FO: A Pink & Purple Toddler Dress

Despite my extensive collection of vintage sewing patterns, the vintage kids patterns I have are pretty random. I've never really collected these purposefully, so the ones I do have tend to be whatever have come my way from eBay pattern bundles and charity shop finds. So, when I decided to make a classic party dress for Miss Kestrel, I turned to a contemporary pattern instead.

Pattern Used
New Look 6118 - A toddler/child's dress for ages 3-8

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked that it was a classic style of dress, and as the pattern is sized up to age 8, I hope to get many years of party dress making out of it!

Glitter Tattoo Excitement

Fabric & Notions
I used a pink and purple wax print that I bought in London. This was CHEAP - like £6 for the standard 5 metre length. So it's not great quality - the print is a bit off register and the feel of the fabric is a little rough. I'm not even really a fan of the colours, but ended up buying it as I spent so long browsing the wax fabrics that I felt I had to buy something!

However Miss Kestrel suits pinks and purples and I thought it was a fun print for a party dress. I underlined with white cotton lawn for comfort.

Making the seat into a drum

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
The smallest size is 3 and Miss K is only 2, so I cut a 3 and used big side seam allowances for the bodice and skirt. I think it still looks a little big though. I also used big hems on the skirt, so it can probably be made larger without too much difficulty.

Did you use any new techniques?
Yes - the technique that you use to bind the edges of the back skirt opening. I admit this was totally baffling to me at first, both in text and diagram form. After some swearing, I managed to follow it, even though I didn't understand why I was doing it. It worked, although this bit is a bit puckered. However I couldn't bear to rip it out and decided that I could live with it.

Do you ever get to that point in a project? Where you decide you can make peace with something that's not right, in the interests of keeping motivated?

Glow in the dark jewellery was a big hit

Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, as it's a classic style and I think it is good value because of the size range and the additional bolero pattern. I will likely make it again.

Cost
Pattern - Can't remember - £5?
Fabric - £6 for the length though I have loads left
Lining - £6 for he cotton lawn
Buttons & ribbon - Buttons were a gift, ribbon about 90p

Total - £17.90

This is how most of my photos of the dress looked. Toddlers are impossible to photograph!

Conclusion
I'm really pleased with the resulting dress and I would definitely make it again and also try making the bolero. I was really tempted to make a bolero in fake fur, but the one I liked best in Remnant Kings was £27.99 I metre, so I decided that was too pricey. How cute would a mini fake fur bolero be though? Adorable!

K x