Today I have a sneak peek for you. I was trying to get the tutorial done for today, but well, life happened. And the dress is done. But the tutorial is not. But you will see it Friday….I can promise that.
We have received quite a few emails as of late about styles for older girls and tweens….and how hard it is to find cute and appropriate clothing. And well, I am starting to feel your pain. I only have a 6 1/2 year old, but some days I feel like she is going on 13. Yes, she will still wear very girly things, but then there are the days….when NOTHING is just right. (Oh, I am in for it, aren’t I?).
So, this tunic style dress (which can also be made into a shirt with leggings) came about from thinking about your emails, and my own pre-tween experiences. Something not too girly, but not too old….and yet still something that is sweet and cute. The perfect playdress.
I will leave you with a list if you want to get your materials before Friday….(don’t you need another excuse to go to the fabric store?)
* A bodice pattern (front, back, sleeve) that fits well. You can use a commercial pattern bodice (just make sure the measurements work) or draft your own from tracing a shirt or dress. Here is one that I showed how to do with a tee shirt (just remember that it is a guide.)
* 1 yard of fabric (I used a soft cotton voile.)
* 1 package of matching bias tape.
* 1 button and some 1/8 inch scrap of elastic for the back closure.
*Matching thread for the bias tape, and matching thread for the dress color.
(I eventually took the buttons off this one—they were pinned on in this picture—they were a bit too much for the “playdress” look that I wanted.) But if you want matching buttons for the front, you will need 3 all together.
P.S. My needle was dull and most likely bent when sewing the bias tape…..look at how crazy the stitching came out….it has since been unpicked and resewn……much better;) Sorry I didn’t have a better picture. So, maybe put a new pack of needles on your list too!
Liz will be here tomorrow (you knew that we trade off days during the week?) and then I will be back Friday with the tutorial….so get your fabric and notions…and you can have a new tunic dress by the end of the weekend! See you then.
Oh I can’t wait…and no visit to the fabric store for me. just a great excuse to DIG in that stash!!!!
I’m excited to see it! Looks darling so far.
I’m dreading the day when Evie decides that she doesn’t like girly dresses anymore. She’s three and a half, and already has definite ideas of what she wants to wear. And since Auntie Laura makes quite a few of her dresses, often she points something out, immediately followed by “Auntie Laura will you make it for me?”
Oh, so is that why my bias tape never comes out right? Thank you so much for posting your “mistake” and mentioning the problem, because now maybe I will try a project with bias tape again . . . with a new needle.
Ugh. wait until you have to make the leap to the 8-14 sized clothes. apparently every tween wants to dress like Hannah Montana or something? finding cute, feminine, modest clothes that are a TOUCH more “grow up” is virtually impossible. can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with!
Looks lovely…will drop by again on Friday for the tutorial…hope I can follow through…