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The Perfect Summer Sundress

This post is by Emily from Illinois.


I was inspired to make the SewBaby Reversible Sundress for my daughter after finding the quirky Ivy League Bees print by Jay McCarroll (of Project Runway fame) for Free Spirit. For the contrasting side we found some gorgeous Kaffe Fassett fabric in a bright garden print. This is a medium weight woven, not quite a home dec weave, but pretty sturdy. I was a little nervous that it would make the dress too heavy, but I think it gives the finished product some nice body and helps with skirt swing out.
 
 
Technique wise, I used a walking foot for sewing the front and back together. This made it easier for me to keep the pieces lined up perfectly, but a walking foot definitely is not required for this project. Before cutting the fabric I traced the 18 month size of pattern using Swedish tracing paper, so I can reuse the pattern for making gifts or larger sizes. I used 2 buttons back to back on both sides of the dress so it is truly reversible. Just be sure not to sew the buttons too tightly together. Leave some slack in the thread as if you were sewing on a coat button.
My daughter is 15 months old and I found the 18 month size to be generously sized. She'll be able to wear this dress well into the fall. It will look cute with a little long sleeve tee when the weather cools down. The pattern couldn't have been easier to follow and it sewed up in no time at all. The SewBaby Reversible Sundress is a perfect project for new sewists or for anyone who just wants an easy super cute dress!

-Emily

Comments

  1. MaryJune 23, 2010 at 7:50 PM

    Ann, Look what your customers can do!! That is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  2. EmmaJJune 24, 2010 at 12:52 PM

    I love this pattern! I bought 4 of them so I can have this dress grow with my daughter. She is now almost 3 and still wears the 18 month, but as a top with jeans underneath. LOVE THIS PATTERN- So easy.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JennyJune 24, 2010 at 4:24 PM

    So cute! This pattern is great. My daughter wore one of hers today that I made for her last year. It still fits, just a bit shorter. It's especially cute paired with the little sunhat pattern, and the sunhat takes less than an hour to sew up!
    ~Jenny~

    ReplyDelete
  4. MirandaJune 25, 2010 at 5:23 AM

    I made this dress today for a birthday gift--so easy! I like that it can be layered for cooler weather.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJuly 28, 2010 at 10:06 AM

    My girls wore this style cross back dress with matching bloomers as toddlers. Thank you for the pictures of these sweet little girls. makes me very nostalgic.

    ReplyDelete

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