Figgy's Sunki Dress

I have had this dress on the list of to makes for some time.
With the requirement for some new clothes for the resident 10 year old we sat down and looked through the pattern stash.  She originally chose a Newlook pattern,  going from experience she is not yet in the 'tweens' sizing just yet.  Remembering that I had the Sunki pattern safely saved on the computer I too her measurements, printed it off and then we headed to the fabric store together. 

We had a lovely afternoon together and she left with two bags filled with fabrics for some new clothes. (I am going to be busy in the coming weeks) 

I wasn't 100% certain on her fabric choice for this dress. Who was I to argue, she can't buy clothes from the stores that she likes and I'm enjoying watching her find her own style. 

I started this dress after putting the kids to bed.  It was finished and ready to wear at 3.30am for the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.  You think that after being with a serving member for 17 years that I would be more prepared with clothing sorted prior to the night before.  There will always be next year.

This pattern runs short.  Think 70's mini skirt.  Between Dawn Service and our next function I unpicked the hem and added a 4 inch Black band. I love everything about this dress.  I love the sleeves and the shoulder details.  Even the zip went in without too much stress.  It is far from perfect, but not bad for 11pm at night.  (note: the pockets are as good as useless though, they are purely for aesthetics)

The vest was a quick make.  A furry vest has been on her wish list for a while now and I think that she is thrilled with it and I can see her getting a lot of wear out of it this year.

Project Summery:

• Figgys Sunki Dress
• Size 6/7 - graded out to a size 8 with size 8 length
• Bonded Georgette - Lounge Leopard  The Remnant Warehouse - $25
• Vest - Simplicity 1787- Black Fur - The Remnant Warehouse - $15
• Zip - The Remnant Warehouse - 50c

SEWING / CHILDREN : Racer Back Flower Dress

Sometimes a fabric jumps out of you.  This is exactly what this fabric did to Miss A when we had a girls day recently resulting in a trip to Pitt Trading.  The flowers are beautiful and the fabric is so soft. 

Armed with a few new patterns for her we were very happy when we walked out with a brown paper bag filled with a few things to make her a few special pieces.  I am finding it rather difficult to purchase RTW things for her at the moment.  She is quiet small and short for her age, she really does take after her mother this one.

I tried my hardest to talk her into the shorter version, but she would hear of it.  She had a 'long' dress in mind, she is very fortunate that she has a mother who can sew as this required a little bit of fiddling to get the length correct for her.
It was worth it though, it is already in very high rotation and also makes a great dress to throw on after being at the beach all day.

Pattern:  New Look (Tween) 6297
Fabric:   Pitt Trading Floral Knit 
Size:     8 
Alterations:    Altered the hem length by 10cm before cutting and then took another 5cm off once sewn.  Added cotton tape to the shoulders and down the sides to give it some stability (the weight of the dress kept making the length grow. Took in in my 1 inch on each side.
Didn't do the back bow, , instead made a tube from a co-ordinating fabric
Changes for next time:  I won't purchase as much fabric.  I was able to get this out of Amelia's length as the fabric was wide.
Location: Palm Beach; NSW.