Happy New Year [and yet another Christmas dress]

There’s no use in pretending.

I’m totally hopeless when it comes to sewing dresses for my girl. I can always justify the need for one more (and another …).

But this one might be a be too difficult to justify as it was actually made on December 28th – a couple of days after Christmas and with no obvious reason for it.

But, I saw the fabric on my sash and I really needed to use it this year (next year, there would probably not be enough for a dress as I was already short of yardage for this pattern). I told you I was good at justifying yet another new dress 🙂

I used the Apple Picking dress pattern from Oliver+S in size 6 for the bodice and a size 7 for the skirt.

I have used this fabric before for a Playtime dress (here) and it was one of my favorites (too short and tight already).

It’s a soft plaid that wears and washes pretty well, but consider yourself warned: it frays a lot, so you might need some motivation for sewing with it (I nearly gave up a couple of times). Nonetheless, the final result is totally worth it 🙂

There are a few mods to the original pattern: I skipped the sleeve biding (short of yardage) and added a tiny lace trim to the front placket for extra interest.

This pattern is not as complicated as it might look (front bow, placket and double tier skirt) but ones needs to take some time to get everything right – obviously with Oliver+S instructions are flawless and pretty easy to follow (it’s rated with 2 scissors out of 4, being 4 the most advanced level).

Obviously, the tartan fabric looks suitable for Christmas season but I’m determined to make it work until Spring arrives.

Oddly, I’m not a huge fan of ruffled skirts (or dresses), but, as usual, Oliver+S fit is flawless and it looks rather sweet on her. Again my only regret, because I run out of yardage, was not been able to add a few inches to the skirt. The bodice has some room to grow, but the skirt is already on the short side (I like it, but I would prefer a few inches just to be on the safer side).

My girl was not entirely convinced during our indoor photo session (too busy playing with Christmas gifts), but she did wore it yesterday for picking me up from the office and agree on a short session in a nearby park (not entirely successful, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the fit on her).

I wish I could tell you that this closes 2014 sewing projects, but there are still a couple (or more) waiting to be shown here (and most of them are dresses).

I might as well confess I have a serious issue of self-control when it comes to sewing dresses, but I’m sure I’m not alone (and it’s not as bad, right?).

Happy New Year (and the Warm Sewing Wishes for 2015),

Ana Sofia