Toddler Dress

Simplicity Toddler Dress

Grade: B

Difficulty: Intermediate

Pattern: Simplicity 2461

So I bought this pattern one of many times that JoAnns had them on sale this year, for $1. Can't beat that! The fabric is a 100% cotton, from Fabri-Quilt Inc., circa 1995. It's kind of old so you aren't likely to find it anywhere, sorry.

Pinafore and dress together, from the front

I gave this pattern a B for a couple of reasons. Overall, it was fairly easy to sew. There were a couple of times that I read through the directions, and wished I had a translator. Luckily, I actually found the pictures in this one very helpful. I love the way that the pattern directs you to use a piece of bias tape in the inside of the neckline to give it a nice, flat, smooth finished edge. No itchies! Mostly the B grade comes from the overall fit. I know I have a skinny toddler, but I feel like it's way too big around on her!  Maybe if you have a chunky to super chunky kid, it would fit just like you want it to though!

 Together, from the back.

Nevertheless, I will be using this pattern again for sure! The finished product looks very nice without too much hassle! The dress pictured is a size 1 (approximately an 18 month). Next time I'm going to try making a size 2, but only cut it to the size 1 width (if that makes sense) so that it isn't quite to big! the only downside, is that I find I need to iron it after most washes. Bleh. But that's what old cotton will do I guess!

Difficulty-wise, you need to be okay with some curved seams, hems, putting elastic in casings, attaching buttons, and putting in a zipper.

Just the dress, front view.

In case you are wondering, I got this fabric for free from my Grandma's stash. She had a bolt of each of them, which I, ahem, borrowed with permission. That plus getting the pattern for $1, means I bought the zipper, and two little spools of matching thread. So less than $5 total. Yay for Grandma's stash!

Pinafore, from the front.

Lastly, Miss E loves it! Lately she wants to wear dresses almost every day of the week! This one looks cute with her little leggings, that help keep her warmer now that it's decided to get cold, or with her tights if she wants to wear it to church. Or I've even put it on her with pants. She grew a little after I cut it out. It's not tunic length on her yet, but given how big around it is on her, she can probably wear it that long! I love that it looks cute with or without the pinafore too! If it still fits her next spring, we may try the pinafore over a short sleeve shirt with some bloomers or a diaper cover.

Pinafore back. Hard to see, but it is split down the middle. Also, no buttonholes! You make loops of fabric to button them through! So far the loops have worked just fine to hold the buttons.

Let me know what you think! Also, if you try this one out, I would love links to see pictures, or to hear what you thought of this pattern!