It was the last day of school holidays yesterday so I grabbed the opportunity to get some sewing done. I cut out the pattern and fabric the night before, sewed the dress in about 5 mini sessions at my machine and quickly finished it off this morning. I was hoping she was going to wear it to preschool but she’s insisting on something else. I’d wear this one I love it so much.
This pattern, Kwik Sew K0143, was so straightforward. It did have a zipper and I haven’t done a zipper in about 5 years so I was nervous. Putting the zipper in was easy but mine is far from perfect. I’ve always managed to enjoy sewing for little girls without sewing zippers into dresses. There are just so many patterns with elastic and gathering that you can avoid zippers. It wasn’t that bad to put in and the instructions were easy but I’ll work on zippers.
The bodice construction was very easy and it was all put together and then attached to the dress. There was still a little bit of hand stitching required at the back of the zipper. Now I was going to hand stitch the bodice to the lining but the pattern called for stitch in the ditch. My stitch in the ditch is more like a meandering path so I can see a few little spots that I’ve missed the mark but overall it worked well and saved me handstitching. I didn’t want to go up a bit and sew through the bodice neatly around but next time I will.
There were lots of step by step drawings included in the pattern so you knew what the instructions were talking about and compared to the McCalls dress I sewed recently this pattern was so much easier to follow and enjoyable.
The fabric is Flower Sugar and the pockets weren’t supposed to be contrasting but I just love the contrast. And the pockets were super easy to put in too.
All in all this was a great pattern and I don’t know why I haven’t discovered them before. I’ll definitely be making this one again (the other girls are lining up for one each) and someone got a new summer dress so everyone is happy.
And they are all back to school and preschool today!
That is just gorgeous !
That is an absolutely beautiful little dress. I can see it being very popular this summer in different fabrics too. It looks as neat as a pin. Great work Corrie. PS I hate zippers too and avoid them at all costs.
Superb little dress – I love the different fabric for the pocket.
Wow Corrie that is just adorable! You did a beautiful job sewing (as per usual!) xxxxx
PS Corrie where did you buy the fabric from? xxx
A beautiful dress for a little girl. A lovely finish. Very fresh and summery looking. Motivating me to sew some girly dresses for my granddaughters.
Such a gorgeous dress! I love the contrasting fabric for the pockets. I’m not a fan of sewing zippers either
Piękny strój! Niezwykle elegancji i z klasą uwielbiam takie radosne i orzeźwiające kolory 😀
Hi Corrie,
Zippers are easy. Ther are lots of help on you tube. And if you tack it in first it’s better.
Also use a longer zipper than neede and you can stitch accoss it, where needed.
Magic tap 1/2″ is useful for marking also.
That is just too pretty and I love the style of it. I can never finish a zipper properly. Might be better if I do it by hand first I guess. Hope you make more dresses for your gorgeous girls.