Abby Summer Dress - Size 1 For Leah

I've had my first order for an Abby Summer Dress - Yay! - and here it is...

I decided to shorten the straps with this dress. I hope I didn't make them too short. The dress is fully lined with a white cotton fabric. The outer fabric is from Ikea and it's such a funky print - feminine, but not too babyish. The black band really compliments the dress.

Abby Summer Dress - Size 1

I've been working on the Abby Summer Dress pattern in order to enlarge it to a size 1. I'm not very good at enlarging patterns, so in the end, I had to re-create the bodice pattern. I used a combination of two patterns. I took the bodice pattern from one dress and the straps from another, and combined the two.

Here's my first attempt...

After trying it on a couple of willing (or not so willing!) babies, I found that the arm holes were too long and the neck line at the front was too high.

I think it turned out pretty well, though. I'm not sure about the straps, whether they're too long or not. The good thing about them being on the long side is that the dress can be worn for longer as the child grows, and then it can be worn as more of a top (unless the baby grows outwardly!). Having said that, I still think they may be too long.

Do you like my little birdie? This was a practice one. I wanted to try out the pattern, so I thought I'd may as well put it on my practice dress. I think it's really cute.

Here's my second attempt...

I lengthened the arm holes and I think they look much better. I shortened the neck line and curved it slightly. I also decided to use the same pattern for the front and the back. I prefer this look. I kept the straps as they were as I'm still undecided! I discovered that this dress is a small size 1. So, for the more robust little girls, I'm going to have to make a larger size, probably a size 18 mths - 2.

Do you like the fabric? I found it at Lifeline. I think it's vintage, so this is the only dress available in this fabric.

How the Busy Bee Went...Baby Dresses!

So, in my last post I menioned that I had a baby-free day, so I spent the day sewing. Here's what I ended up making...Very sweet baby summer dresses.

The Abby Summer Dress...




Here's one with an applique design on it. I'm going to give this one to my friend.


The bodice and the skirt are lined. These ones are 0 - 3 months, which is the only size I've got in baby sizes. I'll need to adjust the pattern to make bigger sizes, but I'm a bit hesitant to do it as I'm no good at that fiddly stuff.

This is the latest one I've made.

I was able to find the pattern in a size 3 (approx). So, I can make them in 0-3 months and size 3. All I need to do now is work out how to make them in the in between sizes!

The skirt uses a LOT of fabric, so I didn't line this one, which I don't think it needs anyway. This one also has an applique cup cake design. Not sure if I like it though.

So, all in all, I've been pretty successful. I've been sewing like a mad woman. It's very addictive.