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...

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

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  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.

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    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!

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  3. OMGosh…super cute fabric. Splendid job.

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

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

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    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 :-)

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

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    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!

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

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    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!

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

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

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  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!

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    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!)

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

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

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  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!

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

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

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  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.

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

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  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!

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