Hubby said this is the best thing I've ever made...in fact, he said it looks like something you'd buy at Dillard's (which is the most expensive place he knows of, so that was a major compliment)! I bought this stunning cherry blossom fabric on eBay a few years ago and loved it so much that I couldn't use it for anything. I finally got over that and this was the perfect project for it.
I used the "Pink Daisy" overalls pattern from Ottobre (3/2009 #8) for the dress, but modified the lower half to be a skirt, rather than pants. The main fabric is a nice heavy green twill I had left over from a baby carrier I made my cousin. It's fully lined with the cherry blossom quilting cotton...I had originally planned to line only the top half, but I'm glad I lined the whole thing. It makes for a nice, warm jumper for fall/winter/spring! I wasn't sure what to do for buttons, so I snagged some navy blue ones from my stash, covered them in fabric, et voila! matching buttons! (By the way, they are non-functioning...didn't think it was necessary with the long zipper and wide armholes). I prefer taking pictures in daylight, but hubby forbade me from putting it on her till he came home so he could see too. The close-up of the buttoned shoulder is most true to life.
I added 2 whole inches to the sleeve length of the Garden blouse (Ottobre 1/2008, #6) and it's still a tad on the short side. I always have to roll up Miss M's sleeves anyway so she doesn't get them in things; now I won't have to. I also changed the collar to a mandarin collar; I thought it fitting for this print. I was intimidated by the pin tucks, but they turned out to be so easy that I just had to laugh at myself for ever sweating it! (By the way, you can click on the pictures to view them bigger. This blouse shows off the cherry blossom print so nicely!)
I wasn't sure if I'd like the back pockets on a dress as well as if it were actual overalls. I had some trouble with the binding on the pockets. You're instructed to gather the tops of the pockets (both front and back) to the length of the binding, but the binding is the same length as the ungathered width of the pockets! Once I got the binding on the pockets (I shortened them by about an inch each), they were still longer than the pocket placement marks, so I ran a piece of 1/8" elastic through the binding and pulled in the fullness that way. It turned out very nice, but next time I'll see if I can shorten the binding enough to make the elastic unnecessary. Did anyone else who has made this run into the same problem? Or did I do something strange when cutting out?
My SWAP will be complete after just two more garments! BUT...I am definitely going to add some more leggings and some pinafore dresses for layering. I'll see what I can use from my stash. I am also thinking about another jacket for playing outside on chilly days.
I used the "Pink Daisy" overalls pattern from Ottobre (3/2009 #8) for the dress, but modified the lower half to be a skirt, rather than pants. The main fabric is a nice heavy green twill I had left over from a baby carrier I made my cousin. It's fully lined with the cherry blossom quilting cotton...I had originally planned to line only the top half, but I'm glad I lined the whole thing. It makes for a nice, warm jumper for fall/winter/spring! I wasn't sure what to do for buttons, so I snagged some navy blue ones from my stash, covered them in fabric, et voila! matching buttons! (By the way, they are non-functioning...didn't think it was necessary with the long zipper and wide armholes). I prefer taking pictures in daylight, but hubby forbade me from putting it on her till he came home so he could see too. The close-up of the buttoned shoulder is most true to life.
I added 2 whole inches to the sleeve length of the Garden blouse (Ottobre 1/2008, #6) and it's still a tad on the short side. I always have to roll up Miss M's sleeves anyway so she doesn't get them in things; now I won't have to. I also changed the collar to a mandarin collar; I thought it fitting for this print. I was intimidated by the pin tucks, but they turned out to be so easy that I just had to laugh at myself for ever sweating it! (By the way, you can click on the pictures to view them bigger. This blouse shows off the cherry blossom print so nicely!)I wasn't sure if I'd like the back pockets on a dress as well as if it were actual overalls. I had some trouble with the binding on the pockets. You're instructed to gather the tops of the pockets (both front and back) to the length of the binding, but the binding is the same length as the ungathered width of the pockets! Once I got the binding on the pockets (I shortened them by about an inch each), they were still longer than the pocket placement marks, so I ran a piece of 1/8" elastic through the binding and pulled in the fullness that way. It turned out very nice, but next time I'll see if I can shorten the binding enough to make the elastic unnecessary. Did anyone else who has made this run into the same problem? Or did I do something strange when cutting out?
My SWAP will be complete after just two more garments! BUT...I am definitely going to add some more leggings and some pinafore dresses for layering. I'll see what I can use from my stash. I am also thinking about another jacket for playing outside on chilly days.
This is really awesome. The fabrics really make the outfit. The pockets are cute on both front and back. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWow, this outfit is so adorable. Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteReally great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful outfit! I love the cherry blossom contrast on the jumper & the blouse really shows off the gorgeous fabric! Great job, I think I"ll have to try this pattern next!
ReplyDeleteThat blouse is adorable in the cherry blossom print.
ReplyDeleteI just love these. I really wouldn't have thought of using the cherry blossom fabric in a child's blouse, but now I've seen it, I couldn't imagine it in anything else. Great job.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on this set. Beautiful cherry blossom fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe jumper and blouse are beautiful!!! Mind if I steal the idea of changing the overalls into a jumper???
ReplyDeleteBy all means, steal away! I'll post up a tutorial on how I did it, if you'd like. It's really quite simple. Getting it fully lined on the other hand...I'll leave you to work that out on your own since my way was a bit haphazard. :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. I've never even heard of Dillard's but I totally agree with your husband. This set is amazing. I love the cherry blossom print, and the outfit looks adorable on your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I read that your DH had banned you from putting it on her until he got home. I would love that my DH would care about something that much. Wonderful post.
That is just lovely - the outfit looks fantastic and what beautiful photos :)
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Definitely looks like something from a high end store or boutique.
ReplyDelete[...] entered some of the clothes I made over the past year (here, here and here) and received ribbons on two of them. I was delighted to see that there was a lot more [...]
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