Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Sewing: Scarlett's Christmas Dress


Oh, the Christmas dresses. I love to sew them! And every year I vow to start earlier the next. I guess I succeeded this year somewhat because they are finished--but it felt a bit late for the purpose of a Christmas card photo. Oh well. There's always next year!


Early or late, I think this dress for Scarlett is just right! I love it on her. I think the princess seaming and fit-and-flare suits her. The collar--peter pan in front and sailor in the back--is too perfect! I also love all those buttons, which I finished sewing on after the photos. It's a story...


The tailored look seems just right for Miss Scarlett who is all about being in charge right now.


The pattern is a another vintage find (I find most of them on Etsy). Isn't it darling? It's a coat pattern, and a size two, so there was a bit of adjustment involved, including overall lengthening, taking in some seams, keeping the armholes a bit higher, and adding more buttons. 

It's made with more of the red-and-white gingham I've fallen in love with. I actually started out with the dress for Scarlett's birthday but then decided to do something more casual, thinking this would be perfect to save for Christmas.


All the cute details took time of course. And time has been scarce. But hopefully this is a dress that will be worn by more than one girl. That is if my covered buttons hold up. I've been disappointed to find a couple of them popping off their shanks on other dresses I've made. Such a bummer! Any ideas?


Scarlett was the best sport of the bunch for our Christmas card photo shoot, which was the usual comedy. Maybe it was the new dress.


37 comments:

  1. That turned out perfect! I love love love little girl dresses from vintage patterns. They are truly timeless!

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  2. This is simply brilliant.
    Scarlet is sooooo lucky. I wished I were your daughter.

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  3. The dress suits her perfectly. Excellent work.

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  4. To say I am in love with this dress is an understatement. I am in L.O.V.E. with this dress!!!! It really came out quite beautifully.

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  5. I think this has to be my favorite article of clothing for your girls that you've made...and I've loved a lot of them! The pattern matched with the red and white gingham, it is absolutely perfect!

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  6. This is GORGEOUS! simply stunning! I am envious of your sewing skills. And your daughter is too cute, to boot!

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  7. Gorgeous, as always! I absolutely love the fabric you used too. Can't wait to see your Christmas pictures, you have such a beautiful family. :)

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  8. Simply fabulous! Such a beautiful, timeless, dress! Great job! :)

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  9. What a cute dress. I love vintage patterns.

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  10. real cute, and the photography really brings out the look.

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  11. It's lovely! I've fallen in love with the vintage patterns too! I ordered one off Etsy to use for my daughter's Christmas dress, but then I bought a dress at a consignment sale, forgetting about my plan to make a Christmas dress. LOL I will use the pattern for another dress though! I just figured two Christmas dresses weren't necessary.

    As for the covered buttons, I have never had any pop apart. I use the smooth edge buttons, and when I press the fabric/shank on, I use the tool that came with the button maker, and use a spool of thread over that to press it evenly in place, as far as it possibly will go in. Another option is to use a hammer.

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  12. It's perfect! Does it come in my size? ;)

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  13. Beautiful!! You have inspired me!! I think I am going to try and find this pattern to make a dress for my 4 year old daughter! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  14. I use covered button A LOT and have found that if I use a little glue around the edge of the button before I snap on the back I have no problems with them coming apart. I found "Beacon's Bling n Beauty" glue at Joann's. It has a small tip for precise application. This glue is a wearable art glue used for embellishing with rhinestones, etc...
    Hope this helps.

    PS...The majority of clothing I make for my granddaughters is from patterns my grandmother used to make my clothes. EBay is also an excellent source for adding vintage patterns to your collection.

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  15. Very nice dress! You did a great job on it.

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  16. Beautiful dress, and I love the material. The pattern is just right, and shows in her last expression/photo! :)

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  17. Absolutely darling. I love the Peter pan collar in front moving to a sailor in the back...how clever is that?!

    And the princess seams aredarling in a little girl's version.

    Beautiful {as usual I might add.}

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  18. Beautiful dress! I love gingham on little girls - a true classic.

    I've had the problem with covered buttons, too. I think you meant that the actual metal loop shank comes loose from the back... had that happen on my daughter's easter dress this year. It's not a pressing together the button problem, but one of structural integrity! Perhaps I'll use a hidden clear button to make the actual closure and use the covered button just for looks next time, if that would work.

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  19. What a darling little dress (and a cute model)!

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  20. Dearest Anneliese,
    You are amazing! This is the sweetest little Christmas dress...and, the red and white checks are the perfect choice! You are inspiring me to dig out my vintage sewing patterns and to start sewing!
    Hugs to your darling little model!
    Carolynn

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  21. Anneliese-- this is so beautiful, and classic. Scarlett looks so sweet in it. You can't find things like this in the stores. Now just to try to find some simple boys patterns that are classic in style like this for my two little kiddos!

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  22. Stunning! I love it, now I need a little girl to sew for :)

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    Christine

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  23. Anneliese...this is simply gorgeous. She looks absolutely precious in that dress!

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  24. I love, love, love this dress! I've got some old ones in my stash, and I hope this is one of them. I'll have to check! I would never have thought to make a dress out of a coat, but this totally works! And the fabric is just perfect, too.

    I can't stand the covered button kits. I found some vintage ones from my grandmother's stash, and they were so much better than the ones they make today. The old ones had little teeth all around the opening of the back of the button that grabbed the fabric. No tools were required, and you just snapped the back into place. I have no idea why they changed the design.

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  25. oh this is darling! Love it Anneliese

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  26. Oh, totally gorgeous Anneliese! You have done an amazing job! (If I ever have a little girl I might have to hire you to make one for me ;) tee hee hee)
    Well done getting all the Christmas outfits done early. You are one astounding woman - you know that?
    Hope 2012 is off to a grand start for you (yes I'm just catching up on my reading now).
    S xox

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  27. This dress is to die for! I love the gingham.

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  28. Nice one.. Just to add up.. In choosing the type of fabric as according to your design. Make sure it is comfortable to the skin and is of high quality. Most women choose to wear dresses sewn with cotton fabric. Cotton fabric is easy to It is also the easiest material to work with. Also buy zippers, buttons and snaps for your dress’ locks.

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  29. My niece's name is Annalyse. I would love to have a copy of the pattern to make her a dress. Could you part with the pattern or could I get a copy of it? Thanks for sharing.

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