Hi there! Hope you’re enjoying the run up to Christmas? I’m slowly starting to unwind now I’ve finished work for the year and school has finished. Now if I could just get my eldest to relax a little, talk about worn out!
It’s just a quick post today to talk about 3 dresses which I’ve already posted on Instagram. I fell victim to temptation when @lisalooby1234 posted a photo on Instagram of the new jersey fabrics she’d received from Fabric Styles, a website I hadn’t come across before.
I went and had a nosey and, at around £4 a metre, had soon added 3 different designs to my shopping basket. I chose a metre each of a red print with snowmen and a black print with Santa, and 2 metres of a black fabric with a reindeer print. Clearly sewing for the girls was the excuse, but inspired by those skater dress adverts which keep appearing on Facebook (is that just me?) I decided to join the fun.
I quickly made a version for each of the girls, using the Kitschy Coo Skater Dress, which I’ve used before last year. I once again went with the actual measurements of my girls. The table from the pattern indicates that, for a chest size of 25″, a size 5/6 should be made and, for a chest size of 23″, a size 3/4 should be made.
Both of these are at least one size name if not 2 below what I’d normally make for the girls but I went with it, and I’m very glad I did. The dresses I have will probably fit the girls next Christmas as well, if not the one after. But they are very pleased with them and they are wearable, if not a little long.
I should mention that my 6 year old girl normally wears a size 7/8 so she is very tall for her age; little sister is a little shorter proportionately, but still one of the tallest at her nurseries. Be warned before running this pattern up for your kids!
For myself, I made the grown up version of the same pattern, the Lady Skater dress. I’d been resisting buying this, thinking I could make do with the Moneta for stretch dresses, but I’ve really got to prefer the non-gathered waist this pattern offers and so I gave in.
And I’m quite pleased that I did. The pattern, like its little sister, comes together easily. I prefer the finish I get with my usual method of neck binding ( I normally sew both shoulder seams, sew the neck band into a circle, and then stretch to meet the neckline space as sewing; this pattern has you sew one shoulder seam, attach the neck binding and then complete the circle) but that’s easy to replace.
I have already made a second version of this; the adjustments I’ve made make the fit spot on for me, but this version is totally wearable. I’m just kicking myself for not adding pockets: all dresses should have pockets!
Anyway, for a Christmas dress, it’s a lot of fun, particularly with a gold belt and my new gold Clarks brogues. Also, it’s a lot comfier in warm rooms (like, say, the school’s Christmas Fair) than a big wooly comedy jumper, so win all round!
So, at long last, I have done what I said I would never, ever do and made a dress which allows me to match my children. Ain’t Christmas grand?
These are so cute!!! I like yours the best, the reindeer are adorable. I always say why should the kids get all the cute patterns to themselves.
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It looks fab Becca! Sorry for corrupting you but feel it’s an obligation of being a good IG friend 😜. I wore mine to Meadowhall last week and was absolutely buzzing when the assistants in Ted Baker said how much they loved my dress! Small things eh! Xx
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Major compliment! Thanks for being a bad influence 😂
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Have a great Christmas Becca. Your girls look lovely in their dresses – as do you! Maybe we’ll meet up again in 2017? x
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That’d be lovely, Jane! Hope you have a good Christmas too 😘
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You all look fabulously festive! I’ve had a look too and nearly bought some too. Now I’m wondering if there’s still time…..
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At the speed you sew? I would think so!
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It’s the postie I’m worried about 😃
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Oh wow they are adorable! But good on ya for making Christmas dresses! I’m hoping next year that’ll we have matching pj’s! 😂 x
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I thought of that but then Asda were selling ones that would make Rich look like a giant elf….. 😈
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The ultimate cuteness… All of you! Merry Christmas!
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Great dresses, your girls look adorable and your dress is so fab that I wish I had one, maybe next year 🙂 I agree with the gathered waist too, I’m going to check out the link now because I’ve not heard of them before either.
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