I've mentioned before how I felt a bit lost this year when I realized it was time to embark on a new style of sewing for Indigo. She's growing up, turning into quite the little lady, and her style was changing right along with her. After spending more than half a decade sewing dresses for preschool-aged girls, I could see these dresses were becoming a little too 'kiddish' as Indigo calls it and it was time to find or redefine her new style. Initially, I was unsure and intimidated.
But those feelings are all behind me now and I have fully embraced this new stage. I am loving -loving- sewing for Indigo. It's been so fun to branch out into new patterns that feel a little more sophisticated and chic to me while still being so wearable and not too grown up.
Sometimes finding such patterns can take some effort. So I was pretty thrilled when I saw the Antalya dress, a newly released pattern by Willow and Co. Olga from Kid Approved nailed it with this one! I love everything about this dress and in my opinion, it's about as perfect as you can get for the little-big girl.
There are so many great details about this dress and they are all so unique. I hadn't sewn anything quite like this dress before. I love learning new skills with an indie pattern, too, because they are always so thoroughly written. This pattern was no exception.
So, first, I love the short dolman sleeves. They make the dress feel so effortless and stylish.
I happen to be a pretty big fan of piping (and Indigo is too), so it's no surprise that I love the piped bodice. I also appreciated that Olga tells you which way to press the piping seam allowance. I learned that one the hard way when I made this dress.
I also loved the partial gathering of the front bodice that then extends into the back skirt. It works so well with the clean lines of the dress.
The fabric is Nani Iro Sen Ritsu. It's a delicate, floaty cotton and the photos do not do this fabric justice. I never took notice of this fabric until I saw a photo on Flickr of the Oliver + S Puppet show dress made in it. The photo was a close up and I was looking at it on my computer screen instead of my iPhone. I stared at it like it was a fine art painting.
When I googled the fabric line, I remembered that Kristin had used it here and it was maybe even used in Stylo? I think it may have been.
It's hard to see in photos, but the copper colored flowers have a metalic sheen that's just so beautiful. It balances and adds interest to this otherwise delicate floral print.
I knew I wanted to play off those copper accents with my piping choice. I had an issue with a pretty large fabric company messing up my order and the fabric I had ordered was apparently 'lost in the mail'.
So I dug through my own stash and serendipitously re-discovered a half yard of shot cotton that I had used for this skirt for Indigo two years ago. It's a copper color with some green undertones interwoven in it and it was perfect for this project.
Marie Kondo would not be happy with this discovery, because in this case, my fabric hoarding paid off and I can't say it's the first time either. Every once in awhile I find the most perfect coordinating fabric in my stash and it makes me so happy. I don't have a great indie fabric store here and online shopping can be so hit or miss. So while I love the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I may be a life-long fabric hoader. I never know which fabric will later spark joy. :)
I chose to finish the back of the dress with buttons rather than the exposed zipper. I do love the exposed zipper, but it didn't feel right with this delicate fabric. The buttons felt like a better choice.
Indigo (who just turned 8) is very tall and thin so I cut the bodice in the size 7 and the skirt length in the size 10. I added 3 inches to that and it was just right for her. So, if you like a knee length skirt you may want to add a bit of length to this pattern, just to be safe.
I really can't say enough good things about this pattern or the dress! Thanks for the super awesome pattern, Olga! Indigo and I love it!
I am in love with this dress. It's perfect. Perfect match of fabric and style for this age, and you have sewn it oh-so-beautifully. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteJust gorgeous! Love it all - the pattern, the fabric, the piping. I've seen that fabric in person and it's divine. Gosh your tall girl looks older than just-eight! (Yikes, that must strike fear into a mother's heart!)
ReplyDeleteHere is a young lady ! This dress is awesome, you know how much I love piping...
ReplyDeleteSuper pretty!
ReplyDeleteThis is perfection! I love everything about the dress. It definitely doesn't look "kiddish" on your beautiful girl.
ReplyDelete'kiddish' yes. glad we avoided that! ;P thank you so much!
DeleteI think your length mods have actually improved on the proportions of the original dress - and I LOVE the loop-button closure with the bias trim on the back. It's really lovely and suits her so nicely. And I wonder whether I know which large fabric company you mean ... I had a similar issue a month ago though they did ship me out a replacement since the fabric was still in stock.
ReplyDeleteaw man! such a bummer! :/ and thank you!
DeleteI knew your version of the Antayla was going to be good, but this good? Wow! Nani Iro with metallic accents and shot cotton? I am in awe. Also your daughter...just a beautiful as the dress!
ReplyDeleteyou are too kind to me. thank you!
DeleteSTUUUUUNNING!!! Absolutely stunning!! I love sewing for this age. I actually think it is just as much the fabrics as it is the patterns that makes a difference. And gosh Indigo is so beautiful. I love this pattern too and I can't believe how fast you came from cutting the pattern to actually have a published blog post :-) Way to go!
