Since first discovering landscape and pastoral fabrics being used in dresses via my friend An from StraightGrain (have you seen this dress?), I have been wanting to make one up for one of my girls.  I also recently saw this beautiful dress by Trine from Groovybaby and mama, and thought, "right, that's it! I am making one!!"  I found this beautiful fabric (called Morning Meadow by Wilmington Prints) last weekend at a local quilting store and then wondered which pattern I would use to create my landscape dress.  Perfect - An's Tinny dress pattern!  Then I can join in with the awesome series, Flip this pattern:)  You might have seen my first Tinny dress when I guest posted on An's blog in June.  I loved the pattern and was keen to make it again. 

Edit: if you want to swap an invisible zipper for an exposed zipper, you will need to account for the added width the exposed zipper creates in the width of the bodice back.  My zip added 2cm (3/4") to the back bodice width.  I accounted for this by cutting 1cm (3/8") from the centre back edge of each back bodice piece.  If you are using a metal zipper, you will break your sewing needle if you try to sew over the teeth!  I hand stitched the skirt at the point where the zip and skirt meet.
Can you believe it is winter here? It was over 20 degrees last week.  We have had beautiful weather this week, and Issie doesn't need an excuse to pull of her cardigan.
 She loves the dress too and has quickly name it her 'tree dress'.


 My beautiful girl turned the big five last week!! Don't grow up too quick!!

 

I made the aprons from white cotton drill - a gathered skirt with separate waistband and curved bib.  The neck just has elastic to make it easy to pull on and off.  The hats are just two triangles with elastic at the back too.  The circles are double layer fused with iron on interfacing and the crosses were stitched on white ribbon.

I did overcapitalise a bit on the case but it was too cute.  I added the blue and white cross emblem to match the aprons.

My favourite line in the book is...."That brand-new bandage looked so fresh and fine that even Tom could smile at it now."  The girls' medical kit has an abundance of cheap, no frills band-aids.

 Ros and I have synched our Nurse posts today, so make sure you go and check her's out here!!  I'm off to have a look now too:)

source

 

 

Yes I was a bit mean getting Issie to pose in the beginning of winter without a top on...but I am usually the one trying to get her to put more clothes on!!  She was soon inside curled up with a cardi and our cat:)

 

 

 

Stefan is coming home from work wondering if he has stepped back in time! The Wiggles bandaids on the knees give it away!

 

I have one more view to show you of the dress and then it is time to get busy with drawing and digitalising!! Exciting.

 

For more vintage inspiration, have a look at the Vintage May flickr pool.

 

Also joining in with Show and Tell for the first time.

 

Today Juliette turned three years old.  This is her birthday dress.  I had lots of fun drafting my first (hand drawn) pattern - The Perennial Dress, but wanted to challenge myself and attempt a digital pattern.  The 'mini pinnie' is my new design.  I am going to make a variation on the dress also with a tunic option with larger piped bib pocket (more creations to follow in the coming weeks!)

 

 

It features piped shoulder detail with a faux strap with button.

 

 

The pocket tops are also piped (I made the piping with piping cord and homemade bias binding).

 

With tights and a cardi, the dress will be great for cooler days too.