green gingham

I love gingham fabric. Mostly because there's no right or wrong side to it, but also for the farm-ey, apron-y preserving kind of feel it exudes. I made Keira a little green gingham dress this week.

I'd been wanting to make a wrap-around style dress for a while, and it turned out to be pretty easy to make the pattern for. After all I have knitted one like this before, and if you can knit something, you can probably sew it, right?

I made an extra-long bias strip so the dress can be fastened at either the front or the back.

Also, I 'bought' (swapped) a lovely one quite similar, but pink, a month or so ago at the market, by a travelling crafty girl, and Keira loved it, so that was furthur motivation to make more. And there are little dresses all around- this morning I saw these sweet baby dresses (reversible!)- those Anenome girls are so clever.

I think this is the kind of garment that is quite useful for a little girl, because it can gradually become a top as she grows taller. And one could make it from a thicker fabric, such as needlecord or wool, for a winter dress/top over pants.

While your daughter still lets you dress her, that is. How long do you think I've got?

Comments

[Lori]

Adorable!!!

[Jess]

This is so cute! I agree, so great for winter. I love putting my girls in little dresses over their pants in winter.
I finally have my blog up and running - check it out if you have a chance.

Jess

[kates]

keira seems to have grown heaps, i love her wee hair cut

[Rachelle]

Gorgeous! Dress and daughter!

[Kimberley]

That is almost the same pattern as my high school uniform - the fabric that is not the design of the dress. Is there a pattern for a similar styled dress for adults?

[Helen]

That is so sweet! What size is Keira now? I got something at the op-shop last week with her in mind, but looking at these photos I'm wondering if it'll be too small...

xx Helen

[kirsten]

very cute! - my friend just made a similar one for her little bebe - out of a thicker fabric:
http://rachelleferris.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/new-dress/

[Sarah]

RE: how long do you have to dress her: Well, she looks to be about the size of Jack, who is 2, and I have already lost control of his wardrobe! It is all trucks and Thomas over here these days.

[rachael]

yep...you've probably got about 3 weeks to go!!! It can be quite sweet when they start to dress themselves though. My friend's little 2 year old has just discovered Thomas and only wants to waer t-shirts with a train on the front. He very sweetly points proudly to his shirt with a little grin on his face. But on the other hand you tend to get a fair bit of foot stomping and screeching as well!!

(would you use Peter Rabbit fabric? It's pale blue and white gingham type stuff with sweet pictures of Gemima Puddleduck, bunnies, little insects, butterflies and things. Might be good for pockets or patches or those little dancing skirts).

[Kelli]

I'm telling you, if that were my size I would wear it in a heartbeat. SO cute. Your wee ones are always dressed so well. :)

[Kate]

Very cute dress, she looks adorable in it!

[Jo]

I love it and everything about it. The gingham (I'm a red gingham girl myself), the tie, the neck line, how it sits. Brilliant. And yes, big girls sizes! Not only would they look fantastic, but I would imagine they could hide a multitude of sins.

[Michelle]

That is completely cute. It would pass "the Hug Test" that we have for all clothes around here--When Lillian comes out in the morning wearing her outfit I ask if it's passed the Hug Test and she throws out her arms and lets me hug her. It's really just an excuse you know. :)

If I made it in pink she'd wear it even though she's independent about the dressing herself thing.

[Krista]

She looks simply adorable. I love that style.

[Annie]

Lovely! Looks like she'll be able to wear it for a good while, too.

[Janet]

Aw that dress is so cute, and Keira looks gorgeous in it. I've got a soft spot for gingham too.

Hopefully you'll have a while. We've had a series of refusals with some little green shorts that Grace just would not, under any circumstances, be dressed in. Arrgh, she's not even two. Still most things I choose are still acceptable.

[steph]

absolutely gorgeous! she looks beautiful!

[Sue]

I absolutely love gingham too. It always looks fresh and never dates.
Love the little dress and yes it would be a great style for winter too.

[Elisabeth]

how long you got? with clothes as cute and pretty as that, I'd say you have forever ;) I definitely wouldn't mind making a dress/top like that for myself... must go and find a pattern!

Elisabeth

[Elisabeth]

how long you got? with clothes as cute and pretty as that, I'd say you have forever ;) I definitely wouldn't mind making a dress/top like that for myself... must go and find a pattern!

Elisabeth

[katie]

You're doing very well by still being able to choose your kids clothes - Martha was very young when she decided her chioces were better than mine - and wore 'boy clothes' for most of her childhood - resisting all my attempts to plait her hair and buy pink - now she's as feminine as they come - but at 21 I definately don't get a say! so enjoy this time! and keep making beautiful clothes like that one!!!

[meg]

that is super adorable! nice job!

[Ruth]

That is so cute!

[Dawn]

Way to cute. I love the gingham for summer clothes.

[katie]

Absolutely adorable. I bet the basic structure (and definitely the fabrics) could look cute as an adult top as well.