Monday 4 November 2013

The Madeline Dress by Wink Designs

My eldest Granddaughter is turning 3 at the end of this month and I have had my eye out for a simple toddler dress pattern that would be suitable to make for her as a gift. Initially, I purchased Simplicity 2265 in the recent pattern sale on Pattern Review. After having a closer look at it and reading some reviews, I realised there was quite a lot of work in making it, plus I was not going to be able to do any fittings during construction, as she lives a 6 hour drive away from me.

Then I spotted The Madeline Dress by Wink Designs.  Blogless Anna was a pattern tester and made a very cute "Madeline Dress" for her daughter. I was smitten with the cuteness of it and I checked out Wink Designs Etsy Shop straight away. Wink Designs is a small pattern maker based in Sydney Australia, who sells her PDF patterns for little girls through her Etsy shop.


Photo by Wink Designs
Photo by Wink Designs

I just loved the sweet little peter pan collar, the simple bodice, the buttons at the back, the cute pockets with the contrasting pocket flap and the fullness of the gathered skirt. This was just what I was looking for. So here is my version.

Front
Based on my Granddaughters measurements (taken during her last visit a few weeks ago) I cut a size 2 bodice and I lengthened the skirt to the size 3. I purchased this polycotton fabric from Bargain Box Fabrics. I love the bright and cheerful colours.

Back
The PDF Pattern was very easy to put together and each size was in a different colour, making it very easy to trace the correct size. There is a size chart (based on body measurements), instructions on how to assemble the PDF pattern, a fabric guide and a cutting layout. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and included some line drawings and a photo to illustrate the construction steps. The only problem I had was cutting out the main fabric. The recommended yardage was not enough to fit all the pattern pieces on. I overcame the issue by adding a contrasting strip across the bottom of the skirt. This was cut from the recommended yardage for the contrast fabric. Anyway, I quite like the contrasting band on the skirt. It ties in the collar and the pocket flaps.

Contrasting Peter Pan Collar

Buttons and buttonholes on the back of the bodice.

Pocket with contrasting pocket flap.

Contrasting band on skirt hem with top stitching.

The bodice is fully lined with contrasting fabric.

Inside back of bodice with button closure.
There was no interfacing used in this dress. The instructions suggest putting interfacing in the collar if preferred, but said it wasn't necessary. When I make this dress again, I think I will interface the area under the buttonholes. They feel a little fragile without interfacing.

Inside of skirt.
I over-locked (serged) the raw edges inside the dress to neaten them and the hem is simply turned up twice and top stitched.

I hope my Granddaughter will love this dress as much as I do. Hopefully I will update this post with a photo of her modelling the dress after her birthday.


Happy Sewing

18 comments:

  1. The details on this dress are adorable. I have never been a fan of sewing for little people but adored sewing a shirtdress for my niece because it was soooo cute. You should check out Oliver + S they are also divine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't sewn for little people since my own children were little, which was quite a long time ago. They are all grown up now, and giving me grand children, so I may do a bit more sewing for little people in the future. Thanks for suggesting Oliver + S. I have heard of them but haven't had a look as yet.

      Delete
  2. What a sweet little dress! You make me want to sew for my little grand-daughters. I sewed all my first GD 's dresses when she was younger. She's now 16 and I'm sewing denim for her these days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great that you can still sew for your granddaughter at 16. Most teenagers are very choosy about what they wear and homemade clothes are not usually very popular.

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful dress, you have inspired me to make that design for my 1 year old granddaughter, hope my local Spotlight has similar fabrics, great job

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Helen. I'm glad I have been able to inspire you. I'm sure Spotlight will have some great fabrics to choose from. I wish I lived closer to a Spotlight. The nearest one to me is two hours drive away.

      Delete
  4. Oh, it is lovely! Kids adore bright colours, she is sure to just love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carolyn. It certainly has bright colours so it should appeal to her.

      Delete
  5. What a sweet dress! I like sewing for little people and hope one of these days to be sewing some things for my own grandchildren:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Angela. It is lovely to have grandchildren to sew for. Just a shame all mine live so far away that I don't get to see them often.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your dress is lovely. The colours are so very little girl appropriate. Congratulations. Cheers, Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen. Hopefully my three year old granddaughter will like it.

      Delete
  8. This is just beautiful! Lovely and bright and girly ~ you will have one lucky (and spoilt) little Granddaughter wearing this. Great sewing ... J

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks Judith. It was a fun dress to make.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Adorable! Your granddaughter will love this precious dress for sure :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sarah. Her birthday is next week and I am looking forward to sending it to her.

      Delete
  11. Oh my goodness! This is just the sweetest little dress *ever*!! I love the contrasting collar and skirt band! I'm sure your granddaughter will look simply adorable in this dress and mom is sure to love it:) This makes me want to sew little dresses for my baby nieces:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rikki. It is fun to sew cute little dresses.

      Delete