25.9.10

kids clothes week challenge


It's done, as if I needed an excuse to make some childrens' clothing, and it's been great fun. The pattern, which I've been eyeing up for over a year now, is from this book. One of the best, in my opinion, and used for this dress too.


After much deliberation over the fabric choice, I suddenly realised that tana lawn would be a better choice for now over the wool given the fact it's still reasonably mild. Remember the two-day Indian Summer earlier this week, cough cough. Tana is beautiful to sew, the wool will come!

Nevertheless, because tana is lightweight coupled with the turning of the season I lined both bodice and skirt, but not the arms. I gave that a lot of thought too and even rummaged through some existing dresses to check what the manufacturers themselves had done (a very mixed result). If the dress was for me (and boy do I wish it was) I think I would line the sleeves as well. I'm constantly cold but the children never cease to surprise with their ability to survive in a tee shirt whilst I shiver in a jumper; or sleep with a simple sheet and thin quilt whilst I'm in the next room with sheet, two blankets, a couple of quilts and an eiderdown! So there you have it, no sleeve lining.


I used two different linings, the bodice has voile for its breathability and comfort, the skirt a slippery polyester so it won't ride up her tights.

The fabric is capel from Liberty. The colour I can only describe as a reasonably good match for Farrow & Ball's Saxon Green. What do you mean you don't have your colour chart to hand?! Anyway, and more importantly, I'm hoping it may be an antidote to all the pinks and purples currently hanging in the wardrobe. The wide crocheted lace, Victorian, came from the depths of the stash.


Oh and here's the bribe..


By the way, what a difference a day makes. Following my Japanese hiatus I went back to the pattern on Day 2 and everything fell into place. No surprises there then! (But thank you for your suggestions x)

Wishing you a lovely weekend x

15 comments:

  1. Lucky girl to have such a clever mummy!

    Jane

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  2. Hello Kate. It is a gorgeous dress and I am such a huge fan of Liberty's Tana lawn that I can just imagine how it feels. Of course my F & B chart is to hand! Have a lovely weekend x

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  3. What a lovely dress, such a lucky girl.x

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  4. another gorgeous make, I will model one of your dresses for a Muffin too if there are any spare lol.

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  5. Hi Kate
    It is beautifull. I love the colour and the pattern. I think I have to buy that book.
    Jeannet

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  6. Gorgeous dress!

    Cate, x

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  7. How beautiful - and what a perfect little model! xx

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  8. Briliant, can you make one for me too?

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  9. You've made a beautiful dress. I love your attention to all the details too and that you remembered to line it properly so that it would be comfortable for your daughter to wear.

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  10. It's gorgeous and it looks like you have a very happy customer there indeed.

    I'm still progressing my way up to Japanese patterns, but am hoping to get there very soon as they look soooo enticing.

    Nina xxx

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  11. Kate, it's gorgeous. Love the fabric and everything about it, including the instrument pose! The lace embellishment is absolutely perfect.
    PS, and the reference to F&B -almost my entire house is painted in farrow&ball it's my favourite paint line!

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  12. Oh the dress is a dream! You clever mummy! Love your fabric choice too, so pretty!
    Rachel x

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  13. Oh, how beautiful! I love this dress and the fabric you chose, just the perfect dress with that lace. Very well done for sure!

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  14. How sweet - what gorgeous fabric, too. Now that my kids are in school I'm planning a trip to a shop that sells Liberty. After years of admiring it online, I think that I've found a place that sells it a few towns away.

    Yep, I squeezed quite a bit in for KCWC. I'm very good at procrastinating, so it was a little surprising to see how productive I can be when I give myself a deadline or two. Haven't made thing since, mind...

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  15. Totally adorable, a dress which will always be remembered ...

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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