Country Cowgirl Christmas Dress

This Christmas, I wanted to make Ella something fun, cute, and practical to wear during the holiday season.  What I came up with is the Country Cowgirl Christmas Dress!

A few weeks ago, Amy from Nap Time Crafters asked ME to participate in her 2012 Holiday Pattern Tour for her Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop!  Sew exciting!



I decided to try out her Evelyn pattern which fit the bill for my criteria for fun, cute, and practical.

Evelyn Dress Pattern

I love the simple A-line design and especially the keyhole tie closure in the back (I try to make as few buttonholes as possible)!  Plus, the gathered center strip added some interesting detail which gave me an idea...

I first thought to make the dress in basic holiday colors but add a big bow at the top of the center strip so the dress would resemble a present.  However, when Ella and I went shopping for the fabric, we both thought the cowgirl Christmas fabric was too fun to pass up--but we kept the big bow idea anyway (this feature has been popular lately)!

So today I'm sharing with you my version of the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop Evelyn dress--the sewVery County Cowgirl Christmas Dress!

Now besides adding the giant bow to the front of the dress, I also lengthened the sleeves and added a gathered cuff to match the center strip of the dress.

Since I used my bias tape to hem the sleeve cuffs, I didn't have enough to make the ties for the closure.  I was lazy and decided to just make a loop and cover a button in lieu of making more bias tape!  Turned out pretty nice though, don't you think?

Now, I did say I don't like to make buttonholes, but I did make one exception for this dress.  I wanted to make the bow on the front removable to make washing it easier.  I tried attaching it to the front a couple of different ways, but each time the bow would flop over because it is so heavy. Finally, I caved and put a buttonhole on the back of the bow knot so it could just be buttoned on to this giant green button!

In order to get Ella's cooperation for the photo shoot, I had to bribe her with a cupcake!  It was well worth it!

This dress pattern was so easy to make and should be a staple of every sewers pattern collection!  Not only does the pattern come in sizes 18 months to 8 years (each size is color coded), it also has the option to make this into a swing top!  I love patterns that offer such a wide range of sizes and offer styling options!  Oh, and the instructions were full of pictures and written details that made assembling the dress a breeze.

Here's a reversible appliqued swing top I made using the Evelyn pattern.   I just left off the sleeves and the center strip.  When you cut out the top minus the center strip, just remember to add back the width of the strip to the front and cut out the front of the dress on the fold.  No biggie!

I have no idea where Ella learned to do this pose!  She seems so professional!

And when Valentine's Day rolls around, we'll just turn this top inside out to this...

And since the top is reversible (fully lined), there is no need for bias tape around the neck or keyhole opening.  Instead, I just inserted the tie pieces when I sewed the neckline together.  

See?!  I told you this pattern was a really good one!  It is so versatile!

Want a chance to win some Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop patterns?

Then just enter the contest here for a chance to win all the patterns being reviewed in the Holiday Pattern Tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you want to pick up your own copy of the Evelyn pattern or any other pattern at the Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop before the contest ends, Amy is offering sewVery readers 25% off your entire order when you enter the code "hohoho" at checkout now through December 8th.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the Holiday Tour.  Please visit their sites to see what they made. You won't be disappointed!

The Sewing Loft 

If Only They Would Nap

Nap Time Crafters

Sew Country Chick

Sewing Mama RaeAnna

sewVery 

Melly Sews

Caila Made

Sew a Straight Line

Alida Makes

Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Girl.Inspired.

Thanks for stopping by!  Merry Christmas!