Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Sewing: Madras Patchwork Ruffle Dress and Apron Dress



Audrey loves the idea of dressing like her father. They have similar baseball caps, similar pique shirts, similar shoes...so she was excited when I told her she would have a dress to match her daddy's tie. Phew! Because I was crazy about this madras patchwork fabric and would have been sorely disappointed if she didn't like it for some reason. Their Daddy may have gotten a bit more than he bargained for when he asked for the tie, because Scarlett got a matching dress too. Truth be told, I had the dresses planned already, so I warned him, he was signing up for some photos... What a sport.


First, Audrey's dress. I loved the idea of doing something generous with this blur of plaid.  Typically I guess one would go for a more simple fabric when thinking about ruffles, but I loved the idea with this patchwork. As often happens, I had this dress in my head and then went to look for patterns.


I ended up using Simplicity 3512 as a starting point. It has a mock wrap bodice but I made this one functional. I also cut down the neckline so the wrap closes at the waist.




The pattern has a cute godet skirt but I wanted more fullness so I added a full skirt based on a vintage pattern in my collection. It's probably about four times the fullness of the waist. So cute!


I made the ruffle a bit taller. I wish I hadn't run out of fabric or I might have added a bit more.


To make the wrap function I added buttons down the diagonal. I chose a light tortoise shell button. I think this madras plaid would look fantastic with khaki, such as a khaki poplin suit (hint to my husband). I was thinking about pairing the dresses with the girls' gold Saltwater sandals from the wedding, but went with white instead to coordinate with their daddy's seersucker. Pretty preppy. I have always had a soft spot for preppy. What do you expect from a product of the eighties?


The dress doesn't have a wrap skirt, but instead I created a placket opening at the top of the skirt.


The other half of the bodice buttons closed at the waist. Because I fully lined the dress it was a bit tricky figuring out the construction but I only had to rip out one little seam. I felt lucky there wasn't more trial and error! And I was worried about the fit--Audrey's clothes are looking so large to me now! But thankfully it fits, with some room, so hopefully it will work next year too. I really need to get a dress form to eliminate some of the guesswork!
 

And for Scarlett, I went a completely different direction: a simple apron wrap dress. I love these lines on her. I love the apron tie in front! (That's two fingers for "two years old.")


I remember my mother wearing something like this. I can picture it: a light denim apron dress with a faded red t-shirt underneath. It was so effortles and still chic. She wore it when she might have otherwise worn jeans. She had good legs.


It looks pretty cute on Scarlett too. I had seen a pattern in my vintage collection for a dress like this but when I went to look at it I realized the envelope was empty! Such a bummer. But then I made my own pattern and it was even more fun!


The vintage pattern tied around the neck. I made mine with a criss-cross. A little easier to wear I think, though this dress could easily be worn that way too, especially by a child who could tie it herself.


I'm working on the pattern for this to share soon. (UPDATE: the Apron Wrap Dress Pattern is here.)


Would have been nice if I'd made these dresses earlier in the summer. Oh well. Hopefully they won't be too short next summer and I'll feel a bit ahead of the seaon for once!


Here's to the ritual end of summer.  Hard to believe! I guess I better start thinking about Fall...


22 comments:

Irēna said...

beautiful dresses and a nice family!

Vanilla said...

i love the madras dresses!!! they look so sporty and yet so girly like. And who would imagine that madras would go well with ruffles? Great idea!

Kara said...

Oh how I love a good madras. Can I have one of each of the dresses in my size?! Your family is just beautiful.

Jo said...

I love the dresses AND the tie! You are so clever to wing it when the patterns don't suit your design!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my!! How adorable! Love that used the madras for hte girls, you always see it for the boys, but rarely for the girls. Beautiful again!

tasha said...

i LOVE these madras dresses!! so so cute..i would definitely put these on my daughter. you're so talented!!

Anonymous said...

Those dresses are beautiful! I wish we had a few if the ruffled ones over here!

Molly said...

Oh my! I LOVED the story about your hubby's tie, how sweet that he wanted you to make something for him. And so specific! These pics just top it off. He looks so proud and they match, but in a really cute way!
The ruffled shirt dress is adorable! Everything is precious!

dana said...

cute Anneliese! I love it all!

Liz said...

The dresses are beautiful! I love what you did with Audrey's.

Εύη said...

Good morning from Athens,Greece!!!! Ι visit your blog very often! First of all you have a wonderful family!!!! Your girls they are so sweet !!!! I wish you are always well and happy!!!
I want to tell them you are doing is wonderful, I watch your photos again and again , I like your tutorial and made the blue sweater for baby !!!
Sorry for my poor english and I hope you understand me
Many kisses for all

French Press Knits said...

Both dresses are equally stunning. I can't decide which one I like more. The details are just perfect.

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy said...

Love, love, love this! Your ruffle dress is fabulous, and I cannot wait for the tutorial / pattern to come out for the apron dress! It is simply perfect!

Tonya said...

Gorgeous work! I love that fabric...and your oldest daughter's dress form is just divine! I wish I knew how to use my serger so I could keep up with you! I bought it and it's been sitting on a table for four months because I am so intimidated!!! haha!

Seaweed and Raine said...

Ok, firstly the fabric - Ooohhh yes! :) There is something so natural about it. And paired with ruffles? Yes please. I totally love the animated pics of Audry - so gorgeous!
Scarlett's little apron dress is fab too - efortless chic is right. I could so imagine a grown up version of this. Great job Anneliese! :)

Dagmar said...

all I can say is you are simply amazing..what a talent you have...how special your bond with your family is!
xo

Very Shannon said...

Oh gosh my dear, these are stunning and I cannot wait for the pattern for the second dress! So gorgeous! And what a beauty you ladies all are! So pretty!

needlekrafter said...

so lovely, the dresses, tie and your family! :) you are blessed immeasurably. :)

Amy Lynn said...

i love how these turned out, especially the mock wrap--adorable! are you doing the kids clothes week challenge this fall?

Adrienne said...

This is so sweet & cute! (that is lovely fabric!)

Emily said...

Love the ruffles on the dress. What a great family picture! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm over here having followed a Pinterest pin and I've become absorbed in your site. You're a very talented lady! This ruffle dress is lovely and if the sewing machine didn't growl at me every time I approached I might be tempted to at least try a bit of sewing! As it is, I'm eyeing up your crochet patterns (which I *can* thankfully cope with).

Keep up the good work. :)

Jayne

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