The Festivity Dress, aka The Pinecone Dress

I was lucky enough to test Elegance & Elephant's Festivity Dress before it's release last November. This pattern offers two styles: a fit and flare silhouette with twirly, flouncy skirt and a simpler, faster A-line option. Since I wanted this dress to be Evelyn's holiday dress, I opted for the fuller fit and flare dress but I actually think that the A-line option might be really handy for larger or directional prints when you don't want to worry about those pretty, but pesky, princess seams breaking it up. Plus, a time-saving A-line dress might just be the difference between making one holiday dress or two (ahem). 

I decided on a 3/4 sleeve because it felt just right with this ladylike little dress but the pattern allows you to choose your own sleeve-length adventure.

I confess that I'm a "dress person." I love color and pattern and dresses are a really great canvas for both. Sewing for my kids makes it even more fun because I feel like they can pull off a wide variety of prints and styles. I'm not sure how well this silvery, glitter-flecked fabric shows in the pictures but, in person, it reminds me of a wearable vintage Christmas card: perfection.

Disclosure: I received this pattern in exchange for my feedback on my experiences as well as photos of the completed dress. However, any opinions expressed are my own and reflect my own experiences with the pattern.

First Day Dresses, aka The Cat Dresses

The First Day Dress Pattern by MADE Everyday has been on my "must sew" list for a long time. There are lots of mix n' match options included in the pattern (A-Line Dress/Top, Swing Dress/Top, Cap Sleeves/Sleeveless and with or without placket) but I knew that the mod little cap sleeve and twirly skirt would be a winning combination for my two sweet and spunky girls.



I was initially concerned, when I really started reading through the pattern, that the single button on the back wouldn't allow the dress to be tailored enough for a good fit. Without fabric to spare, I made a muslin of the top portion of the dress to make sure that I was able to customize the fit for each of my girls. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to fit the dress. I did find that the neckline seemed a teensy bit high and lowered it slightly for comfort on each of the dresses.

The top of the dress is lined so I used Lindsay Wilkes' (aka The Cottage Mama's) genius construction technique to put it together cleanly. I love her "Lessons with Lindsay" series of videos and you can register to watch them too on Baby Lock's "Sew at Home" website. The one I used for this dress is "Lessons with Lindsay: A-line Armholes."

Let's talk fabric. I made a special trip to Ikea for this find. When I saw it in person, I hesitated because the cat faces seemed like they might be too large for child-size dresses. Also, I thought the  larger pattern repeat would be difficult to line up but I think it was ultimately worth the effort. The dress is lined in a bright pink broadcloth from Jo-Ann's.

One of my favorite parts of sewing for my girls is making dresses for different holidays, not just Easter and Christmas. Before Halloween, I styled the orange and white dress with a black cardi, striped knee socks and black flats. Without the black and white, this dress is a fun and funky option for any day . . . even a "First Day."  ;)

Photography by Jessica Peterson