Oliver + S: Birthday Party Dress

When my sister was here in September with my niece and my brother-in-law, I learned a few valuable sewing lessons.  First, when altering a pattern, always note somewhere what those changes are.  Second, those little notches and marks on pattern pieces are there for a reason.  Third, sewing with Isabella, while super fun and mega adorable, is completely, totally distracting.  Mistakes will be made.

Back up a couple of months: my sister asked if I would make Isabella a dress for her baptism.  Eeek!  It's been a high pressure gig to be sure; I knew my sister and brother-in-law didn't necessarily want an elaborate Christening gown, but in some ways that made the situation a wee bit scarier.  I should know how to make a dress, right?  I mean, I make them all the time.

Carolyn picked out a cream coloured cotton with small purple dots for the dress, and I suggested the Birthday Party Dress pattern from Oliver + S.  The dress closes in the back with buttons, and for the buttonholes I chose a variegated purple/grey thread.

As with other Oliver + S patterns, the directions were clear and well-illustrated, and the resulting dress is so cute.  But, because I wasn't paying nearly enough attention and employed every bad sewing habit there is, this dress was taken apart and re-sewn entirely at least six times. Now that it's finished, I'll freely admit that I've never been more frustrated making anything than I've been making this dress.

There are still a whole lot of imperfections, but somehow, I don't think Isabella--or Carolyn--will mind that much.