We’re at that point in the summer where despite the heat, sewing warm weather clothes doesn’t make much sense anymore. Kindergarten starts in less than three weeks, and the list of things I want to sew for fall just keeps growing. I guess this is sort of an in-between dress – the navy feels like fall, and the double gauze is light and summery. And Rae‘s all-mighty Geranium Dress pattern is just right for every season, of course.
The Geranium is far and away Lila’s favorite dress to wear. These two (and especially that first one) have been in constant rotation for a full 18 months now. Her devotion to that Amy Butler number has been especially unwavering – we’re talking at least once or twice a week – pretty much whenever it’s clean and I’m not able to talk her into something else. They’re both nice enough dresses, but it’s seriously starting to hurt my eyes to see her wear them. They’re just a tad short, too, like about three inches above the knee. It’s been time for new Geraniums for a loooooong while.
I couldn’t bring myself to do anything but those cute little faux cap sleeves, but this time I sewed view A from the waist down – gathers and patch pockets. Gathers seemed like the way to go with double gauze.
The bodice is lined with Art Gallery Pure Elements in Sweet Mint, which I dare say is the perfect shade of mint green. And mint buttons to match.
I found the double gauze (made by Pickering International) at a great little local shop called Josephine’s Dry Goods. It’s beautifully soft and reverses to white with navy dots on the other side. I only bought one yard, but luckily it’s 56″ wide and I was able to squeeze a size 5 out of it. Just barely.
Anyway, there’s not a whole lot I can say about the Geranium pattern that hasn’t been said before – it’s great! Your kid (if she’s anything like mine) will love it! I’m off to make a few more.
Looks so lovely and neat and well made and simple and classic all at the same time. The kind of dress that will work for so many occasions. I’m in love.
i’m right there with ya–all the sudden it is fall sewing time and it is 86 degrees out here in NC. i love this geranium. it will go with everything! especially those awesome yellow saltwaters for a few more weeks (maybe?)
🙂
I love this pattern. I never sew with double gauze but I really would like to, it seems so pretty and comfortable. It’s a very sweet dress for your little girl
oh this is lovely!!! Want one of my own!!!
Reblogged this on beansgirls and commented:
adorable.
Hi, This dress is adorable! Can you tell me where you got the fabric/who makes it?? I’d love to get my hands on some. 🙂
Thanks!
Thanks Amanda, I bought the fabric locally but the details are in the post!
I’m a huge blue and mint fan too! What a great combo for this dress – once again, you’ve created pretty much the perfect dress. My guess is that this will become Lila’s favorite dress to wear with the double gauze comfort factor. Isn’t it great to find a pattern that you love and never fails? Perhaps this will become first-day-of school outfit:)
This dress is beautiful! How do you find the quilting cotton lies under the double gauze?
Thanks! I think it works well, and it gives the bodice a little more shape. The Art Gallery stuff is feels really nice. 🙂
It looks so comfy! And the finishing is just lovely with that reversible fabric. Your hem is perfect. Any tips on perfect hemming? I just can’t seem to get it pretty.
Thanks Brienne! I like to use the basting line trick for small hems – sew a row of basting stitches 5/8ths inch from the raw edge, then fold the raw edge to meet the basting line, then fold at the basting line to make the hem. Other than that, I rely on my trusty ninja star measuring gauge – I could never manage without that thing!
I love this!! So so pretty…love the color combo! And Kindergarten?!! Yay! I’m also with you on the lets sew things that work for both late summer and fall, which is exactly the same reason that I’m contemplating making a dress for my daughter for the first day of school with the same double gauze…although I can’t remember I think it might be grey and not navy…anywho…of course, that’s only *if* I have time 😉 Beautiful dress 🙂
This is so pretty, Gail! That fabric looks sooo soft. Also, Lila is such a beauty!
oh man you’ve gone and made the perfect dress. can Em have it when Lila grows out of it? haha.
Perfectly lovely. When Lila and Em have both grown out of it, send it my way!
Hi! I’m curious, does the pattern come with lining instructions? Thanks!
Yes, the bodice lining is part of the directions!
Hi! You have inspired me to make my little girl a geranium dress in double gauze. It’s my first time using double gauze and I can’t seem to find any information on how to straighten the grain on this type of fabric. Is it not necessary to do that with this type of fabric?? Any insight you can provide me would be appreciated!
I’m sorry, I’m not sure! I tried to straighten the grain when I made a double gauze blanket, and honestly I never figured out how to do it right. It’s so loosely woven that it just kept shifting around. I ended up laying it on my cutting mat and straightening it using the selvage as a perpendicular guide. Hope that helps!
Yes, that’s actually very helpful! I see so many blog posts on sewing with double gauze but no one ever comments on the difficulty with getting the grain even. I thought I was missing something. I will try your method…thanks!
Beautiful dress.Is it just three buttons or does it go down the back of the dress.
Can you send a pic of the back of the dress please?
Thank you
Thank you! It’s just the three buttons – it opens it up enough to get the dress over the head. If you google “Geranium Dress” you can find a photo of the back.