Almost Summer Vacation Dress

This is the last week of school for Ahnalin.

And I thought she needed a new dress.

I had fallen in love with this dress

and posted it to my Pinterest.

But because I have been sewing out

of my stash, 

I didn't want to purchase the exact same fabrics.

I believe the fabrics used in the original dress were designed

by Joel Dewberry and they are beautiful!

These fabrics were a gift from my friend Janet Gilbert.

She blogs at Smocking By Janet

and writes for Sew Beautiful Magazine.

I loved them and Ahnalin

put "dibs" on them as soon as the 

box arrived!

I used Simplicity 1924, 

which is actually really well written.

Ahnalin is very long and thin,

so I cut a size 5 in width and an 8 in length.

I also added about 3 inches in length to the bodice,

because she wanted the skirt to start at her waist.

Why, yes!
I did add rick rack!

I actually lined the flutter sleeves because I thought

it looked cuter.

I made the sash separately but 

stitched it to the dress at the side seams

so it would stay put.

The original dress had a fabric cockade,

but I wanted to play with ribbon instead.

So I sewed three rows of ribbon together,

and attached a decorative button.

The whole thing is sewn to a jewelry pin

on the back.

Ahnalin doesn't like the cockade, 

so it is currently sitting on the desk. 

Heehee!

 But she loves the dress!

Hm....my little girl seems to be more grown

up every day, don't you think?

And I am grateful she still loves to 

wear dresses.

Though I think I had better make her some 

bloomers to wear underneath,

because she still hangs upside down from the monkey bars!

We decided to do a regular button up back,

instead of a keyhole opening like the original dress had.

So I got to use these darling 

vintage gingham covered buttons that my mom

had cut off something a long time ago.

Ahnalin always insists that I take a photo of her

doing her "Classic Ahnalin" pose,

so here ya go!

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Thank you all for the wonderful, kind emails!

We have been crazy busy at our house 

and lots of good things have been happening!

I worked on a really exciting big project 

with Janet Gilbert for Sew Beautiful Magazine! 

It was really fun and I can't wait to see it 

in the magazine.

I will post more when that issue is available!

And I had some very much anticipated and 

prayed for oral surgery!

I was thrilled and so grateful!

My girls and Hot Rockin' Hubby have been wonderful

and busy too! 

I will try to be better about posting. 

I have another fun outfit to show you soon!

Happy Sewing my friends!