Saturday, May 18, 2013

Simplicity 2907 - Aqua lace toddler dress


After using stretch polyester lace a few months ago, I decided to try some cotton lace for a summer dress for Rachel. This fabric is from Mood and has a nice weight to it - not too heavy but substantial enough for a dress. It was very easy to work with and ironed well. Of course, being lace, it needed some type of underlining. I tried it atop lots of different colors and finally chose a dark teal cotton.


I chose a simple pattern for this dress in order to show off the lace. I cut a 1/2 for the width and a 1 for the length - just like the last dress I made for her - but it is a little big. Apparently I am still learning toddler sizing.


Finding buttons to match this aqua color was just about impossible. I did find some aqua flower buttons that matched but did not want to sew flower buttons over floral lace. Then I had an epiphany and decided to do contrasting brown ones. The ribbon belt brought in more brown and I love the little bow in the front.


I sewed all of the underlining to the lace first, then constructed the dress as instructed. Because the collar has 4 layers to it - lace and underlining times two - I left off the interfacing. The hardest part of making clothes for little people is always setting those tiny sleeves into the tiny armholes. It's not the fabric ease that's hard for me, it's getting my machine foot in there. I always get poked with my pins a bunch of times during this step.


I really like the peaks of dark fabric that can be seen at the sleeves or hemline when my daughter wears her dress.


The inside seam allowances were trimmed to about 3/8" and finished with the overlocking stitch. When I sewed on the ribbon belt, I used brown thread in the machine and aqua in the bobbin to keep all the inside threads the same color.


I used Simplicity 2907. This is a pattern I bought several years ago, then wondered why I'd purchased something so plain. It worked really well for the fabric, though. I doubt I'll be using it again since the sizing is so loose on her and I'm not in love with any of the other views.


Sewing little girl clothing is a little addicting!

33 comments:

  1. Cute! Cute! Cute!
    Have you tried sewing the sleeves in before sewing up the side seams? Makes it easier when sewing tiny sizes.

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    1. No but great idea! And thanks!

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    2. I was just going to say that! I do it all the time for "little people" clothing, but have started doing it sometimes for my own as well. Sometimes, it is just so much easier!

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  2. Cute! Love that color. I'm with you on sewing little girl's clothes being addicting, whenever I make anything for my nieces I just want to keep making more and more things for them. But then they grow out of it in a month and I'm over it.. haha

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    1. Thanks! And my daughter is a pretty slow grower so things fit her for a long time. Perhaps when your nieces get older they won't outgrow things so quickly.

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  3. Rachel looks so adorable, and her new dress is lovely. I really like how you coordinated this lace with brown and the dark teal. Perfect choices!

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  4. Cute! The colors are fantastic. It looks like you have a nice garden going too!

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    1. Thanks Kelly! This is my first time gardening and I am definitely learning alot!

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  5. Pretty dress and Rachel is sooooo adorable! Plus, I want her curls.

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  6. This is so cute and Rachel looks adorable in it! Love yoour fabric choices and the contrasting ribbon and buttons are really nice.

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  7. Very, very cute dress and daughter! The veggie garden is growing well.

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  8. Hasn't time passed! Rachel looks lovely in her lace. I recently bought very similar lace to make up for myself.

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  9. OOh so cute!!!!!Love the little dress .yyour little one looks adorable.

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  10. The teal with brown looks so pretty! You've inspired me to make some dresses for my little girl!

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  11. So cute! I bought this pattern for Raven too but she must be a giant. Rachel is a few months older than her and I just made M6684 in a size 3.

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    1. Thanks Sewtellme! And Rachel is tiny. She wears 18-24 month in RTW and is almost 3! It sounds like your Raven is average to me.

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  12. Adorable! The brown accents were an inspired addition. And hey--making toddler clothes a little big just means they can be worn for longer!

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  13. My goodness she's just too adorable in her beautiful new dress !

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  14. Such a lovely dress for such a sweet little girl!! :)

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  15. Adorable! I love that it is a bit big on her. She is a cutie pie!
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog.blogspot.com

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  16. This dress is adorable and looks even cuter on your daughter! I really like how you layered the lace over the teal fabric - great color combination and very summery. : )

    I also wanted to let you know that I've nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogging Award. : ) I enjoy reading your blog and wanted to say thanks for sharing your crafty adventures with all of us. To receive the award, just go to the post where I've nominated you (http://allspiceabounds.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/a-blogging-award-how-sweet/), and if you'd like, follow the "rules" to nominate other blogs. Congrats!

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    1. Thanks for the compliment and the nomination! Unfortunately I do not have time to participate in a lot of the online blogging activities. Blessings on your day!

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  17. Hi! Your work is gorgeous! I don't sew myself, but I remember many a winter's evening or Saturday, sitting in my mother's sewing room as she worked on doll clothes, apolstry, curtains and drapes, bedding, dolls and much more for her church ministry. Unfortunately, I did not follow in any of those footsteps. Although, I have inherited her latest Singer, and my 8 year old wants me to teach her how to sew! I love reading your posts, they are like poetry. Thanks for sharing!~~
    Jane

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  18. My basil is thinking about a trip to the Mediterranean - it turned cold here - and yours is blooming!
    (hint: pinch those basil blooms off. Pick the leaves to dry between two dishtowels outside or you can use paper towels to dry it in the microwave).
    Your daughter's lacey dress is adorable.

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    1. Thanks for the hint! This is my first year having a garden so I've lots to learn.

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