I stayed up late finishing a dress on Labor Day. It didn’t cross my mind at the time since Tuesday was just a regular day for us, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I spend future Labor Days that way too, making first day of school dresses for Lila. We’re home together for another year, but I guess this could be considered her honorary back to school dress.
Not that she would’ve been able to wear it anyway – it’s been in the 90s all week. That’s always the way it is at back to school time around these parts.
Speaking of school, I can’t help but feel a bit jealous of my stay-at-home mom friends who started their only children in preschool this week. I keep finding myself fantasizing about the handful of hours they’ll have to sew, or grocery shop alone, or just not entertain their kid. It’s bittersweet, I know, and I’m sure I’ll be a disaster on Lila’s first day of preschool. But in theory, the whole school thing sounds kind of amazing. The extent of back to school for us is a class at the community center promisingly entitled, “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance.” I have to attend and participate though, so yeah, not quite the same thing…
But back to the dress.
The pattern is the Oliver + S Jump Rope Dress – I made view A back in June, but this is my first go at view B. It went so much faster the second time around – view B is a simpler design, and I already had one placket under my belt. The placket requires the most time and precision, but the pattern really isn’t difficult, and it’s a very satisfying sew.
If it wasn’t obvious from three of my last four projects, I’ve really been loving chambray lately. I bought the gray with this dress in mind and had to restock after using it for my Go Anywhere bag. And I used the blue for Lila’s baby carrier. It’s versatile stuff!
The inside placket, pocket binding, and covered buttons are Empire Weave in Dandelion from Joel Dewberry’s Heirloom line. Everything’s top-stitched in yellow.
The cuffed sleeves and gathered pockets are my favorite details:
I made a 2T this time – it’s a little on the roomy side, but that’s how new school clothes are supposed to fit, right?
Sorry about the shoes – she’s been dead-set on wearing them that way for weeks. I find it a little bit distracting, but it doesn’t seem worth fighting over – and even if we did, I wouldn’t win.
And as we all know, sometimes photo shoots require bribes, so I put a little treat in her pocket to sweeten the deal.
Looking…..
Found it!
Oooooh it’s adorb. I love your contrast topstitching and the chambray is great. Lila is such a cutie! Gotta add this pattern to my collection,,,
I LOVE the grey with yellow accents! It’s a beautiful dress.
i’ve always liked this view better than view a. i’ve also debated on whether to get this pattern but there is only the smaller size available. now i’m super tempted though. love the yellow and the topstitching details.
thanks 🙂 i saw the bigger size at fabric depot last week!
I am in LOVE with this. The yellow and gray is fabulous.
Love the pockets. That last photo made the bribe worth it!
Thank is just so cute and very nicely done. I haven’t made anything for my girl in such a long time. She is big now (6!) and has too many of her own opinions about what she likes to wear—mostly knits these days which is why I took a class on that last year. Your little cutie in this dress is inspiring me to get back on it!
oh you should! i just looked through your blog (again) – you’ve made so many beautiful and inspiring things for your daughter. especially all the japanese patterns – gorgeous!
I love the fabrics you choose. I’m usually too tempted to make clothes for K out of scraps of leftovers that might not be totally appropriate.
We put her in daycare a couple of hours a week started last week and it is GLORIOUS! I can scrub the tub or sew or talk on the phone. The possibilities are dazzling.
Yep, that’s what I’m talking about – enjoy it!!
It’s really lovely. I left a comment on flickr too, but I just had to come here and see the whole story. I think you’re right to be envious of the other moms with kids all off in school! I know a mom who sent her two both to school last fall and has 12 whole hours a week to herself! That does sound wonderful, doesn’t it?
Love the pockets!
A very classy, pretty dress 🙂
Beautifully done.
How adorable! Those little pockets are perfect for treats and treasures. I’ve never worked with chambray, but I’ll be looking for it in the fabric store now!
I love this view. It’s the only one I’ve tried though. I plan to make one of View A someday. I especially love the covered buttons and contrasting top stitching…it just ties it all together nicely. Beautiful work.
Oh, but the shoes make the outfit! What a cute dress. Love those pockets.
Beautiful! She’s a doll too!
Were these the pockets that came with the pattern? I really like these!
Yep, the pattern comes with two different pockets for the two views of the dress. These are the view B pockets.
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