rosy ra-ra ruffles
You probably already know by now that I sew each of my girls a dress for Christmas and one for their birthday. I had a lovely embroidered eyelet pinwale corduroy all picked out to make an Oliver + s Apple Picking Dress for Stella this year. But I ran out of time. Mainly because I was making the dress I knew she would want me to sew, rather than the one that I would want to sew.
Every time we are in a fabric shop and we come across anything in pink that has sparkle, shimmer, silkiness or shine involved, Stella practically hyperventilates and asks me to buy it. So I figured that this dress would combine every element that she loves while still being comfortable and easy to wear.
Most of the fabric is from GJs Discount Fabrics (yes, the remnant table). The bodice and one tier are in cotton/lycra jersey, another tier in pink/silver jersey, the sleeves and another tier in crushed stretch velvet, and the lower tier in satin. With that amazing pink ribbon rose trim (from Darn Cheap Fabrics) overlaid on the bodice!
I based this dress on the Violette Field Threads “Adele” dress pattern, altered to have the tiers/ruffles on the front of the dress as well as the back, and with long sleeves instead of short. It is winter, after all! Each skirt tier is finished with an overlocked rolled hem.
Although I didn’t especially enjoy making this dress – I’d have much rather been sewing the Apple Picking dress – Stella was thrilled to receive it. And wasn’t that really what it was all about! This time it was the product rather than the process.
It’s different. Unusual. Noice. Haha! But she looks thrilled, and yep, making what they want is the best part of having our skill of sewing! I think I would have cursed every last stitch haha. I was yesterday when mine got ‘dressed up’ for Cathie’s afternoon tea in the grey stretchy leggings and daggy around-the-house tee shirt. I insisted on a skirt over the top of the leggings, it’s as far as I got! Sigh.
She looks very happy and that’s what really counts.
Now that’s what I call a party dress! It’s exactly what I would have wanted for my 5th birthday.
now if only I could carry it off… perfect party princess dress!!!
My daughter is always drawn to the sparkly section of Spotlight. That said, there’s no way she’d ever wear the stuff. This is a girl I’ve rarely ever been able to get into a dress or skirt. Most frustrating for a mother who wants to sew lots of pretty things. I’m sure your daughter will gets heaps of wear out of it. This is one of those occasions where more is definitely more!
It’s super cute! I would have loved to have had that dress when I was her age! And I would have been sad to grow out of it!
Gorgeous!