I managed to get some sewing done today and was determined to get something of importance accomplished today… not just any something, but one of the prototype flower girl dresses finished for my niece’s wedding. I am honored to make 2 little flower girl dresses but didn’t want to cut into the “wedding fabric” until I had made one dress first from the pattern and made sure it fit. At first, I was just going to make a bodice out of some scraps I had, but then I thought, why not make a complete dress just to be sure. Then I thought why not give this sweet little girl a choice in what fabric she’d like to have for her new dress. I picked out 3 fabrics from my stash that had some body to them. The “good wedding fabric” is quite heavy so I wanted to make sure this dress was more than just a flimsy cotton.
These were the choices I showed to this little 6 year old. Guess which one she picked?
You were right…the pink and blue flowered print.
I only have a toddler sized mannequin so the dress is a little big for it, but you can sort of get an idea of how it looks. It looks better on the mannequin than it would if I just showed it to you on a hanger. It’s a simple dress with a lined bodice. The waist is slightly raised and then there is a very full, almost circle skirt.
I decided to add a bit of interest at the waist by attaching a band about 1-1/4″ wide. I used the fabric I made Julie’s Valentine dress out of. The pink and white polka dot fabric looked cute with this fabric. Then I sewed on my buttons so they looked like flowers…(Remember that post? (HERE)
I’ll get this off in the mail tomorrow and we’ll see how it fits…then I can feel confident cutting into the wedding fabric. After that, I’ll do the same thing with dress number 2.
It was really weird sewing something this big instead of tiny doll clothes. I felt like I was dealing with so much fabric. The hem took forever to get around. But it brought back lots of memories making little girls dresses as I made them for 10 years and sold them at my local Farmer’s Market.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a darling dress, Jeanne! Yes, I just knew what she would pick! The funny thing is all the women on Playthings get very upset when a lot of the dresses AG puts out are covered with pink! That’s just what little girls like, I guess!
Would you believe that I recently bought a dress off Ebay, a retired AG dress, called the Flower Girl dress for Ivy, and it looked very much like that! It is white satin with a soft pink band on the bottom, and the bodice is a bit different on the top, but it is so sweet in it’s simplicity, and the flared skirt is just like the one you made!
Yes, isn’t it different when sewing for people after sewing teensy doll clothes? It takes forever to get somewhere! I’m sure that little girl is going to be absolutely thrilled to get this dress, and it looks like a fun dress to twirl around in!
Hi Linda,
I’ve seen those posts about the “pink” being too much for many of them… but a six year old…it’s gotta be pink or purple!
I’ll have to look up Ivy’s Flower Girl dress… it sounds pretty!
I hope her dress fits and then I can start on “real” dress… after I get the 2nd prototype dress made. She’s a bit smaller so I need to do another one… I’ll have to ask my sister if they’d like dresses that match or different.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne! It’s beautiful! Hannah will love it and it will make a perfect Easter dress! Thank you soooo much for doing this. I know sewing long distance is a hassle but you have done a wonderful job! Love you!!!!
Oh Cindy,
I’m so glad you like it. I got it mailed off and it should be there in a few days. Let me know if you want the waist lowered, the hem shorter or if the bodice fits okay…
Sewing long distance is fine as long as you have the right measurements…
Love you too, me
The pink flowered dress is darling. Love the style and I’ll bet the soon to be flower girl will love her new Easter dress. The extra touch with the pink band and buttons is a perfect touch.
This sewing from a long distance is difficult. I have done it many times. For that purpose I have devised a spreadsheet with all possible combinations of measurements. I have to get real specific as my two Butterflies are very petite for their age. Both are tiny boned and slender for their age. I have to make quite a few pattern adjustments to get a decent fit. Doing all of that from afar is a real test.
I hope your prototype fits ‘as is’ so you can make that first cut into the “good” piece goods!!
Hi Jeannie,
Yes, an Easter dress from it will be perfect! I hope it fits!
I took about every kind of measurement possible when she was here visiting… so hopefully it will fit like a glove!
Another person emailed me yesterday and wondered if you were the same Jeanne Beth from Dallas that went to a doll
convention UFDC last year? I told her I would ask you…
Thanks Jeannie,
Blessings, Jeanne
You made a life size doll dress, Jeanne! It reminds me so much of the dresses you make for dolls, but in little girl size. It is adorable and oh, so springlike and what a sweet gesture to make the prototype flower girl into an Easter dress. Do both girls wear the same size or do you need to make another prototype?
HI Cindy,
Thank you for your sweet comments. It’s been so long since I sewed anything this big…it was really strange. I can’t imagine making myself something…it’s been a long time for that as well. I think it will be very sweet on this dark headed little cutie.
Both girls are different sizes… one is a size 6 and the other is a teeny tiny little girl that might need a size 2 or 3. I’ll be making her dress as a prototype too.
Thanks Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
No little girls in my life so I guessed the butterfly print. Has pink always been a favorite color of young girls or is this the Barbie influence of many years?
I looked at the hem and it looks perfect. Not easy on a skirt this wide as some parts of the hem are on the bias I’d guess. Lucky girl to receive this gift!
Hi Jan,
I thought she might pick the butterfly print too, but she is a pink girl so the flowers won out.
It’s a very pretty pattern and the skirt on the dress is very pretty and full. The fuller the hem the prettier the way it hangs.
Thanks Jan,
Blessings, Jeanne
Super cute and she will love it because you let her pick the fabric she liked best. Can’t wait to see the real one…every little girl should get the chance to be a Flower Girl.
Quick story…My oldest Grandaughter got to be the FG in my son’s wedding…she was given the whole story of what she’d wear and her duties and how to behave…she wouldn’t be alone walking down the aisle because there would be a “Ring Bearer” for her to walk with. At the rehearsal she rushed over to her Mom and said..Momie..you were wrong..he’s not a “Bear”…he’s a little boy!
Hi Kathie,
I’m glad I thought to let her pick out the fabric instead of just going ahead and picking something myself… I think she’ll like it better too that way.
Cute “Ring Bear” story… you should send that in to Readers Digest…
Blessings, Jeanne
I knew which fabric she would pick! I’m a big girl who also loves pink, and that is such a pretty fabric. The sash really makes it special–I think she will be tickled “pink” when she gets it! I enjoy sewing little girls dresses and have pictures of my girls in dresses I made. Now I’m lucky to have grandchildren I can sew for, although coming up with things for the grandson is more difficult. I’ve been leaning more toward buying tee shirts and appliquéing things onto them, but that probably won’t fly when he gets older.
HI Carolyn,
It was fun making a “big girls” dress for a change this time. It’s been quite a while since I had made any “people” clothing, and I enjoyed it. Your granddaughters are very fortunate to have a grandma who sews for them.
I used to make Rebecca all kinds of things when she was little and for Kristoffer, I’d buy T-shirts and make the shorts. I’d do the same thing as you…applique, applique, applique!
I also bought him high top tennis shoes in every color imaginable!
Thanks so much, Blessings, Jeanne