Dominique set

 I finished this set a while ago in anticipation of todays birthday party of one special little princess.  Only posting now because we are getting ready to leave for the party, and I did not want to spoil the surprise by blogging the pics in advance.  I'm hoping she and her mom like it.  For the skirt I started out with the FM Venice pattern, adding an underskirt, shirring to CF and CB, and additional ruffles.  The top is an adjusted BizzKids 3103, I had to take in the chest circumference by almost 5cm which I find a lot on a childrens size 6T.  Now it is true that the princess in question is particularly petite and delicate but still.  Fabrics are al 100% cotton, the white is a poplin and the white-with-pink is broderie (eyelet).  All materials UWYH, yay!  

Beertje dress

Inspiration is everywhere... I love to look at details of cute girls clothes in store, and then try to put my own spin on it.  The dress itself is a rather basic two-tone tricot dress with three quarter sleeves and a boat neck.  I built it from a basic fitted t-shirt pattern. The dress is supposed to be form fitting but not super tight.  Different fabrics make a whole different looking dress each time.  This one is in Stenzo fabrics.  DD is happy with it, see last pic.  I´m on to the next as these type of clothes get most wear mileage with my girls.  Comfy clothes that look dressy.

Jump rope dress

She surely does not look too happy with this one... Could be the mood of the moment, let´s hope so.  I think this dress is totally cute.  It has a nice fitted style, simple and sophisticated at the same time.  Fabric from stash, a cotton bamboo blend chambray.  The pattern is the Jump Rope Dress by Oliver + S, until recently darn difficult to find because it was OOP.  Until Ms Gibson made it available for download through her website for $9.95, a link is here.  I highly recommend this pattern. Any of her patterns, really.  Each one is like taking a mini sewing class.  For a new generation self taught seamstress like myself who finds answers on ´´how to´´ mostly on YouTube, reading proper sewing instructions can be a real treat.  For instance by making the Sunday Brunch jacket, I learned a lot about neatly finished interfacing which technique I since then have applied to other projects, like the velvet blazer blogged about earlier.  Can´t recommend the Oliver+S brand enough.

Bluuuuuuuuue Velvet (Blazer)

I purchased this too adorable basic woolen skirt by Bengh, picture here.  Yes I know this is a basic skirt but I just loved the sassy color and the sassy grown up style for my 5 year old.  Mind you, I purchased 134-140 size which is at least two sizes bigger than I usually buy, so beware for the odd sizing this brand sometimes has.  There was a beautiful velour blazer jacket in either a kit color or a dark blue too, click here if you want to see it.  List price of the jacket was 129,- EUR, and sold out before ever going on sale (at least in the size I needed).  Ugh,  and unbelievable.  So.  What else could I do?

The pattern I used can be purchased here.  I made an adjustment to the backside to add the bow decoration and added an inverted pleat to CB.  I also faked the flap style hidden pockets.  This is a kids blazer after all.  I sewed a sz 116 (US 6) with half an inch of additional length to the bodice and the sleeves, my idiot proof approach to make any commercial pattern a more slim fitting style.  With such small additions I usually don´t bother to slash the pattern at the waist and add the length there.  Except for OIiver + S patterns I do this to all commercial patterns I use. But of course it depends on the body type of your child.  I used a fabric from my stash, a royal blue poly/cotton velvet from the remnant bin picked up years ago on a closeout sale.  It has a very short pole, which I suspect is the reason it sewed up like a dream.  Other velvets I have sewn before (100% cotton, or silk-rayon blend) all tended to walk away from the presser foot, leaving me with a frenzy of puckers. 

To complete the outfit I bought this top, the bow of which you can see in the pics. All in all, I am very pleased with the result.  DH´s comment was hilarious, his first one was ´´she looks like a tiny KLM flight attendant´´. What do you think?