The Busy Lizzy Dress

In the last couple of weeks, I've made Ella two new dresses that have become my absolute favorites (and hers, too, I might add)!  The first is the Busy Lizzy Dress and Top Pattern by Sew Like My Mom.  The second dress I'll show you in a couple of days!

Melissa, the designer of the pattern, sent it to me several weeks ago to try out.  It was a quick sew with such amazing results that I wish I hadn't put it off as long as I did!

For Ella's long sleeve version of the Busy Lizzy Dress, I wanted to make it using some black chambray fabric I had purchased a while ago.  The bad thing is, I only had a yard of it which was not enough to cut out the entire dress.  I tried folding the fabric this way and that and placing the pattern pieces on it, but no way could I make it work.

I then found this brightly colored fat quarter I purchased in Utah last September when I attended the Sewing Summit.  I thought it paired perfectly with the black chambray, and since the fat quarter was wide enough to accommodate the bottom width of the back of the dress, I pieced it with the chambray to make up the entire back.

I absolutely love what resulted!

Another slight modification that I made was to omit the bias trim at the hem.  I really liked the drape of the chambray and the clean, modest look of the dress from the front without the added white at the hem.  Plus, it was easier to just turn up the fabric and hem it!

In addition to the bias trim detail, the dress features a single inverted pleat in the center front and gathered sleeves at both the shoulders and the cuff.  Plus it has inseam pockets which Ella was very pleased to discover.

The back has a simple v-notch button closure that makes sewing this dress together a cinch!  Ella loves the sparkly black button we used on the back, and I just extended out my bias tape to form a loop for the closure.

Ella couldn't wait to wear the dress when I finished it!  That's always a good sign, and even better that it is a perfect fit!  I made her the size 6 dress based her on chest and height measurements compared to the sizing chart in the pattern.  The sleeves were even the perfect length with no modifications!  Wish I could say the same for the tights she is wearing!

Ella has already worn the dress two or three times in the last week and a half, so I am already planning to make her another one.  I liked the chambray so much that I picked up some in blue at Joann's last week. Now I just need to decide if I want to color block it with an interesting print of make it all solid.  Decisions, decisions!

I've now tried both the Darling Daisy Dress Pattern and the Busy Lizzy Dress and Top Pattern by Sew Like My Mom, and I highly recommend them both!  We'll be adding a few more of both to Ella's wardrobe for the spring and summer for sure!

Thanks for stopping by today, and have fun sewing!