Pages

Saturday, August 24, 2013

London Dress

Another tiny thing!

At the end of June, my cousin had her second baby girl and named her London.  So once I got on my baby kick, I couldn't resist making her a little dress with London-themed fabric!

I used a pattern from a website a friend introduced me to:  Mamma Can Do It.  There are SO many cute patterns on this site for baby things, it took me a while to decide which one I wanted to use, but I finally settled on the Reversible Baby Jumper.  This multi-size pattern includes sizes all the way from newborn to 36 months. 

This is actually the second pattern I've used from this site, but I can't show you my first make until my friend receives her present.  These downloadable patterns come with very clear photo tutorials.  I like to print out the pattern pieces only, then load the pattern and tutorial into iBooks on the iPad so I can easily take it to the table with me when I sew. 

The seam allowances on these patterns is 3/8", which I think is great - somehow it makes sewing easier to line the fabric up with the edge of my presser foot!  The only thing I changed from the pattern was to notch my curves instead of clipping only, as the pattern recommended:  it does make a difference when turning your work out.



I ordered 5 different London print fabrics from Fabric.com because I wasn't sure how the colors would be and which two fabrics would go together best - and you know I'll use the leftovers for bags and such!  I made the 3 - 6 month size, which requires 1/2 yard of each fabric, but I really don't think I used that much.  I have lots left over.  Here's a better look at the two prints I used:

Next Stop:  London Around Town Yellow (Robert Kaufmann)

London Crowns Light Blue (Andover)

And here's the little dress:



Squee!  I love this little thing, and it was so fun to make!  It's really clever how the reversible dress goes together - I doubt I could have figured it out on my own but the tutorial makes it really simple.

OK - I just realized that I did change one other thing.  The pattern recommends using snaps or velcro on the shoulder tabs, but I wanted the dress to be fully reversible, so I made buttonholes and then sewed two buttons to each tab, front and back, making sure to keep my threads loose:


This project was so quick and easy - I really recommend this pattern.  Also, if you buy a pattern from Mamma Can Do It, you get a coupon code for 30% off your next pattern!  But at $5, I think this was really reasonable to begin with.  I would definitely make this again!

26 comments:

  1. Gail, I just recently discovered your blog and I have to say that you really inspire me and have made me want to sew again (it's been a looong time). I love the baby dress and the fabrics you used are wonderful. Thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Debbie! That's very kind!

      Delete
  2. Little clothes are so fin to make. I love the fabrics you chose. Super cute! London is going to look like a doll in, I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm having fun because although I've knit tons of baby sweaters over the years, these are the first baby things (other than quilts) I've sewn!

      Delete
  3. OMGosh…super cute fabric. Splendid job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Stef! Aren't these fabrics great? I'm glad I have extra!

      Delete
  4. Wow -that's just awesome. You've made such a lovely garment, so well, and the pattern matching is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kristin! It took me a bit to decide between the red crowns and the blue, but I have a feeling London is a blonde because her mom and sister are, so I thought blue would look better :-)

      Delete
  5. so cute! i wish i had been sewing when my kids were babies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I was sort of thinking while I was making this, "Man, I wish I'd had babies!" But the thing is, if you have the babies, you probably don't have time or energy to do the sewing!

      Delete
  6. So cute! I was just looking at this adorable fabric collection - perfect for this little dress :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm tempted to get a few more London prints that I don't have yet - London is my favorite city in the world!

      Delete
  7. This is so adorable and I love that it's reversible. The fabric is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shar! I've always been baffled by reversible sewing, but I think I'm starting to get it now!

      Delete
  8. Super cute! My friend is giving birth in November and I can't decide what to make: this, the little trousers you posted a few days ago or a knitted blanket. They don't know if it's a boy or a girl either so I'm even more indecisive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, check out the Baby Swaddler on the website I linked here - that one is unisex, and I can vouch for that pattern too! (spoiler!)

      Delete
  9. Gorgeous! I'll be buying this pattern for my baby niece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dottie! I think you'll enjoy the pattern!

      Delete
  10. So, so cute and so clever to use a theme fabric! Why didn't I sew or knit more when my children were babies!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ahhhhhh, so cute!!!!! What a sweet little dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it the cutest? For some reason, I really love the shape of this dress!

      Delete
  12. This is so cute. A friend of mine is expecting a girl in January. I can definitely see me making one of these for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many cute baby things, so little time! (and babies!)

      Delete
  13. That is a-dor-a-ble!! Love those two fabrics...what a lovely gift. And 3/8" seam allowance is my all-time favorite seam allowance, seriously. It works the best on my sewing machine and serger, it's easier for easing in set-in sleeves, everything. LOL -- only to my sewing peeps could I go on and on about a favorite seam allowance!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.