As soon as I saw Kaufman’s Lush Velveteens, I knew I wanted to sew this dress for Lila. The Geranium Dress pattern was an easy choice – it’s fast and simple, it always fits well (this is a 6 with some added length), and most importantly, it has Lila’s long-standing seal of approval.
Velveteen is great because it feels a little bit fancy while still being 100% cotton, which is really what I prefer to use for kids’ clothes. And I couldn’t resist this color. I decided to go with blue and gold and get it finished in time for Hanukkah so she could wear it all month long, which she did.
The bodice is lined with Morn’s Rays in Gold by Eloise Renouf for Cloud 9 Fabrics – I wanted something with a little metallic gold in it (of which there are many great options these days) to go with the sparkly gold trim, which I found locally at Fabric Depot.
I added the trim after the dress was finished and tucked it under at the back edges.
Lately I can only get motivated to sew when I have a very clear vision of what I want to make and I’m fully invested in the end result. It doesn’t happen as often as I want it to. I had every intention of making Christmas pajamas this year, but I ended up buying them. It wasn’t that I ran out of time. I spent hours looking at patterns and fabric, but I couldn’t pull the trigger – nothing was really doing it for me. I don’t want to make just for the sake of making, you know? I want to sew something I’m really excited about, something I can’t wait to see come together. I definitely sewed less this year and that trend will probably continue, but I’m hoping what I do sew will be well thought out and satisfying.
I hope everyone’s holidays were wonderful. Happy 2016 from these guys!
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I love seeing Lila’s dimples! You’ve got great kids; I wish I got to see them more often.
Love this velveteen dress. So special for the holidays and she looks beautiful wearing it. Also love the little touches of ‘bling.’ I did the Christmas pajamas thing this year for my grand and her new doll she asked Santa for (and received, of course). Then, my husband asked if I was making matching pj’s for our daughter too. Wish I had thought of that earlier. Had to order fabric online (and wait for it to come in) and just finished in the nick of time on 23rd. All turned out beautifully, so it was all worth it! These were in addition to matching Christmas outfits for the grands. I agree with you, sometimes my sewing needs a specific purpose in order to keep me on task but the reward and fulfillment of seeing a person you love wearing the end result is well, priceless.
The fabric choices on this dress are perfect! I love all the gold touches and the super-soft velveteen! That is a gorgeous holiday dress!
Oh my goodness Gail, you hit this one out of the park. The fabric is so rich and scrumptious, and the color of the velveteen just glows with that gold touch. This is understated and just beautiful. And it will work as a party dress all year. Stunning.
What a beautiful dress! The combination of the velveteen (what a colour!) and the little touches of gold is perfect. I love the view from the back with the gold trim and round buttons.
Love the shade of blue on this and the velveteen texture. And beautiful photography, as always.
I know what you mean about the xmas jammies – I didn’t fall in love with any flannels this year…
Your dress is just beautiful! I love the gold touches.
Love this…I always look forward to seeing your projects!
I totally get what you mean about only wanting to sew certain projects.
For so long I was in a mindset of “churn stuff out, more more more.” Now I’m more picky with what I do with my sewing time, I want to sew a wider variety of patterns (not my 15th roller skate dress) and with fabric I’m mad about (not just anything from my stash will do).
Maggie | http://www.loveauntmaggie.com
you put into words my exact feelings of sewing lately as well! Its hard to love doing something but not for love of doing it without something specific in mind , haha!
Its a great choice of fabric for the geranium as well!
That’s a beautiful dress Gail. And I understand your feelings totally. I am always trying to make more “sense” of my sewing lately.
Ooooo It’s so pretty! Love the velveteen, it looks so classic and rich, eh? E’s Christmas dress was blue and gold too! Dang, I keep forgetting to get photos of that thing on her. Blogging is so hard these days. 😉
I hope you guys had a happy holiday season!!
I love this dress. And the fabric- perfect! I hear you about the sewing motivation. I finally settled on some fabric for Christmas pajamas but then I couldn’t get motivated to sew them up when last year’s still fit. Happy 2016 to you!