Lila graduated from preschool yesterday.
It seemed like a pretty big deal, so I made her a new dress.
It’s her second Oliver + S Hide-and-Seek dress – we’re both really fond of the first one, which has been in heavy rotation since March. This is very much that same dress – chambray, size 4 (this time I added a 1/2 inch in length), short sleeves, no notch – it all seemed to work last time, so I didn’t want to risk it by making too many changes.
The fun thing about this pattern, though, (besides the genius welt pockets) is that you can do something special with yoke, which is framed so nicely by the side panels and skirt. The yoke on this dress was pieced from a striped shot cotton (Kaffe Fassett’s Broad Stripe in Bliss), which I purchased at Bolt a few months ago with this very dress in mind. Rather than cutting the front yoke piece on the fold, I cut two pieces on the bias (with an added 1/4 inch seam allowance on either side) and pieced them together to form the V.
Now, I’m no quilter, and while I suppose point matching isn’t rocket science, I did manage to butcher my entire 1/2 yard trying to get those stripes to line up just right. My first attempts were laughably off, and even when I got the pieces cut out correctly, they didn’t especially want to match up – shot cotton has some stretch even on the grain, so it wasn’t terribly cooperative on the bias. But I tried, tried again, and it all came together well enough in the end.
And happily I was able to use the few remaining scraps to eke out some striped pockets.
I used the same Andover chambray as the last dress, this time in Denim. There’s so much to love about this fabric – the weight, the drape, the texture – it’s great for clothing and I pretty much want to use it to sew all the things. Luckily it comes in so many great colors that maybe nobody would notice if I did? The thought has crossed my mind.
So that’s it. Lila’s career as a preschooler is officially over. We went from this, her first day of preschool two years ago:
To this, her very last day:
She had such a happy year at school, and is so ready for Kindergarten, whether I’m ready for it or not. And no graduation is complete without a cheesy senior portrait to commemorate it all. It would’ve been better had she been peeking out from behind the tree (or maybe side lying with a tuba), but this one will have to do…
probablyactually.wordpress.com 
Wow, its fantastic- they grow up so fast my little one started school last september and now its almost time for him to start in the next class. I have just become recently infatuated with oliver and s and love to read your blog you have sewn some beautiful things x
She looks beautiful! Haven’t seen this pattern before but I know my daughter would wear one of these dresses to death. I love what you’ve done with the stripes – I’m useless at matching stripes on the bias but you’ve inspired me to give it a go.
The hide and seek dress is such a perfect pattern – I wasn’t entirely convinced when it was released but after seeing so many lovely versions and sewing one myself, I’m addicted.
My girl will also have it’s preschool graduation ceremony tomorrow (and yes, a new dress is an absolute must. I use a Ottobre pattern for mine).
Is amazing how much they change in the blink of an eye? Watching them grow is wonderful (but, oh, sometimes I still wish I could freeze time).
That dress is beautiful! And Lila looks so grown up. Well done on the stripe matching, that kind of thing does my head in.
All of the clothes are beautiful but that first little dress is precious.
I wish it was my size!
This dress is totally perfect!! You have such an eye for fabric, Gail, your combinations are just the best! I have just purchased this pattern and can’t wait to sew it up! (It helps that my daughters are, finally, now in the same size range in o+s patterns, so I don’t have to buy two 😉 )
Finally, Congratulations, Lila! Welcome to Kindergarten! My eldest just finished Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago, and we both loved everything about it. It was such a bittersweet experience– so happy the summer is here and we can all be together, but so sad this sweet stage is over. They grow up so very fast!
Lovely dress and I love the fabric combinations. Just perfect! And the pocket detail is so sweet.
Congratulations to Lila! It is amazing how quickly time flies. My little boy just turned two. I can’t believe it!
Congratulations Lila and Kristen 🙂 I still remember when my big girl graduated from pre-school. She wore a mama-made dress to. Your dress is beautiful. Best wishes for the next stage ❤
Sorry Gail :-s
Side lying with a tuba!! That made me giggle. Really beautiful dress — what a lucky daughter you have!
What a sweet little dress. I love the detail with the stripes. And your daughter looks so cute in this–perfect for her special day!
Love the dress! Well done.
Gail, this dress just made me smile. I love it! Your stripe matching is perfect and I really love this in the chambray! Tia has those same Salt Water Sandals, but it red. They’re so cute, but aren’t they such a pain to get on? Tia can never put them on by herself and with my big belly I feel like I struggle too sometimes! 🙂 I love this dress and the jump rope dress from her first day is pretty much the sweetest, too! 🙂
She is adorable, and this dress – this dress rocks my world. The rainbow chevron?!!! Omigosh!!! I love the Kaffe Fassett stripes and have several pieces in my stash that I haven’t used yet. Aren’t they just … luminous? Impeccable work as always Gail.
Congrats to Lilah on her preschool graduation:) My Lilah had her last day of Kindergarten today, which is a tough one to take as she will no longer stay home with me two days a week in the fall. Hard when it’s your baby . . .
Love it that Lila is wearing O & S dresses in her milestone photos! I think that sending her off to school in a mama-made dress is a bit like sending her with a little bit of extra love. And kudos on sticking with it on the fabric matching – the end result looks amazing!
Just gorgeous! Love the yoke and pocket details. Your dress is making me rethink a pattern I’d previously passed over in favor of other O+S patterns. Fantastic job.
What a beautiful dress.
Teehee, a tuba! Hilarious. Fantastic H&S, way to stick with the rainbow piecing because it turned out perfectly. Em would love a dress like this, being as rainbow-obsessed as she is. Off topic: now that it’s almost summer, we need to come swimming at your pool – that place is so cool.
Snorted my tea out my nose with the tuba comment!
This dress is gorgeous. You’ve made me want to sew one immediately! I hear you on the stripe matching chevron troubles (red wine and a devil may care attitude always seems to work for me!) but you executed it perfectly in the end.
Yet another perfect Supergail dress!
Beautiful dress! The stripe matching is perfect- I had no idea it was pieced from the picture! And I’m loving that andover chambray fabric too.
Love your dress, and seeing both your versions of this dress, I am loving this pattern more and more. I really want to make one right away 🙂 I think you are one fabulous user of chambrays!
this dress is just so beautiful and perfect and lovely! Your hide and seek dresses are surely having me feel like I must get the pattern now! 😉 I love both. And, oh my goodness! off to kindergarten next year?! My daughter is finishing kindergarten on friday and I just can’t believe how quickly the year has passed!
Your rainbow Hide and Seek Dress is just stunning. I love everything about it…..
looking at all of the wonderful clothes you have made for your sweet adorable daughter reminds me of the days when I made all my daughters dresses. Tomorrow she graduates from high school, unbelievable. Your pieces are impeccable – she will one day remember each one as a token of your love!
What a gorgeous dress!! I want to make one now
This is perfect, Gail. Love everything about the newest h&s dress- you have such superb taste and sewing skills! And congratulations, Lila!
[…] more about this dress in her blog post here and see the rainbow striped pockets, […]
It is made beautifully! Oh now maybe this is my favourite version of this dress…
Wow! This is just stunning. I saw the front view on IG but the back view is even better. Definitely worth all the effort that went into it.
This is so beautiful! Those stripes make it so special, certainly worth the effort!
The pattern on the O+S site isn’t particularly attractive… but your pictures make me want to buy the pattern for my 6 year old! I know that she would love the pockets, too.