This year, I made FOUR dresses for Christmas, and I finally got all of them clean at once and on my daughter's bodies for a post-church photoshoot. Outside lighting is always best, but it was TOO cold, so we did it in Liv and Mimi's room, and it turned out pretty darn good, considering.
I decided this year to make each of the girls a different dress, but using only two fabrics for all of them. I chose a lovely black cotton velveteen and a silver polyester dupioni. (Dupioni is that fabric that's got a dull sheen and some fun slubby--that is a word--texture.) Machine washable was actually among the most important of the characteristics I was looking for, and these dresses all wash up beautifully.
Maddies dress was my own design. I love the tuxedo ruffle and the three black buttons.
I used Oliver + S's Sunday Brunch pattern for Olivia's ensemble. I've used three of the Oliver +S patterns now, and I heartily recommend them. Liesl Gibson, the designer, gives amazing instructions, and the patterns have incredible tailored details. They are very satisfying to complete.
Mimi's dress was made from McCall 5795. It's an easy, simple, customizable dress. The lovely thing about the dupioni is that the reverse side of the fabric is shiny, shiny satin. I used that side for the linings of all these dresses. Mimi, with her obsession toward all things silky, loves this detail.
Bella's bubble dress, from another one of the Oliver + S patterns, was the fastest of the dresses to sew. Again, I love the details and the sewing lesson integrated into the pattern. (My next pattern purchase: The School Photo Dress. Google "School Photo Dress Blog", and you'll see some of the cutest dresses ever sewn.)
I think this matching-fabric-different-dresses is going to be my new strategy for Easter and Christmas dresses, as long as my girls will let me make them match. Which one is your favorite?
8 comments:
You are so talented! They turned out so cute! Hopefully one year I can attempt to make Kambry a dress!
I think i like Olivia's the best. Actually, maybe i like Maddie's the best. Maybe I don't actually know which one i like the best?
Holy smokes, woman! You are amazing! I love them all - but I think Maddie & Olivia's are my favorites. I like that strategy - different patterns, same fabrics. Maybe I can think of a way to do some cuteness like that for my boys. I'm working on an Easter dress for Caroline to match something I already have for the boys. This is definitely some great inspiration!
Mimi and Maddie's are my faves. But all are very cute and I like the move from all the same pattern instead to just that same fabric.
Em, I believe you were typing in tongues! I only speak in 'sale' and 'clearance'. Nevertheless, your many and varied talents do astound! Maddie's tuxedo ruffle was my favorite. But everyone of them deserves an award---I'd buy all of them (as long as they were on 'sale').
Wow!!! I totally regret not spending more time sewing with you! The dresses are beautiful! Nice work!
Yeah...I'd have to agree that I should have taken up sewing lessons from you when we were roomies...perhaps I can muster up some grateness to make PJ bottoms sometime. :) I love...love...love the idea to use the same fabric and different dresses...If I could sew...I'd definitely join you in that reqards. :) Hmmm..favorite...that is hard. I love different aspects of all of them. The Tuxedo ruffle...the large buttons on Olivia's..the princesseque of Mimi's and the black bodice of Bella's...all delightful touches! Amazing Job!!! They look great together and alone! :)
You amaze me! I'd like Livi's in my size, please. :-) The dresses and the girls are absolutely beautiful.
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