Good morning! This weekend I stitched up a teeny tiny dress for a friend’s employer’s daughter (it’s a long story), and I was flooded by memories of when I first started sewing for K. Oh, how I struggled back then! I couldn’t figure out how to attach a bodice lining; I remember being stumped by which function to select on my sewing machine to create button holes.
And although things have gotten much easier and a whole lot less stressful in terms of sewing, I’ve become quite accustomed to whipping up t-shirts for K so I was surprised by how long this itty bitty sundress took to construct. Of course, because it’s a gift, I was extra careful with my stitching (not so with things I create for K) and didn’t rush anything.
The fabric is a luscious Nani Iro double-gauze with metallic polka dots from Miss Matatabi. I lined the bodice with a cream cotton lawn from my stash, which should feel nice and smooth against the very chic recipient’s skin. I was happy to bust out my oldie but goodie pattern book
I mean look at the difference between 90cm and 130cm, which is K’s current size:
I actually made the same square-necked dress in size 120cm for K here, but I didn’t have a good comparison photo, so plopped this geometric one there instead. K was about 3 years old when she wore 90cm. I just can’t believe how much my girl’s grown in the last five years…
Anyway, the polka dotted sweet frock is on its way to California — bon voyage!
Such a sweet dress. I love little ones,too. I use nano iro a LOT. I had my little dress with the bodice made out of your fabric at market on Sat. Unfortunately, it was freezing and rainy. People wanted warm baked goods, not dresses. BUT, out of all the different items on my table, one of my customers picked out your fabric on the bodice of my little dress and asked for a larger one in your fabric. So, I ordered some more. I would love to print out that fox and the little goldfish, also. Any thoughts on that?
Wow, that’s great Greta! Love hearing updates and I’m glad that the fabric will be made into yet another dress. Yes, let’s discuss the fox and goldfish…more soon
Very cute! It’s amazing how long tiny things take to make – I made a babygro for a friend’s new baby recently and it took much longer than anything I’ve made for myself lately….
I need to find out what this babygro is…I didn’t have one for K, and both you and Kathryn mention it here. It was definitely worth the effort for the dress though – I love it!
I think they’re called onesies in the States? This is the one I made, if that helps: http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/criss-cross-onesie-092013
I’ll need to ask the recipient to gake some photos for the blog I think – it was very cute!
Oh, this is adorable! I love it! I think sewing for babies might be one of my favorite things ever. Thank you, Liz!
Good morning, even if it’s a rainy Monday one at that here!
That is a sweet little dress! No wonder it took much longer than a tee shirt, what with the lining and buttons! I had it easy. I had a boy and made little pants for him way back then! Now that I am sewing again, I am so tempted to make little dresses as they are so cute. I have a baby shower to attend in another two months, so I am going to start with baby pants. They are so teeny tiny…such a fun way to use up my scraps!
Oh, I adore baby pants! Could anything be cuter? And yes! I’m amazed at how little fabric is required. Since K is growing like a weed, I’m using more and more fabric for her and it was nice to get so many pattern piece out of half a yard of fabric for a change!
Thanks Melissa!
Ooh this looks so lovely! I do love double gauze & it would be so lovely for children’s clothes. Its crazy how quickly they grow isn’t it?! I found a newborn babygrow the other day & can’t believe it wasn’t that long ago that fitted my 17month old boy!
Time stands still for no one, Kathryn, and is it just me or does it go by faster the older we get? Double-gauze is so great for little ones, especially for babies! I’ve been noticing that non-Japanese brands are also incorporating double-gauze into their fabric lines these days and no wonder! Thank you Kathryn!
So very pretty – what a lucky little girl. I love the fabrics at Miss Matatabi and particularly those with the metallic prints.
Miss Matatabi is the best! And I just love Nani Iro. I’m ready to design for them whenever they want me to — now that’s a dream job
That is totally an heirloom quality dress. So beautiful!! I really hope they appreciate the dress and your work and take the time to pass it on to other friends
Thank you, Alana! I hope the little 2-year-old girl likes it! Apparently she’s really tall for her age so I think this size should do the trick…fingers crossed! I’m actually sending the dress to your neck of the woods :-).
Maybe I’ll see it at a playground one day! Wouldn’t that be awesome?!
That would be so awesome!!
Such a chic dress, Sanae! although the intended wearer won’t realize how lovely the fabric, hopefully her astute mama will – Nani Iro is the pinnacle of lusciousness! Love the understated design of this little frock – you really can’t go wrong with those Japanese patterns, can you? Are you on the look-out for tween Japanese sizes? Surely there must be a market for that . . .
One more week till the big day!
I AM on the lookout or tween sizes, though I’m wondering if I might be able to delve into designing clothes for Kumi. Wouldn’t that be amazing? And I don’t know if the little girl who’ll be wearing the dress will appreciate it, but I sure hope her incredibly fashionable mama does :-). Thanks Lucinda!
That is GORGEOUS fabric. Isn’t it lovely sewing gifts for others.
It is lovely sewing for others! For a long time I was really embarrassed about giving handmade gifts, but I’m a lot less critical of my wonky stitches now. It’s handmade, after all ;-).