easter outfits
Last year I made my first Easter dress for Bee. It was the Tea Party dress from Oliver + S, which turned out rather sweet, but I felt badly that I didn't make anything for my son C. This year I decided to try the Birthday Party dress, which Liesl assured me I could handle despite it's perfect pleats and five (!) buttonholes.
I made the dress out of linen, which proved a little shifty, but I love it nonetheless. Bee is a very active three year old, so there really is no hope of keeping it wrinkle free for long, but lucky for me, it looks just as cute rumpled. And Liesl was right, although the construction of this dress is a more complicated than anything I've made before, if you just follow the directions carefully, it will all work out in the end.
But what to make for C? The plan came together when I saw Molly's tie pattern on the Purl Bee. Perfect for a brother-sister duo. Matching, but subtle. Sweet, but not too sweet.
I didn't realize the tie is mostly hand-sewn, and it was fun to make. You can easily finish a tie in one sitting, and I get a weird sense of satisfaction sitting down on the couch with my needle and thread, stitching each little stitch one at a time.
I don't know how many more years I can coordinate their outfits. C is going to start having opinions about his clothes at some point. But I'm sure going to try and keep this up for at least a couple more years.. The pictures alone are priceless.
04.13.2009
Reader Comments (46)
amazing, as usual. i love that dress, pleats + wrinkles + all.
Your handiwork is lovely! I'm inspired to try making that dress for my granddaughter, even tough it does have buttons holes, (after 30 years of sewing, they still intimidate me!)
well done. i made ties for the first time for my boys this year too (even husband). it was surprisingly easy.
i love that dress pattern and it looks great in linen.
Lovely. You would never know you were new to this! Thank you for sharing. There's a hidden talent...
http://brinandnohl.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous work! I love the colors. And the linen! I'm bookmarking this pattern, and hoping I have a baby girl one day!
What a fantastic idea! So subtle, I did a vest for my son this year, but next year I am definitely stealing this idea!
Thanks for the inspiration.
That is a beautiful dress. Well done!
oh so darling.
what beautiful work!
this makes me excited to be a mom someday.
hopefully i will get over my sewing phobia by then.
ps. just recently found your blog & i adore it!
I've looked at that dress pattern a couple of times, and now I must get it! It turned out so nice, I'm sure you got lots of compliments! AndI'm sure you heard the "how did you find a tie to match?" a few times too.
yes, priceless and so thoughtful! thanks for sharing!
beautiful! that dress is just adorable. and the tie is a great idea. I need to make some things for my son too - I feel badly that I'm always working on dresses and skirts for my daughter!
How darling. I love the dress and the matching tie. I think I might need to attempt this next year for my daughter and new little son (3 months old). You did a great job on the dress...it is soooo cute.
Have I told you how much I adore their outfits yet? I'm so glad you used the linen. It looks amazing on her tanned baby skin. Does C mind wearing the tie? He looks snazzy!
what a great idea! to match the tie to the dress. Very cute!
They look awsome together! Good luck keeping up the tradition!
I LOVE the dress and the matching tie was such a good idea. I love how they match but aren't blaring matchy-matchy.
Just captivating! I love the natural color of the fabrics...
So precious! I am so envious of your sewing skills.
Darling. They are perfectly (and not overly so) coordinated. :) I made my daughter's dress out of linen this year, too -- and it does look adorable all rumpled up and loved. Happy Spring.
Lovely dress!! I love the subtlty in the matchiness. You definately can't go wrong with linen!