Birdie Birthday Party Dress

This Birthday Party dress (pattern from Oliver and S) was the first one sewn of the summer season. The fabric was sent from Great-grandma, making this a very special. It's hard to believe I have made this dress in a few years and she is now one size away from outgrowing this pattern altogether. I plan to sew many of these before that happens!  On this one I pleated the top but left the bottom alone for an easy to wear and wash dress for the hot season. 

Sweet Pea picked out a button that Great-grandma sent a few years ago to complete this dress. She loves the heart on the button tab and tells me so every time she wears it. This dress was made a few sizes bigger so it fits longer and can be layered over the winter months. I love being able to have many seasons out of a garment I make for my children. Over all this was a very pleasing pattern pattern to sew. I have a smocked one in the works, as long as I can sit still to smock it will be done! It is planned for our first day back to school dress. 

Here is to the last few weeks of summer break!! 

Happy Sewing!

Sharon 

Sewing Childhood Memories

One of my fondest memoires as a child is chasing fireflies with my sister in the warm summer evening just as the sun sets. When Sarah Jane Studios came out with the Wee Wander fabrics I had to have the firefly prints for my two little ones, it just takes me back to those carefree days.  

First up is Sweet pea in a Birthday Party dress, a.k.a. an Oliver + S pattern. It's the first one I have sewn her using this pattern. I did make a size 5 thinking the 4 would be too small. I now think it would have fit just fine but with the 5 I know it will fit all summer long and just maybe next summer too.   

I think she loves this fabric as much as I do too. She wouldn't sit still so I couldn't any pictures of her. (This also might be due to I have been sewing for her brother and myself lately so she was super excited to have a new dress) I love the A line shape of this dress and the pleats are so lovely! The pattern makes it super easy to make the pleats too, it just took some time. I stitched the insides of the pleats to help hold the shape of them, with five kids I don't do a whole bunch of ironing other than when I sew. ; )

I made the front button placket on this one, I fussy cut it so that a jar was right at the end and there is a MOP star button on the "inside" of the jar. I used the oval MOP buttons on the back of her dress. They just seemed like fireflies themselves sparkling in night air.  

I really don't know why it has taken me so long to sew this pattern but I really enjoyed every minute. I love every little detail of it!

Prince C birthday outfit is going to be made out of the same fabric...as soon as I get to it! Right now I ma working on an outfit for Mr. G I cut out for his birthday. I do have the pants finished and I did start on his Sketchbook shirt so maybe I'll get to it by the end of week, maybe.

Sharon