I decided to make Easter dresses for my girls this year. I have to say, it is pretty nice having three girls to sew up pretty dresses for… keeps me from making myself a bunch of dresses I don’t need. I had a hard time finding good springtime cottons, despite searching my local haunts. It seems these fabrics don’t always show up in stores early enough for me to plan for Easter sewing. I could have ordered online, but eh. Shipping costs are such a buzzkill. I ended up buying a high quality ponte from Fabric Basement. This print was perfect for daughter number 2, Sylvia. She immediately fell for this fabric, and demanded it be hers. Okay, child, yours it shall be.
I wanted to make her something more special than the typical skater dress, so I decided to try Burda 07/2014 #136. I love how the princess seams go straight into the straps, which have a slight cap sleeve. I ditched the sweetheart neckline and adjusted it to be straight-ish (it actually has a slight curve).
The pattern calls for a woven, so I sized down in the bodice, but added length so it would hit her waist correctly. The ponte has great drape, but it gets bulky very quickly. For this reason I skipped lining the bodice, and instead drafted an all-in-one facing. I feel pretty clever for drafting out the bodice seaming and maneuvering the square neckline as neatly as I managed. *pats self on back*
I drafted a 3/4 circle skirt because she likes twirly, and a gathered skirt would be far too bulky and heavy. I measured the skirt length of a dress in her closet and drafted accordingly, but we had not yet gone to her annual doctors appointment where I found out that she grew 3″ in the past year (whut?!) so… oops.
To preserve all the length I did a simple 3-thread (no stitch finger) serged finish on the edge. I think this ended up being a good thing because the ponte probably wouldn’t have hemmed nicely with such a rounded hem anyways.
Even though this is a knit dress, I did all the construction on my sewing machine. The fabric is really too thick for the serger, plus I wouldn’t have had the control and precision needed to navigate the neckline. I also kept the invisible side zip to make sure the waistline didn’t get strained and risk popping stitches.
I am so happy with how this dress came out! It’s feminine while still giving her the comfort to move around and not feel restricted. FYI, Burda also has a women’s version of this pattern—um, yes, please!
—lisa g.
so cute!! I want one in my size lol!
Thank you! This fabric came in a few more colorways, hopefully I can snag some for me too!
Aah, that’s a lovely dress in a gorgeous print. And your model is so sweet!
Thank you! She is very photogenic… makes photoshoots super fast and easy!
That’s so pretty! I want one!
Thanks, me too! 😉
This is so lovely!
Thank you!
That is a beautiful ponte knit! And the perfect dress as it has a “spinny” skirt!
Thank you! She just can’t resist a good twirl!
Beautiful fabric!
Isn’t it? I need to pick up one of the other color ways for myself… 🙂
This is such a cute dress – and looks terrific on your precious model 🙂 Very nice – and love the fabric!!
Thank you! I know this dress will get lots of love!
Beautiful dress and very pretty fabric. All your modifications to this pattern to suit the fabric have worked perfectly.
Thanks! It doesn’t always work out the way I see it in my mind, but this time it did!
Gorgeous! The dress and the model 🙂
You lucky mama, having three girls to sew for! I only have one. I’ve been doing lots of sewing for her this year as I really have enough clothes for myself! I’m making her Easter dress tonight.
Thank you! It was so fun to sew up a few kid dresses. They all love to receive “mommy-mades.” 🙂 Hope you got that Easter dress done!
The flowers are perfect for spring! So pretty!
Thank you! I love a good floral print.
This is perfect! The colors are so fun!!!
This is probably one of my favorite dresses I’ve ever made! So tempting to make myself one… 😉
Very cute and fabulous fabric – sweet but modern at the same time.
Thank you! I totally agree… sweet and modern is exactly her style!
It’s very pretty and she looks very pleased with it! Good work!!
That is just so darn pretty! I can see why she fell for this fabric!
Thank you, Gail! This has to be one of my most favorite dresses I’ve ever made. It’s just perfect!
This looks so great!! Such a fantastic print and you did some great modifications. You daughter is so cute! How awesome to be able to sew your kids pretty dresses!
I totally want this dress for myself! In a bigger size, of course haha!
Me too!!