Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Sewing: CrissCross Smock for Tess


I just finished a crisscross smock and matching diaper cover for Tess. I love this classic pinafore shape. I'm sure you've seen many patterns for something similar. I used Butterick 5439, which I've used before--for a polka dot version for Audrey's first birthday.


Taking these pictures of Tess reminded me so much of Audrey when she was close to this age! We have a few pictures of her with a little red bow in her hair. There are some strong similarities but Tess is the bleached version! 


And looking so grown up all of a sudden! And pleased with herself.


But, what, you may ask, could I be thinking with this sort of outfit in late October? Well, I'd had it cut out for months intending it for this past summer and just didn't get to it. But I picked it up again in the middle of my gingham spree (see here and here and here) because I thought of a cute holiday ensemble for Little Miss Tess. So "layering" is the answer to why this and why now.


This crisscross smock will be a pinafore over a couple other things. It will be cute I think! But I couldn't resist taking some photos of Tess bare armed and bare legged and barefoot! And she can certainly wear it this way next summer, although maybe with a pair of shorts.


I love this natural linen! I used it for this Modern Farm Birthday Dress and these Double Layer Pillowcase Dresses, and I'm not finished with it yet! It's such a great weight and a great neutral, and though I love the idea of "no linen after Labor Day" I think this particular weight and color works even when summer is past.

 

I paired it with some red rickrack. I think this would be called "medium" sized. I was thinking of using the baby stuff but I was in a bit of a rush to be that precise. My favorite part the way this left strap turned out. The rickrack and button hole are perfect! Not so much with the other strap, but that's ok.


I used the MADE pattern for a diaper cover, which is darling and seamless on the backside. I didn't finish the side seams before I starting making the casings so I zigzagged along them catching the raw edges of the seam allowance and I rather like the result. A bit of added texture.


Tess was in such a great mood playing in her sister's room this morning that it was hard to be more selective with the photos and I just had to include these last two of her trying to put the lens cover back on the camera. Perhaps she is an assistant-to-be, or maybe she was just finished with her photo session!

16 comments:

  1. Oh Anneliese! She is so cute!!! Where can I get one? LOL I love the little outfit - it all comes together so nicely. I'm sure layered it will work for a while longer anyway. :) You make such lovely things. Your girls are blessed to have such a talented Mummy.

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  2. What a cutie pie! She is just ADORABLE! And the dress you made is also :) Love the ric-rac detail....just makes it sooo cute. I wanna make on for my lil girl!

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  3. Both of your little girls are quite darling! I love this dress with the criss-cross straps. I think I'll have to make a note of the pattern number for future reference! :)

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  4. love the ric-rac - too cute!

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  5. What a cutie! The ricrac looks awesome!!!

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  6. Love the precious dress but OH that baby she's darling, her hair is just wonderful :) E in TN

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  7. Your children are the absolute cutest and sweetest! I can't wait for grandkids! I love the linen jumper and red ric-rac. I can see it with some redwork embroidered on it somewhere. Thanks for sharing. Mona

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  8. Who could possibly look at the dress and diaper cover... Oh my that sweet little girl is beautiful, I mean just naturally sweet precious beautiful... Your family is adorable!

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  9. The ric-rac detail is so nice. Lovely outfit.

    I think in the 6th picture down Tess looks like Audrey's (blond) twin, the look on her face is so similar to Audrey.

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  10. How blessed you are to have such a sweetie and to be able to sew such a cute dress!! Love it!

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  11. oh she is super super cute!!! and that dress on her is just amazing!
    great pix!


    http://infinitelifefitness.com
    http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

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  12. i can't imagine a cuter little girl- she is so sweet and proud in the beautiful dress you made for her. i'm inspired by your blog- you are so incredible with all of the amazing things that you make and do for your three children. i hope that some day i'm able to do things as wonderfully as you seem to! :)

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  13. aw. so sweet! And funny, I'm actually hoping to share a pinafore pattern in my book. Love how simple you left it with the ric rac. really cute.

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  14. She is so cute! I love her hair!

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  15. Such a cute outfit! And what a precious, tiny model!

    The red rickrack and buttons make the perfect accents - I adore them against the natural linen!

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  16. I used to make this pattern for my girls (now 32 & 30) and forgot all about until I saw your post. I used to line mine with a complimentary fabric and put buttons on both sides so I could reverse it. Never failed we would go somewhere and the girls would get dirty and still have more to do. I just flipped it around and wiped them up, all clean again. Thanks for the reminder, l now have 3 grand daughters l can make these for.

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