Micaela – the most recent bride – and I are in love with black and white dresses for little girls.  At least we are ever since spotting the most adorable ones in Ottawa on the Glebe.  I don’t know who talked the other into a black and white, sophisticated  dress for her oh-so-sweet flower girl, but it certainly reinforced why I love making little girl dresses!  This one was so cute that I couldn’t give it up!

The pattern- Simplicity 4647 cannot be applauded more for it’s ease, correctness in sizing and adaptability! 

On to the Pattern Review

Simplicity 4647

Pattern Description: Child’s special occassion dress in two lengths.

Pattern Sizing: Children’s sizes 3-8  Using 2 measurements sent by the flower girl’s mother- chest and length from neck to mid calf, I decided to make the size 5.  The flower girl is a thin 5 year old and the dress fit perfectly.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did.  It may have even been fuller in the skirt than is pictured.  The dress actually stood upright on the floor all by itself!

Were the instructions easy to follow?  This is a very straightforward, easy dress to construct.   There were a few “whadda mean?” moments, but they may be attributed to the fact that too many dresses were trying to be sewn in a short period of time!  If you know how to sew a dress and a lining, there should be no difficulties with this pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I liked the simplicity of it.  The fabric that is chosen and any embellishment that is added really make the dress.

F abric Used:   Black and white gingham taffeta for the dress, black broadcloth for the bodice lining.  Heavy black crinoline for the petticoat..  All from the local Fabricland.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made the shorter style with the sweetheart neckline and no sleeves.  I bound the bottom of the netting with some of the taffeta just in case the flower girl decide to do somersaults down the aisle- she didn’t but she did play bocce ball during the reception!  <This dress was made “from a distance”.  The mother sent me the chest measurement as well as the length from shoulder to mid calf, as I requested.  From those measurements, the size that I chose fit perfectly.  The zipper was hand stitched to ensure that the gingham matched perfectly.
I was not happy with the size of the bow.  I drafted a new bow which ended up about 50% larger than the original.  I hand tacked the bow to the left side of the sash and used a hook and eye to attach the bow completely.  It caused no difficulties throughout the day.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This makes an adorable, easy dress for an occasion such as a wedding.  I would definitely make this dress again.

Conclusion: The flower girl looked and felt like a princess!  It even won first prize at our local fair.  The judge was especially impressed with the bow! Truthfully, I felt like a bit of a fraud, this dress was sooo easy to make, and the little model was a pefect angel all day and night!

I know you are all thinking “enough with the teasing- let’s see the bride’s dress in all it’s glory.  Patience my friends, Patience!  I’ve been trying to get things sewn for the Wardrobe Contest on PR, and have 5 items this far from done.  I keep changing my mind on the “topper” but I think I found just the right item while doing some window shopping a few days ago.  I need a raglan sleeve, turtleneck pattern to make it, and as I don’t have one, I am going to get a Simplicity pattern that I think will do the job.  No time for pattern drafting at this late date!

Tagged as: flower girl dress, Simplicity 4647, wedding, Wedding sewing