Sailor Inspired Vintage Natalie Dresses for A Family Portrait

Oh I love these girls!

Last week I wrote about the dress I made for India

to wear at a family reunion celebrating my parents'

50th anniversary.

Today I will be writing about the dresses 

I made for Ahnalin and my niece.

Once (and twice) again,

I am using my beloved "Vintage Natalie" patterns

that my friend Janet Gilbert

designed for Sew Beautiful Magazine. 

I used the pattern containing sizes 2-6

for my niece and the pattern

containing sizes 8-14 for Ahnalin.

You can purchase the patterns by clicking

on the bolded links above.

If you don't have them already, 

I suggest buying them right away.

 Sew Beautiful is no longer being published

and I have no idea what the plans are for the availability

of these amazingly beautiful patterns.

I love this pattern.

I am pretty sure it is my favorite pattern.

You see, I sewed it up for a birthday dress for Ahnalin

one year.

I used it to create a back to school dress for Ahnalin here.

And I used it to create the lovely dress with smocking

at the waist for Sew Beautiful Magazine.

last year.

I know I have also sewn it a few more times for

custom orders,

but somehow I put them in the mail before I took photos.

Not smart, I know! 

But you can see how much I love this pattern!

For these dresses,

I cut the traditional mid-calf length.

I cut a size 8 for Ahnalin and a size 6 for Cherish.

My mother had requested a sailor style

navy dress with white and lemon yellow trim.

After being unsuccessful in finding 

ribbon trim with a nautical theme in those colors,

I chose my beloved white rick rack

and lemon yellow ribbon as accents.

Ahnalin chose the yellow flower buttons. 

My darling niece.

 

I used the tab belt with ribbon for the back.

I used the same navy blue cotton sateen,

with 97% and 3% spandex for these dresses.

My mom ordered the hats online.

This pattern is so well written and the fit is so perfect!

The instructions are very well written and

the construction goes together beautifully.

It is a very versatile pattern!

I think next time, 

and there will definitely be a next time,

I will use a border print!

 

Our three lovie girls and my dad photobombing with his

yellow shorts!

Grandpa John John and Grandma Barbara with their grandgirls.

Me and my girls.

I have a few customs to finish today

and I hope I remember to take some photos

before I pop them into the mail!

Happy Sewing!

Sivje