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Have you read any of Ayano Imai's books? We have three that we love: Puss in Boots: Chester; and Mr. Brown's Fantastic Hat. I created this dress for Zoe based on the fabulous reds, oranges and browns in Puss in Boots. I think it will be perfect for a Thanksgiving dress -- remember, we live in Texas and usually spend the winter holidays in short sleeves. Are we blessed?  This dress is based on my go-to pattern, Child's Summer Frock at the Burda website. I shortened the bodice and lengthened the skirt, used pleats instead of gathers, and spliced a middle panel in the bodice. Fabrics are all repurposed, including two napkins from World Market!
See more clothing based on storybooks for Kids Clothes Week here. #kidsclothesweek
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For Kids Clothes Week, I knew I'd want to design something around one of Zoe's favorite books, Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman. The illustrations are just gorgeous, and Zoe requests it just about every third night.    Well, you know I made that public commitment about a week ago to not buy any more fabric or start any new projects until all my unfinished projects were completed. Once you say something publicly....
I originally cut out the fabric for this dress 3 months ago, and I figured I had better finish it before Zoe outgrows a size 4. I was originally intimidated by the zipper in back and the bias trim, but I'm starting to let go of perfectionism in favor of integrity. :) The fabric is from Jo-Anne's and I snagged the free pattern (LINK) from StraightGrain. I used pleats instead of gathers. Had some sweet eyelet fabric left over from another dress, and decided to use it for Zoe's spring school picture dress. I used the free A-line pattern (LINK) from the Climbing the Willow website, just adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance at the bottom of the bodice and the top of the dress bottom to put the eyelet and pink fabric together. Unfortunately...when I tried the finished dress on Zoe, the dress neck was too small to fit over her head. Rats! Here's the odds of how this happened: 
I found a great tutorial and pattern for this wrap dress. Here's the link from the Anna Maria Horner website:
http://annamariahorner.blogspot.ca/2012/08/paper-fans.html?spref=fb Unfortunately, I made a mistake somewhere along the skirt directions. Oops! Good thing this beginner sewer always buys extra fabric! I made a simple lined skirt with a few pleats, and I think it came out okay. I also made a simple wool felt flower pin to wear as she chooses. |
