Pinwheel tunic and slip
Let’s see if I can remember the details of sewing this outfit – it was way back in September that it was sewn!
The pattern is the Oliver + S Pinwheel Tunic and Slip. The pattern description from the website is as follows: The two pieces in this versatile outfit can be worn together or individually. The short-sleeved, bias-trimmed tunic has a keyhole back-neck opening with ribbon ties. The narrow-strapped slip dress looks adorable as a simple summer dress or as a nightgown. Both pieces feature a bias-trimmed flounce that overlaps at the inverted V-shaped front bottom edge. Worn together, the pair makes a spectacular flouncy dress. Suggested Fabrics: Light- to medium-weight woven fabrics like quilting cotton, shirting, poplin, broadcloth, lawn, voile, batiste, rayon, and linen.
http://oliverands.com/images/product/OLV-OS039PW/OLV-OS039PW_Detail.jpg
The fabric came from Spotlight, and is a woven rayon. The print is from the Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy line – apparently there was some sort of collaboration with whoever supplies Spotlight with fabric to translate some of the quilting fabric designs to garment fabric. It has a beautiful soft handle. I made bias binding for the edges from silk/cotton from Darn Cheap Fabrics.
Size wise I think that I sewed size 7, and it’s still fairly roomy. Stella is pretty skinny for her age, but almost average height, but I usually find that Oliver + S patterns appear to be cut more on the slender side than the wider. Not in this case! Rather than using ribbon to tie the back of the tunic closed, I simply extended the neck bias binding into ties. Easy peasy! By the way, this slip and tunic requires HEAPS of bias binding – make certain that you make plenty!
This wasn’t a difficult outfit to sew. You do need to pay attention to reinforcing the centre front point where the flounce attaches, and take your time a little to ensure that everything fits together nicely. I used my overlocker for much of the construction, but basted some pieces by machine.
Stella wore this outfit to her cousin’s wedding in September and was very happy in it. Stella is quite sensitive to textures and irritations and a soft fabric like viscose is perfect for her (she will absolutely not wear any clothing that she perceives as annoying in any way). The slip slips on over her head (as expected!) and the tunic is also easy to get into. The soft silk/cotton bias binding around the edges, combined with a ribbon tie rather than a hard button, also meets with her approval. I aim to please!
My granddaughter F is just as choosy about the hand and feel of her clothes as is your daughter. Of course, no one told me until I labored over her birthday gift last year. She wore it exactly once: on the airplane when she and her brother flew up to stay with us for a week. The material was all cotton, but she didn’t like the high neckline. (I noticed she kept tugging on it.). But she still wears the bubble gum pink sweater I knit for her. 🙂
Stella’s dress is adorable. I love it.
This is adorable! I’ve had my eye on this pattern for ages but wanted to see it made up first–and I haven’t seen this pattern made up much (and it’s apparently going out of print now).
what a lovely frock!!
This is lovely! I’m in the middle of this pattern right now. I was going to sew the slip and the dress to layer up as you did, but (probably to avoid a bit of extra work) I’ve gone with using the slip as a lining to the tunic – just changed the slip neckline/armscye to reflect the tunic. So far so good ;-). The double option is great going into summer though. I’ve made the slip a few times for pjs for my girls.
This is such a clever outfit. Your girls always look so well dressed, they’re lucky to have a mum who can sew for them!
That is so cute! It’s just different enough from the usual little girl dress.