ReplyDeletewell thanks so much, Mie. i have really enjoyed seeing your sewing for the big-little girl! you are a natural!
DeleteWOW!!! This is just beautiful. I adore the piping and your fabric choice! Thanks so much for joining us on the tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having me! It was such a fun pattern to sew! :)
DeleteRachel, you've done it again! Simply stunning! I love everything about the dress! So so beautiful! And Indigo is such a gorgeous child! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! That fabric is gorgeous and your piping is the perfect color!
ReplyDeletethank you, Elisa!
DeleteRachel, beautiful work! everything is so perfect, your daughter, the fabric choice, the contrasting piping and the length . You know lately I'm using more and more things from my stash, instead of buy, make it work! It is just trying to look the potential.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are exactly right! Sometimes I am surprised by what I already have after I do some digging! :)
DeleteIt sure is a pretty dress, I,love it. Indigo looks so good in it, a bit grown-up indeed. And I love the detail colour!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eva Maria. I totally lucked out with that one!
DeleteGorgeous fabric! Gorgeous Indigo! As always, Rachel, you hit it out of the park with this one. And previously I had thought I preferred the exposed zip finish, but I completely agree that this floral fabric lends itself more to the softness of the button loops. So cool that you are part of the pattern tour - lucky Willow and Co!
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry to hear about your fabric order snafu - such a bummer! I hope your package gets "un-lost" in the mail very soon!
Oh, and I forgot to add that I wanted to thank you for mentioning the length tweaks that you made. So helpful going into making this pattern to know that ahead of time.
Deleteyeah, i think you're right. they do have a softer feel. and i have a sneaking suspicion that my fabric was never sent out. they had no tracking number to speak of and it's been a month now. it's not looking promising. And regarding length - being Indigo is tall, I had a pretty solid run for awhile there of making things way too short. So I like the heads up on length, too! :)
DeleteOooh Rachel! Such a stunning Antalya! I've cut the pattern for mine tonight, and I'll be happy if my version will be half as pretty as yours...
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear An! I can't wait to see yours!
Deleteand ps you are not giving yourself enough credit. it is sure to be amazing!
DeleteWow. Rachel, this is just beautiful. Best fabric choice I've seen for this pattern yet. It's perfect. The rust shot cotton piping is spot-on perfect, and I love the different finishing on the back - so unusual and pretty. Wow. Just wow.
ReplyDeleteIris is so lovely too. I love how you've taken on this new phase of sewing with grace and enthusiasm! The next thing we know, you'll be sewing for yourself! ;-) Seriously, I love reading your blog. Thank you for sharing your growth and challenges as well as the gorgeous final products.
It's GORGEOUS Rachel! That fabric really is like a work of art- but so is that pattern! It's so unique. I love the contrasting solid you used- so beautiful with Indigo's eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin!
DeleteSo beautiful -- the fabric, the dress, and Indigo!
ReplyDeleteHow perfect!
ReplyDeletegorgeous!! I love that you used piping and the button back... and I didn't do either of those.. perfect compliments for the tour today! This fabric is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Emily. And thanks for stopping by to see my tour contribution. <3
DeleteAbsolutely perfect Rachel! It's the first version I've seen of this dress and I don't really feel any other will beat it! I just bought some copper coloured fabric to make bias binding for a coat. If only we were neighbours I could have helped reduce your stash instead!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful dress. Well done.
A perfect pattern and fabric choice for a big little girl indeed :) From one piping love to the other - high five!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you "dress" your family! The dress is stuning!
ReplyDeleteKiss
Rita
Thank you so much, Rita! You are too kind.
DeleteSimply stunning! The fabric is so beautiful, and as always it's your attention to details that bring the whole dress together beautifully. Indigo looks so grown up and this dress is really age appropriate for her. I'm glad you mentioned the adjustments to length. I often find the dress patterns run a little shorter than I prefer. Once again, a beautiful creation you can be very proud of! Hugs Fiona xoxo
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! The choice of fabrics makes it so very delicate and airy. Great job mom!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress and looks great on your elegant daughter! I just bought that pattern but will make it in a more childish version for my four year old. Doing a little dress sewing stunt for her before she becomes all grown-up :) . Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds great! It is so much fun to sew little girls' dresses! <3 And thank you for the sweet words about my blog!
DeleteYou could have a look at Her Little World patterns for things that are a little different, a little more grown up, but still very girly in a good way. The newest ones go up to an age 12 (French sizing) but I've been making an age 10 for 3 years now and just adding length as my slim daughter just gets taller and taller. I've just made a first Acidulée and hope tk do another tomorrow - it's a really quick sew that one.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this suggestion, Alexandra! I will definitely check it out! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know... and for the heads up on the sizing as well. <3
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