party dress

Finally, a chance to hop on to the blog and say hi! We're all a little worn out here - Stephen's been away for work, and when he has been home he's been busy busy with work, and my little Oesch has been under the weather, he's very chesty and very snotty.

However, Doots is in fine form, and today she had her first kindergarten birthday party to attend. I whipped her up a little dress, in yellow of course. I bought this fabric a while ago to make an Oliver + S dress, which shamefully, I have given up on for now. Buttonholes and I have never been on friendly terms, and I thought better than to try to win them over on this occasion. Perhaps I'll start a conversation with them when I have a few lazy hours to spare.

So I used a pattern from here instead. It's really like a pillowslip dress (but without the pillowslip ;). I added a band of contrasting fabric at the hem because it was a little too short. I was thinking of Ange when I made it, and I think it makes the dress.

The contrast fabric is Heather Bailey (I think?) from a fat quarter I bought on impulse just the other day. I used it for the shoulder straps too.

I also made a couple of yo-yos to make a little decoration for the front, although next time I'll pop it a bit higher up. I also made a yo-yo brooch for the birthday girl. They are so fun to make (although I am possibly the last woman in the universe to discover them). I can sense an addiction coming on!

Such a quick and satisfying make. And Doots, who is not the frilly type, loves it.  These photos are post-party, and she even did some gardening in it, planting yellow tulip bulbs with her dad. And no, she didn't wear the silver jiffies to the party!

And the party? Twelve delighted kinder girls with painted faces, one princess jumping castle, two faeries, one enchanted garden with hidden jewels to find, games, cake and one delightfully gracious five year old birthday girl. It's going to be a difficult act to follow come July!

x Sarah