Summer Fun Dress Version 2

Remember this really simple, Summer Fun Dress I made for Ella a couple of weeks ago?  And remember that I told you how easy it is to mix this dress up and embellish it in different ways for a varied and unique look?  Well, I wanted to show you how I made another Summer Fun Dress, this time in a size 2T for a my friend's little cutie pie Auburn fan.

First of all, I wanted to test the measurements I had come up with for a size 2T.  I think it worked out well for her little girl (you'll have to take my word for it because I don't have any pictures of her modeling it)!  As I mentioned in the pattern, I recommend you measure your child's chest to get a more precise fit for the elastic top.  In this case, the little 18 month old girl has the same size chest and nearly same size waist as my 3 1/2 year old!  So, I used the little girl's chest measurement minus 1" for a comfortable fit (I used 20").  

Here's my 3 1/2 year old, Ella, modeling it for you.  It's really too short for her as a dress, but she could actually wear it with leggings or jeans for a cute fall outfit.  In fact, she has already put in an order for one exactly like it!

Ella is roughly 8 or 9" taller than the intended wearer, so I am thinking that the length should be just right for the other cutie pie!

Here's what I did differently for the Summer Fun Dress Version 2:

   1.  No ruffle at the top
   2.  Added two rows of shirring roughly 4 to 4 1/2" from the top so it falls just above the natural waist.

Shirring just above waist

   3.  Made ties out of ribbon (make sure to add fray check to the ends) to tie at the shoulder instead of around the neck
   4.  No decorative vertical strip (I added the specified width of fabric for the decorative strip back to the width of fabric required for the main fabric)
   5.  No hem strip (I added the specified width of fabric for the hem strip to the length of fabric required for the main fabric)
   6.  Attached jumbo orange ric rac to the hem of the dress.

Ric Rac Hem

Version 2 was even easier to make than the first!  Another plus about this dress is that it can be worn year round by simply adding a white t-shirt underneath and pairing it with leggings or jeans.  And, when your child grows, the fit is so forgiving that she can still wear the dress as a top!  This piece of clothing could potentially fit the same girl for 2 or 3 years!

Now my friend's little girl is ready to attend all those fall Auburn football games in style!  Go get 'em Tigers!

Britney's Bubble Top

Does anyone else love the cute patterns designed by Create Kids Couture? Thought so!  Well, if you follow them on Facebook or follow their blog, then you know that they've started offering one of their patterns for half off on Fridays.  A couple of weeks ago, I jumped at the chance to purchase one of their most popular patterns--the Britney Bubble Top--during one of these Friday offers.

Britney's Bubble Top is so simple to make that I didn't wait long to whip one up for Miss Ella.  If you only use one fabric (instead of two coordinating fabrics which is an option) then there are literally on three things to cut out for this shirt (bodice and sleeves).  The pattern instructions have great descriptions and photos for each step, making this one of the easiest things I've sewn in quite some time. I chose to go with a size 4T, and I think the end result is a perfect fit!

I used some lightweight pink polka dot Swiss dot cotton fabric that I had on hand from Hancock Fabrics.  Since this top has shirring across the bodice and on the sleeves, I knew the lightweight fabric would work well.

I was also able to find at a local fabric shop the elastic thread brand (Stretch Rite) that Create Kids Couture had recommended in the pattern.  The Stretch Rite elastic thread apparently has a higher rubber content and is even thicker than the Dritz brand.  It made an amazing difference in how much the fabric draws up and can stretch when you shir with it!  I won't be using the other stuff anymore!

If you are familiar with Create Kids Couture's patterns, then you already know that they use rolled edges and shirring in all their designs.  To make this top, it definitely speeds things along if you have a serger to make the rolled edge hem, although it isn't necessary.  You could make a narrow rolled hem with a special foot for your sewing machine or just iron a narrow hem, but I don't think the effect would be the same for the finished top with the latter.

I just happened to have some pink serger thread that matched the fabric perfectly!  I think that just adds to the cuteness!

In roughly an hour, my daughter had this fun, cool to wear summer top already on and running around in it.  She was even agreeable to let me take a few quick photos of her wearing it.  See the Legos?  Apparently she made herself a trophy.  I told her it was for being the cutest girl on the block!

The Britney Bubble Top is perfect for summer weather and playtime, so I know there will be a few more of these whipped up for Ella's summer wardrobe.  In fact, there may already be a second one!

If you like Create Kids Couture, don't forget to check out their blog on Friday to see what the latest half-off pattern will be--although their patterns are a great deal any day of the week!

Have fun sewing!