Sunday, July 27, 2014

KCW Day 7: Self Drafted Girl's Maxi Sundress

Squeaking in just under the Kid's Clothes Week wire a self drafted maxi sun dress. I actually sewed this on Friday, then I stuffed it in the call with my essential worldly possessions and headed for the country, thus the photos on the wide open prairie (or something like that). 
I have a (probably unnecessary) aversion to elastic thread. For some (probably unfounded) reason it seem like a cheap trick, or cheating, to me. I have the (probably unjustified) feeling that it wont hold up. As if my 4 year old who has grown 2 inches since February is going to fit in something I sew for longer than the elastic thread will hold up?! Just the same, I prefer some old school elastic in a casing.


There are many, many cute sundresses out there in the vein of what I wanted for this fabric, but most of them use the (probably harmless) objectionable elastic thread. So I made up my mind to draft my own pattern. Its such a simple dress, I can draft it in a giffy, I wont make a muslin, Ill just cut into it. Then I saw Tashas Hummingbird (of Glitter & Wit) and my conviction wavered a little. Its more or less what I wanted, and used elastic in a casing, and hers is so seriously adorable (I want that fabric Tasha!). I could drop a mere 7 bucks on a pattern and get this thing finished before lunch, or I could draft my own and be up all night sewing in the semi darkness of the kids room adjacent sewing room hoping the whole time that what Im sewing will actually fit. Hmmm, yeah. Ill take the latter. Its KCW after all and I want to stretch my skills just a little bit.

PATTERN: Self drafted based on a dress I saw at Target. It was like $14 and totally worth the time it would have saved, but again, its not about saving time now, is it? The actual bodice is based on the hi/lo dress I made L for Easter. This is a basic sundress an elastic back, gathered skirt, and dust ruffle (do you only call it that on a bed, it sure looks like this ruffle would kick up some dust) at the bottom.  I added hidden loops just inside the back so the straps can be tied behind the neck, or strung through the loops and crossed. I went with a maxi length because I like the drama. I imagine it will prove to be woefully impractical. Hows a girl supposed to climb, run, and roll in the dirt, with all that fabric billowing around her legs. Her current favorite skirt is a floor length, harvest themed, way too big, hand me down, peasant skirt, and she does just fine in it. Post KCW hemming isn't out of the question.

FABRIC: I got this light weight cotton voile from IndianBeautiful Art, and have already made a Tiny Pocket Tank with it. Why shouldnt mama and preschooler match every once in a while. Thats not weirdit's weird isn't it?

FIT: I made this to Ls measurements plus a little for growth. It is already the end of July after all, and it would be awesome if she could still wear it next summer, maybe as a midi length.
I wanted this dress to be an effortless summer staple. Something easy to wear. It is, but it turned out to be a bit less childlike than I intended. I think raising the hem 2 inches, so little toes are actually peeking out, will take care of that. I'm hoping to revisit this pattern before our family beach week with another version and a few tweaks. If I get to it, you'll be the first to know. She can run like the wind in this floor length gown, so its not all bad.

linking to KCW here.

linking to KCCO here.

7 comments:

  1. That's so beautiful! I bet she just loves it!

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    1. Thanks Debbie. She does love it. She really wants to wear it, but I'm saving it for our upcoming beach trip. (moms spoil all the fun!)

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  2. oh ! a tue princess dress! great job and I looooove the fabric

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    1. Thank you Sophie. She is feeling like a princess for sure!

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  3. I love the dress! The fabric and the bow in the back! So cute!

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    1. Thank you Kalista! I do love the print, not so hot for the brown...might pull it to pieces and start over!

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