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Sep
4
A PERSONAL NEWSFLASH: We are NOT big fans of cooler weather….because cooler weather means that COLDER weather is right around the corner.
So, when it came time to plan the fall/winter wardrobe pieces for the girls, it proved quite the challenge. First of all, the children’s fabric selection for the winter months isn’t what the spring/summer seasons have to offer. One must get creative, so to speak. Many prints seem heavy, drab, and dull for children’s wear.
Ashley {frances} spied the fabric, Little Apples in Gray, by Aneela Hoey for Moda, that she thought might make the season transition flawlessly. I, however, remained unconvinced. Still, we bought it, unsure of what we were going to make with it….and then, everything began to come together: coordinating piping, hem facing, and SPECTACULAR buttons – front and back!
We opted to use the Oliver + S, Family Reunion pattern since we had not sewn it before. AND, OH WOW! It was as if this pattern were made just for us…..every ‘subtle detail’ component we love adding to our garments was included in this pattern. It had piping, top-stitching, decorative buttons, and tucks. We were in sewing heaven!
We made the 18-24 months size, and extended the length by 2 inches….thinking she might need it for her height. Looking back, I guess we should have measured first, because it ended up being a bit big everywhere! She didn’t need the added length, and could have possibly worn the 12-18 month version.
We have another “Family Reunion” on our sewing to-do list in the next few weeks, and are in need of some feedback/advice: should we, or should we not, attempt a 12-18 month size for our niece? Given your experience with this pattern (and based on our pictures), is it one that might work using a smaller size for her? We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this pattern, and it has become our go-to pattern when fabric shopping. I don’t know how many times we’ve said, “Maybe we could make a Family Reunion dress with this fabric!” Eeek…stop the madness!
Now….the ‘photo session’ with the niece didn’t go so well. All we wanted her to do was stand in front of a wall, but the only spot she would eventually go was the corner!! HILARIOUS!
“Are we done yet?!?!? I really need to start charging by the shot….”
“If I stick my nose here, maybe they will go away!”
We finally decided that it must have been a subliminal message of where she needed to be placed….that little stinker! Obviously, an apple a day doesn’t keep a stinker away!
You win some, you lose some…
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I love this dress as well (fabric, piping, buttons all perfect). For my daughter, the neckline was quite a bit wider than I’m used to on Oliver & S patterns, so for the next one I added 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to the inside of the neckline when I cut the facing and the two pieces of the whatever-the-neckline-is-called, and that made the dress fit beautifully for her. I always like my handmade clothes to last as long as they can, so I tend to make them a little on the larger side. Just my two cents.
Beautiful dress on your beautiful niece!
Thanks for the helpful advice! So, to clarify, when you made your daughter’s second Family Reunion dress, the yoke area was just wider overall? Again, thank you for sharing what has worked for you…
When I cut the pieces for the neckband/yoke and the facing, I just added 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to the inside edge of each piece. This simple fix made the neckline of the dress not quite as low-cut or as wide on her shoulders. The rest of the dress I kept the same. If I’m not being clear (pregnancy brain), feel free to email me at leigh dot cranmer at gmail dot com and I’ll send a diagram (those are usually much easier for me to understand).
This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing!
http://www.blissfulsewing.blogspot.com
So perfect for fall! I forgot I had to lengthen it (and my daughter is shorter for her age). Thanks for the reminder.