Sweetpea's Spring Dress (Finally done!)

Remember waaaaay back when I showed you a sneak peak of my "next" project?  It's finally done.

Presenting...  Sweetpea's Spring Dress (drum roll, please.)

I used the same pattern I used for the dress I made her for her 3rd birthday last July, Simplicity's pattern 2432, which I blogged about here.  The adorable orange material with apples and daisies was given to me in a hand-me-down material bag, as was the white linen I used for the lining.  The green striped cotton was from my stash (keeping with the "Use What I Have" theme for the year). 

I had intended to try the addition of little puffy white sleeves.  But in the end, I was not brave enough to attempt an alteration like that.  I had visions of little puffy white sleeves sticking out of the armholes and a little white apron tied around the waist.  Didn't happen.  It's probably just as well.  White.  On Sweetpea.  Hahahahhah!

I seem to have trouble with zippers on garments.  Specifically, trouble matching up one side with the other.  This time, I broke down and bought a fabric glue stick to temporarily fix the zipper to the dress.  Pinning just doesn't cut it for me.  I end up getting so frustrated and wanting to recycle my machine.  It was the best $3 I've spent.  Recently, that is.  I had never used it before, so I was quite skeptical.  But desperate times call for less that desperate measures sometimes.  Next time, I'll have to use a bit more than I used this time to make sure I cover the entire zipper area really thoroughly with glue.  I think that will make it hold better.

I also had never done an applique before.

I thought the skirt could do with something to pull it together more completely with the top.  So I added a couple of cute appliques and some ricrack (which, incidentally, I also had never used before).

Sweetpea loves it.

And she enjoyed modeling it.

I love when stuff I make for the kids makes them so happy.  She didn't want to take it off...

Happy April 1st to you!!