My girly-girl niece turns 10 this coming week. I've been trying to think of something I could make her, but handmade gifts aren't always the most well received with 10 year olds so I asked her mom what she would like. Her mom, my sister-in-law, mulled it over and told me that the thing my niece would like the most would be a dress. (or dresses).
I said, all excited-the way I get... you probably do this too when you can sense an opportunity to make something for someone who would actually like something you made, "maybe I could make her a sundress or two?"
My sister-in-law then said the words that brought joy to my heart: "Oh that would be great! And maybe a matching bag!"
Sigh.
So fellow crafters, aunties, moms... I need suggestions for a simple (or not) sundress pattern for a 10 year old girlie girl (that I can make without having a fitting with the recipient...). For a fall-back, if I can't find anything else, I was thinking of a simple sundress with the elastic gathers for the bodice, but I would be very open to any suggestions.
I have some girlie-girl fabrics that I had purchased last spring (or the one before, I can't remember) with the intention of making dresses for my nieces. I went a tad overboard with the purchasing and I have a lot leftover. I have a few of my mom's sewing patterns here for dresses she made me and my sister when we were small. I'll have a look through those too. I wish I had all of them here...
I'm quite excited! I hope this works out... :D
There is a dress like that in Heather Ross's new book, Weekend Sewing. I don't have the book yet, though, so I can't say whether the sizing is right for a 10-year-old.
ReplyDeleteI think you should use one of your mom's patterns. When they are older (and can appreciate it) you can explain where the pattern came from. It will make it even more special! You sister will appreciate the thought, too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Be sure to share pictures when you're done.
Cool! (Though I agree, a challenge.) What about something that's basically a wide tube, with drawstrings that tie on each shoulder? In a girly fabric, with ribbons for the ties, it should be very pretty, and will definitely fit.
ReplyDeleteI was in Walmart the other day and they have really nice fabric with the elastic top like you had mentioned. All you need to do is sew a back seam and hem it...maybe add some straps and viola you're done. Lots of luck!
ReplyDeleteOo - I'm excited for you!
ReplyDelete(except now I'll be jealous that you can make sundresses and wish I had sundresses of my own).
I remember when I was young my grandmother made me a sundress that fit for years.. she made it a little too large on purpose for this reason. I am sure you know an approximate size of your niece? The Dress that I remember was a simple U-neck with a zipper down the back, and then it had a tie sewn to it on a high waist so that it could be tightened to the appropriate size. For the first couple years there were wrinkles all the way around the dress, but it looked very appropriate and added some "cuteness".
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