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| cutting and taping |
I am trying not to buy any new patterns but one Sunday morning, browsing sewing blogs in pyjamas was a dangerous time. Seriously, there should have been a huge flashing sign and wailing siren as I hopped from one sewing site to another and ended up at Go To Patterns. Then, losing my mind temporarily, I allowed Little I to choose a PDF dress pattern and clicked "buy". It doesn't seem like spending money but it is....and she chose the Little Bow Pleat dress by Melly Sews.
I have to say despite kicking myself for falling off the No-Spend-Frugal wagon, I do love this pattern. It is super easy to sew and creates a lovely dress. It is sized 18 months to 8 years so I am fully expecting to make it again in a smaller size for RG.
The final dress is A line, with a standup collar, slightly puffed sleeves, centre front pleat and self fabric big bow. I mean what's not to love here? I just wish I was almost six years old so I could wear it. I also imagine this is what my sewing friend Scruffybadger would wear if she too were almost six.
I made it from bright pink cotton with orange polka dots bought from Clothkits. I used a discount offer so I had the fabric for £4 per metre and used about 1.50 metres. The dress has a thrifted red zip in the back (20p).
The most tricky bits to sew were the sleeve bands as they are so small that they are quite fiddly. If I make it smaller I may omit them as I found them so fiddly, or try sewing them on before sewing up the sleeve. Would that work?
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| fiddly sleeve band |
I think it could look great in a jersey knit as it would drape so well.
lovely! just the thing to cheer up everyone in these grey cold days!
ReplyDeletethank you, I am sooo fed up with this cold weather!
DeleteGorgeous sweet little dress...nice and cheerful to beat the gloomy grey days away.Every now and then I stray off of the frugal road but after all if the pattern makes up nicely and the end product is so gorgeous as this little dress it has to be worth every penny.And you no doubt will make another one for Little I and then there is always Rocket Girl..so you haven't spent too many pennies really!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like the dress and I agree the pattern will hopefully work out to be money well spent :)
DeleteYou are so right, Debbie, I love this dress and always envy little I's wardrobe!!!! Super cute and great that you'll be able to make more for both cute girls of yours. I bet that sleeve band was tricky, but it's worth it to get that dreamy puff sleeve. I have made a similar sleeve sewing the band onto the flat sleeve before inserting the sleeve, then sewing side seams all in one go and felt it was scruffy ( hahaha) because the cuff had a visible seam. Maybe that's a compromise though for such a pretty result, but less fiddly? But, on the downside it might be less comfy for little arms? X
ReplyDeleteI am interested to hear about your sleeve band - the final band does look good so maybe it is worth the trouble. I am not sure how hard it would be to sew an even smaller size band.
DeleteAdorable!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really beautiful dress and even better for it's bargain fabric and zip (if there is money off, I don't count it as spending...I have managed to convince myself it's saving;) ! Similarly, if an item is for the children, it is officially necessity!!
ReplyDeletehee, hee, I like your thinking Pilippa :)
DeleteOh, how cute! What a sweet dress! This pattern seems like a good investment since there's such a large range of sizes.
ReplyDeleteThank you - i am thinking a shortened version of the pattern could also be for a top only, so it has a lot of potential.:)
Deleteyes, too cute! And I think a jersey version would be lovely. Hope you and the family are well. x x x
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes we are okay...just fed up with the cold.xx
DeleteLovely! Like you, I'd love to be 6 and get to wear something like this! I bet it would be really sweet in a knit. I agree, the pattern seems like a good investment (especially with RG in the house, too) ... sometimes these little splurges are a really nice way to treat yourself. I remember my first job out of college, my budget was $1,050 - $1,100/month, and the 2 splurges I made that year were this pair of patchwork Keds and this quirky lavendar tee. They made me so happy every time I wore them, because I rarely splurged. Occasionally, it's worth straying off the frugal road!
ReplyDeleteSplurges are good I agree. Patchwork keds sound cute too. xx
DeleteRe: fiddly sleeve bands, I stitched up my Airelle like that. It's since gone in the donation pile so I have no idea if it would bother me ... I'm guessing I'd have lived with it, considering how much easier it made my life!
ReplyDeleteI have just attached sleeve bands on my tova and found them not so fiddly in comparison to the teeney sized ones on this dress!
ReplyDeleteOh, my - that IS the sweetest polka dot frock! So cute. :-)
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