In recent bear events, there was the declaration that only dresses would be tolerated. Being a devoted mother, I set about sewing just that. Little did I realize that there were dress specifications. I mean, I'm talking about a 2-year-old. Surely, there can't be that many specifics. Foolish. Last. Words.
I purchased the most darling Oliver + S pattern; Tea Party Sundress, Bloomers, and Playsuit. You can see the dress patterns here and don't blame me if you spend the rest of your day clicking through their website. I have to give them high marks, not just for the excellent design and packaging of the pattern but for the high quality pattern paper and specific instructions. My proverbial hat is off to you, Oliver + S.
Here is the top of Little Bear's sundress (because you won't get a decent look at it in any other picture).
I made that bias tape my very own self, and I made it incorrectly. But still...I made it! It matches the lining and the bloomers, which have yet to be sewn together.
The buttons are my favorite part aside from the bias tape. (that I made!)
My first mistake was showing her the dress while I was still sewing it. She cried when she couldn't wear it that very moment. My second mistake was trying to get her to wear it when I was finished. You see, she didn't want to wear it when I wanted her to wear it. As with all Little Bear things, it had to be her idea first.
I whisked the freshly pressed dress into her room and asked, (excitement shining in my eyes) "do you want to try on your new dress?"
"No." Little Bear wrinkled her nose like it smelled bad.
"Mommy sewed it just for you. Look, it has blue kitties on it."
"NO!" Little Bear shouted. "Dress!" she said and pointed at her green Easter dress. The one with the FULL skirt that twirls. (You know who else required dresses with full skirts that twirled when they were little? Little Bear's Nonna. But that's a whole 'nother post.)
Her new dress with the blue kitties hung in her closet a full week without being worn, and every day I asked if she wanted to wear it. Every day she said no, and each day I cried a little bit into my coffee. OK, so I only cried the first day. Then I decided to get sneaky.
The thing about bears is that in a head-to-head confrontation, you'll never win. Bears are strong and willful with claws. I realized that I had to present the dress as if I could care less about the outcome. So I hung it on the handle to her closet with a nonchalant glance, like, "oh I'll just put this here temporarily while I'm busy doing something else."
Five minutes later Little Bear brought me the dress. "Dress," she said.
"Do you want to wear it?"
"No," she said.
"Fine. Well, I'll just hang it here until later." I turned my back and left it there, but Little Bear couldn't resist and carried the dress downstairs to The Husband.
Ten minutes later she was back upstairs handing me the dress. I put it on her and she wore it the entire day. The entire day!
So Creative Peeps, I am one happy girl today. Not only did I complete a sewing project but I outmaneuvered a bear. (I'll have to savor this moment, because they're few and faaaaaaar between.)
BAMB - you read my blog?! Squee! (yes, Im squealing like a tween) Thanks for reading (and sharing the love with the book boyfriends) OK, I just have to squeal again.
Posted by: Amy O | 06/10/2011 at 08:40 PM
All I'm going to say is if you made me that dress I would wear it for a f---ing week straight. As soon as Two Year Old understands what fashion is, you are never leaving that sewing machine. A+ job!
Posted by: Books are my Boyfriends | 06/10/2011 at 01:19 PM
what an adorable dress!
Posted by: Christine | 06/07/2011 at 08:50 PM
It is hard to believe you are a beginner sewer. Your work is beautiful and imaginative.
xo
A.S.
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmi-8ETIFOxCUAI2B2MmD0zC4InEyhppMY | 06/04/2011 at 03:23 PM
Its American, I believe. I bought it on sale from Sew Mama. XO
Posted by: Amy O | 06/03/2011 at 04:09 PM
The. Cutest. Ever. Pink and blacky-navy blue? Brilliant! Is the fabric Japanese?
Posted by: Rebecca | 06/03/2011 at 04:05 PM
It's so cute! I can't wait to see the dress she wears while playing soccer with the big boys...definitely have to bring the big camera!
Posted by: PartyMom | 06/02/2011 at 10:41 PM
oh AMY. It's perfect!!! I love that pale pink bias tape (that you MADE) with the blue kitties. I love it! (My girl still doesn't know she has a choice in clothes - wonder when she'll figure that out?!).
and bias tape - I love it so much and I have figured out some better ways to work with it since the first skirt I made where it looked so awful I cut it off. yes I did (and blogged about it - http://thriftathome.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-my-lawn-is-mostly-weeds.html). Do you have a bias tape maker? And I don't always cut on the bias either - I cut on the straight grain.
Posted by: Margo | 06/02/2011 at 10:04 PM
Beautiful dress- I love the fabric and bias tape detail. And I can relate to the dangers of showing a toddler what you are sewing. Alex always wants to try on whatever I'm making- even if it's newborn or adult size.
Posted by: Kyleann33 | 06/02/2011 at 08:52 PM