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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Bean's Birthday Dress and KCW Day 3

For Project Run and Play's final week the theme was special occasion.  I decided the night before it was due to participate.  I was really not going to sew along that week because I had WAY too many other projects going, but then I thought of a dress for Bean's birthday (in May) and I couldn't get it out of my head.  So I started, but did not have enough sewing time to be able to finish in time for the sew along.  I knew KCW was coming so I let it go and planned to finish it during one of the hours of sewing this week.


The main idea for this dress was to use a similar shape to the bodice from the Natalie Dress (affiliate link) from Peek-A-Boo Patterns (I am in LOVE with that sleeve so there will be a lot more of this shape to come), but to use some lattice smocking across the front.


I finished the lattice smocking last week and posted the pic on Instagram.


The neckline didn't stretch as much as I would have liked so I put in a button placket on the back.  I like the look it gives the back so it was a happy accident. 


For the skirt I wanted something full and a little longer than I normally like Bean's skirts to be.  Her birthday is in a month so she may grow between now and then and I wanted her to be able to run and play at her party without worrying about the wind blowing it up. 

Bean's 1st birthday dress

I thought it would be fun to use the same fabric I used for her birthday dress last year (the Ice Cream Social Dress from CINO), so that is what I used for the skirt.  I just put a band of pink around the bottom to weigh it down a bit and add a bit of color to the edge.


Whenever I use a knit for a bodice with a woven gathered skirt I find where they meet wants to pull the knit a little too much and it widens more then I'd like.  So I planned to add a band around the waist.  I thought this bright pink against the blueish green bodice would look a little cupcakey which is fun for a birthday dress.  I don't even know what cupcakey means, but it was the thought I had in my head the whole time, hehe.


This is Bean's newest "smile" face.  It makes me laugh so hard. 


I just adore this dress.  It turned out exactly how I pictured, and in spite of the number of days it took for me to finally finish it, it was a really quick dress to make. 

KCWC

As for KCW Day 3, I still didn't touch the jacket pieces. 


Instead I cut out and prepped a Beachy Boatneck (affiliate link) dress. 


I have been wanting to make a dress length Beachy Boatneck since pattern testing and decided it had to move up the list above the jacket. 


And of course I finished the birthday dress.  Hopefully day 4 will be productive! 

I have added affiliate links for Blank Slate Patterns and Go To Patterns on my sidebar as well as in some of the links in this post, but I sewed using their patterns long before even considering it. These are just great patterns that I truly stand by and I am excited about being an affiliate.

As usual, linking up to:
I Heart Nap Time The Chicken Chick Sew Chatty Photobucket  photo blogbutton_zpsb1fa0f6d.jpg Happy Hour Projects Photobucket

14 comments :

  1. I would LOVE to see a tutorial for this if you ever get "extra" time. It's an awesome technique!! Beautiful dress for a beautiful girl! (Ours are turning two in the same month!)

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    Replies
    1. Michelle, I do plan to do a tutorial for the smocking in May. I hope you'll find it helpful.

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  2. Oh, so cute! And why yes, it IS cupcakey! Her sweet face in that picture makes me smile, looks like she's ready for a kiss. Could you possibly give me a brief explanation on that sash adding technique?? :)
    ~monica

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  3. I second the smocking tutorial!I really like this lattice look. She is so stinkin cute, the smile face is great!

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  4. Oh, lovely! The smocking looks amazing! Love that "smile" :)

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  5. She looks like she's kissing the camera.

    I love the length of the skirt and the polka dots. This kid will think every birthday requires wearing polka dots. Can you picture when she's 75, still wearing polka dots?

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  6. Cute b'day dress and the smock is amazing!

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  7. Wow! Th smocking is incredible! I would love to learn how to do that. A tutorial, please, pretty please. :)

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  8. You have been busy! I love that you used the same fabric from her first birthday! So fun! I just love the dress! And the other dress! :D

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  9. Love the dress! I've always wanted to put lattice smocking on something!

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  10. It is just perfect!!!! She is so damn cute too. Ugh! I can't take it!!!! I
    l o v e
    the dress! That lattice-work knocks my socks off!

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  11. The dress looks great on her! Love that polkadot fabric and blue top! Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!

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  12. What a beautiful dress!! Love the smocking!!!

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