Puppet Show Dress

This little orange outfit was made from the Oliver and S pattern titled "Puppet Show Dress".  The curved bodice line, little darts and buttoned sleeve band are details that make it a quality item. 

Inspiration to make the dress came from a 50 year old apron that my mother frequently wore when I was a girl.  In de-cluttering her house a couple of years ago I discovered the thread bare half apron but decided to hang on to it and incorporate the embroidered parts in a dress for a grand daughter.

So I used those bits on the sleeve band and the collar.

I like the shorts with the little gathers at the leg opening and handmade bias trim.  The pattern also calls for two pockets but I chose not to use them in this application.

Rounded Yoke Dress

There is a two year old birthday girl in the family and thanks to older cousins, she is a fan of 18 inch dolls.  So for her birthday she got a knock off American Girl Doll and I made a few outfits for it.  This green colonial doll dress inspired me to make a similar dress for the grand daughter.  

Doll dress was made using McCall's Craft pattern 3627.

Girl's dress is from an old Simplicity 7643.  I modified the sleeve by moving the elastic from the end of the sleeve to about 2 inches from the end, creating the ruffle.

 I used embroidery floss for a hand sewn pink top stitching and accented with pink flower buttons.