Even though I had bought a couple potential Easter dress fabrics, none of them were really inspiring me for kid dresses. In desperation, I hit up Joanns and remembered their (surprisingly good) linen selection. Isabella is a tiny 7-yr old, and she wanted fabric that “wasn’t too pink.” She prefers yellow and blue, and she’s loudly intolerant of anything that doesn’t meet her expectations. Fortunately, she approved of my fabric choice!
I choose New Look 6118 because I like the high neckline of the front paired with the dramatic scoop of the back. Also, this bodice had no darts or shaping, which is perfect for my very straight-torso’d daughter. I had wanted to do a gathered skirt, but she insisted on twirly, like her sister’s dress. Can’t blame her for that!
This girl is absolutely tiny. She’s always under the 10th percentile for weight, and 20th for height. This makes both buying and sewing clothes for her a real challenge. I only recently pulled the last of the 4T sizes from her closet, mostly on principal and the fact that her closet is stuffed with hand-me-downs, not because they no longer fit. On the NL size chart, she measured about a 4 in width, but a 6 in height. To make it work, I cut out a 4 and then lengthened the bodice pieces. Even at that, the dress is plenty roomy, but it should fit through the whole spring and summer.
I ditched the back buttons and inserted an invisible zip instead. The fabric print is busy enough, I didn’t need buttons for any special effect. For the 3/4 circle skirt I was able to use the same draft from her sister’s dress, just slightly adjusted to fit this bodice.
The hem is finished with bias tape. It both gives the hemline structure, and makes it super easy to hem. Plus, it was a way to sneak in the yellow she wanted.
This dress is getting high marks from the girl, and I’m super happy with it as well! As tempting as it was to skip the pattern alterations, it just wouldn’t have fit otherwise. I mean, yeah, that’s a pretty obvious statement, but I guess I’m lazy when it comes to sewing for the kids!
—lisa g.
More fabric that I adore! (Apparently I just want to dress like a kid? 😛 )
You’re not alone… I’d wear these dresses in a heartbeat!
It’s lovely. The fabric is perfect for a little girl!
Thank you!
Cute!! I love an easter dress that isn’t to pastel and ruffly, and Isabella looks thrilled!
Thank you, I will choose vibrant colors over pastels any day!
I am super happy that she is super happy with her dress. It looks really cute on her! Happy Easter to you all!
Thank you! She’s excited to get to wear it tomorrow!
Another gorgeous make and beautiful daughter! You’re shaming me into getting stitchy for my girls!
Easter is the one holiday that I really enjoy sewing for, I guess it’s the spring dresses that make it fun. And it’s really nice to take a break from myself and make them a few things… they really appreciate it too!
Really, really cute! It’s such a happy dress, and your daughter looks very happy in it!
She was extra delighted to receive this one! Being the third girl in line, she rarely gets new clothes… I have to indulge her every once in a while!
Another gorgeous dress.
Wow, I love it! Amazing colours! I would be happy to wear that myself 🙂
My girl is tiny too. I finished her Easter dress last night, and it might fit her properly in a couple of years. Whoops. I should have made size 3 or 4 but made a 5 because I am lazy and like to get at least two years out of the clothes I make!
Thank you! I know what you mean though… I’d love to get multiple years out of each thing I make, but I find that they don’t like to wear things that are too huge. So, it still ends up being something that’s worn for one year!
Another cutie! Glad they’re loving them! I used to adore it when my mum made me things (errrrrr a very very very long time ago!)
Thanks again!
Another winning dress! Love the colors!
Another winner! You found the best fabrics this spring!!
I love the “loudly intolerant” comment – I have a niece very much like that. So glad she approved of this dress – it looks so pretty on her!
It’s funny… she’s the tiniest of my kids, but she’s also the loudest. She pretty much rules the roost here!
Oh yes, they know what they want at this age, don’t they – there’s absolutely no point trying to get them to wear something they don’t like :). She has great taste though – it’s a lovely dress, and they’re terrific spring- like colors without being washed out looking!