feels. And net is scratchy. This is nice and soft.
And the sleeve. Oh, this adorable sleeve! Can I tell you how much I love it??!? It just screams ultimate girliness. Pleated and puffed! And bound. I love a bound sleeve. I think they are so much nicer than a stitched on band or a plain hem, particularly on a puffy sleeve like this one. I took a few pictures while I was binding this sleeve. If there is an interest, I'd be happy to write up a little tutorial. Let me know.
Myra loves her new dress. She was quite put out when I made her take it off after our little photo session. I'm glad it is a winner. It was a fun sew!
Next up, another installment in my Wardrobe Basics - the tie waist sweater! I think I'm going to alternate a Wardrobe Basics project and an "other" project from here on out. I'm down to the more complicated Basics and I need a little break between them. I also have a bit more Easter sewing to do...
