Zaza Zoo Dress

A very good morning to you all.

Today, I'm going to show you yet another dress I've made for Violet - are you bored with them yet?  I hope not, because I've got more planned.

If you remember, I was going to make another Caroline dress (Simplicity #1452) using some bright pink flower fabric.

Though whilst Violet and I were browsing the haberdashery department in John Lewis the other week, she spotted this bright yellow, bird fabric and asked if I'd make her a dress in it.  

I teamed it up with some yellow and white polka dot fabric and it came together beautifully.

She hasn't taken it off since I finished it.

I made a few modifications:

Firstly, the dress length was a little on the short side, so I added a couple of extra inches. 

Secondly, I hate messing on with sewing ties inside out, and then having the nightmare of trying to turn something so narrow.  So I made the ties for this dress using the same method I would use to make bias binding (fold and press the fabric down it's length, open out, then fold a press the edges in to the middle crease).  I then sewed all around the edges of the ties.  Folding one end over twice, and sewing in place to stop any fraying.

Thirdly, I like a concealed zip.  So I sewed all the back panels (skirt and top pieces) together first, positioned the zip down the centre seam and then sewed in place.  I then used my seam ripper to open up the centre back seam to reveal the zip.  For me, this method also means that my back panels align properly. 

I love this dress and will definitely use this pattern again.  Next time I might buy extra contrasting fabric and position it along the bottom of the skirt.

Pattern: Simplicity #1703 (size 5)

Main Fabric: Zaza Zoo Grass in Yellow - £16 per metre.  I used 1.10 metres.

Contrasting Fabric: Scandi Blue Spot in Citrine - £16 per metre.  I used 40cm.

12" yellow zipper.

Lightweight fusible interfacing.

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Caroline Dress

The postie delivered me a package of pretty flowery fabric last week.

This one is called Caroline.

I couldn't wait to start sewing with it, so I cut out all the pattern pieces to make this lovely little girl's dress by Simplicity.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week was quite busy, and I only managed to grab a quick hour at my sewing machine on Friday.

Yesterday, I decided that the ironing could wait, my time would be much better spent, finishing off Violet's dress.

The rain even stopped long enough for me to take a photo of Violet wearing it.

I know she doesn't look very happy in this photo, but the sun was in her eyes.

This pattern was relatively easy to follow, though I will make myself extra little notes, which will help me when I come to make this again.

The only modifications I made were to add a few extra inches to the length because I wanted it a tad longer the pattern called for.  Also, I omitted the ribbon around the waist, and the little bows/ties on the top of each sleeve, as I didn't feel this dress needed them.

Violet's very happy with too, and wouldn't take it off for the rest of the evening. Apparently, she loves me making dresses for her.

Which, is a good job, because I've got this bright flowery fabric to make another.....

This one is a cotton Poplin called Gaga.

Fabrics: Caroline and Gaga were both purchased from Croft Mill UK Ltd. (£6.95 per metre).

Pattern: Simplicity #1452 (I made view A, age 6)

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Patterns

We've got a family wedding to attend this July, and Violet's asked me to make her a dress in the same fabric I used to back her birthday quilt with.

She's mad for horses at the moment.

Instead of using the exact same colourway (aqua), I've gone with same pattern, but this time in a Salmon.

I've just got to decide which dress pattern to use - they're both really pretty.

I purchased the patterns from www.simplicitynewlook.com.  They are currently offering all Simplicity patterns at 50% off.!!!  It would have been rude not to order a few more....................

I'm totally loving these two 1940's patterns. If Violet's dress making goes well, I may consider making myself the dress on the left. 

While I'm on the subject of sewing.  I picked up these two pretty dresses from TKMaxx yesterday - today my plan is to turn them in to tops.

  

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