Baby Boarding School Dress

I made my little baby girl a new dress for fall.

The look reminded me of The Little Princess film and the little girl's boarding school uniform dresses, but obviously more modern.

I chose to keep the dress monochromatic to try to further spotlight the contrasting buttons and let the details of the design be the focus rather than a fabric print.  

Actually, this is made out of a gray microfiber sheet I bought on clearance during back to school sales.

I wanted to design a dress unique from the usual baby dresses, mainly the skirt sitting on the true waist rather than the typical empire (skirt starts between armpits and waist).  Rather than gathering the skirt, I put inverted pleats across the front and back.  

The neckline was inspired by Sugar City's Village Frock. 

The gathered neckline is only on the front, and I used a facing/ lining to take care of the raw edges without having to top-stitch anywhere.  My elastic around the buttons is too thick, but I had dyed white elastic months ago, and it was the thinnest gray elastic I had.  

I had designed the dress to have the buttons function to get the dress on and off, but it ended up fitting Ellaria well according to the measurements I took, but I forgot how babies heads are large in proportion to the rest of their body.  The first fitting I did manage to get it on her head, but in the end it was too close for comfort.  So I ended up hand sewing the whole button placket shut, so they're all faux buttons.

I just put a zipper in the back so it can open down to the waist to get her in and out more easily.

She's just got a big noggin!

So here's the whole dress thanks to Dad holding her hand. 

It's a challenge to find mustard baby tights.

So I just bought a white pair of cotton tights (they were more expensive, $3.00 for one pair but they are thicker than nylon).

I used Rit dye, in a new color called Golden Yellow which is more of a mustard compared to the other more Lemon yellow.  Because the tights were the natural fiber cotton, they took the dye really well.  These were in the dye bath 10 minutes.  I am loving the versatility of using dye to get what I want lately!

I don't think she cares one way or the other. 

 But we think she's sure cute! 

Headband made like this one, but has knit leaves and a yellow button center.

 We were taking these photos and usually my 3 year old son is a big helper with things like this.

But he was being a pill had earned himself a time out for making a "sad choice".  

He was pouting and bawling about wanting to hold Ellie, and sneaked in his stool bringing his hurt feelings with him. 

After his time out, we eventually did let him hold Ellie.

This photo speaks tons on their relationship.

I really hope RJ always adores his "sweet sis" as much as he has so far.  

{He used to call her "my chubby girl" but it's faded out, as we all hoped that nickname wouldn't be long term for her sake}

She did get happy again once released from his hug.

I do have to admit it is fun having a daughter to have an excuse to sew the occasional little dress.