Finished: "A is for Apple" Toddler Dress (New Look 6016)

Z rocks her new frock.

Inspiration: This adorable apple-print baby corduroy was the only remotely Christmas-appropriate fabric in the stash--and I am sworn to ONLY sew from the stash. Baby girl loves apples--they make great projectiles!

The pattern: New Look 6016 separates, a toddler jumper, purse, knit top and leggings.

Photos:

Babies are easy to photograph--they just lie there! Toddlers, not so much.

The girl loves her accessories (whether they be sunglasses, or a toy tool belt).

Here's a yoga view, featuring Mommy and Daddy's feet.

"Hi Elmo--isn't my new dress super awesome?"

The all-important xylophone view.

Pattern Description:

Simple loose-fitting girl's yoked jumper with front and back pleats and two buttons. Cute and sweet!

Pattern Sizing:

Toddler sizing (1/2 to 4T). I made the 2T. It fits great on my 32" tall, 27 lb. 18-month-old toddler, with plenty of room for her cuddly tummy and some space to grow--maybe she can eventually even wear it as a tunic.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, but without all the rick-rack, zippers, bows, ribbons or rosettes. My version is also much longer, but that's a good thing--she'll grow into it.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Simple enough--it's a very basic pattern, but they were just standard pattern company instructions. Nothing special or fun.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

It's cute, it's sweet, it's simple, and it works well for a large-ish print fabric because there are no seams or gathers on the body. A good toddler basic.

Fabric Used: About a yard of apple-patterned baby corduroy from Jo-Ann's ($9). It was really thin and soft and easy to work with, though I had to make sure to use a one-way cutting layout. I didn't worry about crushing the pile while pressing. I also didn't worry about pattern matching at seams, though I did make sure that the apples were vaguely centered on the back and front.

The pink buttons are from M&J Trimming--I spent over an hour waffling between red and pink before going pink, and they're a bit larger than the pattern calls for for extra toddler sewing drama.

Construction notes:

• The armholes are finished with Wright's single-fold navy bias tape. I had never used bias tape before, but it worked well here--better than a facing would have, I think.
• I sewed the buttons on with a little asymmetric floral design instead of the standard X design.
• I pinked some seams and--gasp!--left others totally unfinished. I was in a rush!
• The hem is overcast and then machine top-stitched instead of my usual hand-stitched hem.
• I had some trouble getting the curvy bits just right when sewing the front yoke to the front yoke facing using the standard sewing 3/8" from the seam allowance technique. So on the back yoke I drew the stitching lines on in chalk and it came out MUCH more symmetrical and accurate.

Detail shot:

Successes:

• First use of bias tape! Cross another one off of the "Mikhaela is a sewing wimp" list!
• I made the right number of buttonholes this time.
• First time making a yoked dress.
• First time sewing pleats (easy! at least these ones were!)

Room for improvement?: Next time I'll draw the stitching lines for ALL the curved bits.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and yes--I think this might become a good wardrobe basic for her in a variety of fabrics, though I don't think it's nearly as fun and stylish as the Oliver + S dress I made previously.

Conclusion: A sweet jumper for a sweet girl. What's not to like?

Bonus Christmas photos, pt. 1: Z has super awful allergies (as in: she had her first tiny bite of hummus at 10 months old and minutes later we had to call 911 and rush to the ER) to sesame, peanuts, cow's milk and eggs. So she had never in her life eaten a cookie until this Christmas, when we made vegan sugar cookies together. Shaped like apples, of course:

Bonus Christmas photos, pt. 2:

P.S. I didn't get to make a dress for myself but check out my $4 Christmas outfit--thrifted $2 top and sidewalk sale $2 skirt!

P.P.S. Ok, that's all. Happy Holidays, everyone!