For months, I have been dreaming of this dress. From the moment I saw my fabric, I wanted to use it to make something this sweet. I've been shuffling patterns and combinations of prints around the studio and finally just had to start. It's been so long since I sewed from a dress pattern. Even though I made all the dresses the girls wore when they were little, an awful lot of time has passed since then. A pattern I picked up at the church sale for 25 cents was the winner here. Simplicity 3807, vintage 1950's. Never used! Written and designed in the vintage pattern language I'm comfortable with, it was also the simple, classic style I was looking for.
And, seriously, how cute is this?!
The dress is actually the second view of a pinafore for a fussier party dress (as we used to call them), but it allowed me to combine two prints from my Walnut Hill Farm collection. I made the yoke from the Button Box print and the body of the dress from Queen Anne's Lace. I haven't finished them yet, but the bloomers are from Button Box also.
The minute I started cutting the pattern pieces, I felt like I was 25 years old again. I know - really, that's all it takes? The sound of the scissors crunching the paper, then snapping crisply on the fabric beneath just felt so wonderful.
Snipping notches, stacking cut pieces, reading Step 1. It was like riding a bike again.
It's not perfect. I fell off the bike a few times. Messed up the pockets, forgot to trim a few seams as instructed. Ripped out the armhole facings twice. I spent the whole day on it and was finishing up some of the handsewing at dinner time, realizing it was dark.
Lucky for me, the baby girls grew up to be amazing cooks. Such a happy day!
On to the hemming, buttonholes and bloomers ....
If you are going to CHA, do stop by Anna Griffin's booth #973 (Blend Fabrics). The dress will be there along with some of the other projects I made for the collection. I'll be in and out of the booth too!
Darling! I'm looking forward to spending more time with my fabric as well. :)
Posted by: Betz | January 20, 2012 at 10:22 AM
You ask how cute it is?? Adorably, wonderfully, amazingly cute!
You need to hang on to that one for the next generation baby girl!
Posted by: Laura | January 20, 2012 at 12:06 PM
What a truly gorgeous little dress. Your fabrics are so suited to this style of clothing.
Posted by: Lorrie | January 20, 2012 at 01:51 PM
This is seriously a-dorable. Just love it. Julierose
Posted by: Julie L | January 20, 2012 at 03:18 PM
So cute! And some precious little one will enjoy wearing a special hand-made dress for a good while! What's next?
Posted by: Shirley windham | January 20, 2012 at 03:49 PM
Soooo cute. Have a great time with all the Cali girls. Your class at FG sounds great. I will look forward to the posts after class. Love those heart patterns too.....well I just love everything you do!!
Posted by: Syd | January 20, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Oh Charlotte, it's adorable and the vintage pattern (ahem, from my childhood, guess that makes me vintage teehee!) is just a perfect fit with your fabric.
I can't believe that's it's almost time to go to French General. I am quite dizzy and ditsy with excitement. I may just giggle the whole three hours. Please take pity on me. ;)
WOOHOO!
Posted by: Sally | January 20, 2012 at 05:13 PM
charlotte.
i love this.
what a great
post.
you are an
inspiration.
blessings.
Posted by: miss lynn | January 20, 2012 at 06:52 PM
Like Sally, I am vintage 1950's as well. I am sure my Gram made me a dress similar - gingham checks most likely. Your dress is so adorable. I wish they made that in an adult size. It would be so comfy on a hot summer day. Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
Posted by: Jeannie | January 20, 2012 at 06:56 PM
I recently bought a similar pattern at the 99 cent pattern sale at JoAnn's. I have a big stash of summer fabric to make dresses for my littlest littles. :)
Love how this turned out for you.
So sweet.
Posted by: Dawn | January 20, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Just adorable.
I love love love your fabric.
Colette xo
Posted by: colette copeland | January 20, 2012 at 08:59 PM
My mom made me dresses very similar to this pattern! What a flashback memory! Have fun at CHA!!
Posted by: carikraft | January 21, 2012 at 07:06 PM
I think I need to do what you did - wow!
INSPIRED!
I made the boys' clothes, too, and have not done it in a very long time either.
Lots to talk about - I'll call soon...
xo
Posted by: jone | January 21, 2012 at 07:39 PM
oh my goodness charlotte it is enchanting....perfect with your lovely fabric!
Posted by: sharon from farm and fru fru | January 21, 2012 at 07:45 PM
oh my...how completely precious!!!
Posted by: barefoot mama | January 23, 2012 at 09:03 AM
So cute Charlotte! I can't wait to walk into the Blend booth and see your line - for real!!!
See you in a few days!
K.
Posted by: Kaari | January 23, 2012 at 10:54 AM
It is so, so, so cute. No wonder you wanted to make it. Dresses with yolks are always so pretty and simple. xox Corrine
Posted by: Corrine | January 23, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Wish I could have seen this up close and personal. It is adorable! I hope you sold lots of fabric out in LA!
Posted by: nicki | February 01, 2012 at 05:15 PM