Friday, July 9, 2010

Sewing: Pretty Posie Dresses


 

I love full and flowery dresses for the summer, and they are perfect for one of my girls' favorite activities:

Ring around the Rosies,


Pocket full of posies,




Ashes, ashes,...   


We all fall down!

How cute are two sisters playing Ring Around the Rosies? The only thing I would rather watch more is three sisters playing Ring Around the Rosies! Maybe in a year or two!

 

 

I got Audrey and Scarlett out of the wading pool to take pictures in these dresses because the light looked so summery in the backyard. I have loved the photography I've seen from Wildflowers Photography this summer and wanted to try something inspired by her work--with lots of warm yellows, strong sun, and some burnout.  Pretty different from my usual shots and fun to play around with. Wish I could do it like she does!


The idea for these dresses began when I saw this gorgeous cotton voile on the clearance table at JoAnn last summer--couldn't resist buying a few yards even though I didn't have a project in mind. I bought a bit much perhaps as I still have some of  both colors left, but then that gives me the option to make something for myself next summer, or maybe a skirt for Audrey to wear in a couple years when her younger sisters can wear these dresses. There's no information on the selvage so I'm not sure who designed and produced this.

I wanted a very young, feminine look for these dresses, and something full to take best advantage of the pattern and weight of this fabric. And I love this old pattern of my mom's. I remember her sewing dresses for my younger sisters with this! So old fashioned, I guess in a seventies way. This pattern is for a size 1 so I used Simplicity 3511 with some modifications: I combined views, increased the fullness of the dress, lengthened and increased the fullness of the ruffled and finished the sleeves with a ruffle too. 

 

I thought it would be nice if the dresses had a little punch of contrast so I crocheted two little flowers (posies) for the bodice.


 

I added a solid voile lining so the dresses aren't so transparent.


Pretty posie dresses!


11 comments:

Kara said...

I can't believe you find this stuff at JoAnn's! It is so fab. The dresses are so darling.

Julia said...

Oh, you are so very talented! The dresses turned out beautifully and I adore vintage patterns, too. I just loved the patriotic dresses. You are so inspiring!!

~Julia

Unknown said...

Wonderful job! The little flower accent is such a nice touch - girls are so much fun and yours are A-dorable!!

Lindsay

Robin said...

Just lovely! Your work is so neat and I like how you take time to do the little details (like your crocheted flowers) to give the finished item that extra zing!

KasiaJ said...

Beautiful! I love how you modified the sleeves.

Unknown said...

These dresses are adorable... You did such a fantastic job!
I am new follower to your blog via luvinthemommyhood and literally can't stop reading.

joso said...

I just discovered your blog and I love these dresses! I am inspired to attempt this but it might be to advanced. The neckline and the puffy sleeves are so adorable and the print on the fabric is very cool.

Andrea said...

Great dresses!! Love the photos. Stop by and link up sometime to Make It Wear It at TheTrainToCrazy.com!

Morgane @ Bear,Dolly and Moi said...

cute dresses, beautiful little girls and great pictures! very inspiring post.
Lining the dresses was a great idea.

Karie said...

Cute, cute dresses. Darling little girls to wear them. You did a great job. Thanks for sharing.

jen @ homeinthecountry said...

These dresses are wonderful, and your girls are beautiful! How exciting to be welcoming a third into the mix!

Also, I loved your 4th of July dresses - so so cute! Makes me want a baby girl of my own to dress up! :)

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