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2.23.2017

The Oliver + S Hide and Seek Dress


Indigo is growing up! She will be 10 in April but is so tall many people ask if she and Jude (who is 12) are twins! As she grows, she is choosing to wear jeans, shorts, and tshirts more often.


This is fine, of course, except that I don't have any desire to sew jeans or shorts with zippers.  I don't mind sewing tshirts, with the caveat being that I prefer to do so when I can't find store-bought alternatives that I like.  This is mostly an issue with little girls' shirts, where there seems to be an assumption that all little girls love purple, pink and/or bling.



For boys and older girls, there are more options in neutrals and stripes, which my kids and I love best!


Indigo still enjoys wearing dresses, though. Since I don't sew for her too often anymore, I decided to go all out with this Nani Iro Five Senses Metallic double gauze. (I bought it from Harts Fabric but I think it's sold out.)  Also this dress  - the Hide and Seek dress - doesn't require as much fabric as you might expect because there isn't a lot of gathering.


It is truly spectacular fabric!  I am such a fan of double gauze in general and this double gauze is extra special!


I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to watching my kids grow up.  I've noticed online that people often express so much sadness about their babies and toddler growing.  When my kids were little, I used to find those statements a bit unnerving, like - is this as good as it gets?  I adore babies but that stage in parenting was also so tiring, demanding and all-consuming.  It's beautiful and precious, but also so hard.


But I have to say, I have really enjoyed every age we've experienced so far.  I feel like each stage brings with it its own unique sweetness.  It has been my greatest joy and privilege watching them grow.


They are so funny and clever with their own individual talents that differ from my own.  They make me laugh every single day, like really laugh. They are thoughtful and insightful. It's so incredible to witness, to be able to walk beside them on their journey through childhood.


It also brings me so much fulfillment to take photos of my children, trying as best as I can to capture the little (and not so little) people that they are.  Indigo is so natural in front of the camera and is always so willing to be photographed. It was actually Indigo's idea to hold the grass like this.  It's so much fun to follow her lead.


Indigo is creative and witty, assertive and kind, and so very free in being exactly herself.


 I think her name - and this dress - suit her perfectly.  My free spirited girl!



21 comments:

  1. Beautiful girl and dress and pictures! I need to sew this pattern! There is definitely something wonderful in each stage.

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  2. I love watching my kids grow up too! And I think teenagers are so fun and funny. It's like that's the point when we become good friends! Anyway, the dress and your sentiments are lovely!

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    1. That's so great to hear about teenagers! I hope that is the case for us as well! I still remember how hard it was being a teenager! So I hope I can at least be empathetic to the experience. All of those hormones, a not fully mature frontal lobe, the struggles and awkwardness of trying to be yourself under pressures, and just becoming an adult - it is no joke!

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  3. What a stunning dress - and girl! She is looking so grown up, and I'm glad she still likes dresses.

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  4. A perfectly beautiful dress, so lovely on Indigo. And I so agree with you about kids growing up. It's certainly a special time when your kids are very small, but it's also exhausting and relentless. I am loving the rewards of having older kids now. Mind you I have just now had to explain to my 14y.o. why I need phone numbers and names of kids he's going out with this evening, and their parents! New challenges :D

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  5. This dress is a real piece of art, as are your pictures and your post. You always write so beautiful and loving! My mom says that too, that she's loved every stage of growing we've been in so far. I think that is a beautiful way to think about having kids: as a privilege to guide them towards adulthood. You can't decide who they're going to be, but you can try to pass on your values and hope they'll make their own thoughtful decisions later on. From this point of view, even puberty which is a quite hard period as a parent, is a gift, since it is an important step on their way to independence. I am already looking forward to experiencing all these stages with my future kids!

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    1. Such a beautiful perspective! Thank you so much for sharing it! And thank you so much for the wonderful compliments! They mean so much to me - truly! <3 I appreciate you encouraging me on the journey! <3

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  6. Oh wow! Such a beautiful dress! And those pictures.... Somehow I often find myself saying that 'right now' really is the best stage. There is something special in every agenda. In hindsight even those toddler tantrum situations make me giggle...

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    1. The toddler tantrums! haha Having a toddler currently, it's hard to take them very seriously! I remember being so stressed out about tantrums when my first (Jude) was a toddler - like we needed to get them under control - and pronto - or I'd be raising a tyrant! Now I've learned that not giving in is really all you need to do. :) And to just stay relaxed and calm.

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  7. The dress is beautiful. The photos are beautiful. INDIGO, is beautiful. and your words - beautiful. You remind me so much of how I felt as a younger mom, though you express the feelings more eloquently than I ever could. Your children are blessed to have you as their mom.
    ~ Tracy

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  8. Gorgeous dress, beautiful girl, great photos and such thoughtful words.

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  9. That dress, those words, those pictures.... 💛💛💛

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  10. Rachel, what a beautiful dress have you made for your gorgeous daughter. This fabric is so special! The colours are perfect for Indigo. Your photos are stunning. It was the first photo that showed up in my IG first and it took my breath away. Other than admiring your sewing skills and photography I love reading about your parenting journey.

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  11. With apologies to Dickens, I feel like it is always the best of times and the worst of times when it comes to kids! :)
    This dress is stunning. I love this dress pattern so much and it's the perfect canvas for that divine fabric. Lucky Indigo. I would never have thought of adding the fringe, but it works really well. nice touch Rachel (high five)

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  12. I don't have any words today, but I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Exquisite.

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  13. My comment hasn't appeared? Oh well, I can't remember what I said but I'm sure I can say it was complimentary, witty and insightful ;)
    Actually I think I might have (mis)quoted Dickens, cause when it comes to kids it is always both "the best of times and the worst of times".
    Nice dress. (there were many more gushing words of praise you know)
    Now publish darn you...

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    1. Hi Shelley!
      Ugh I am so sorry I forgot to hit publish! I hate having my comments on moderation but I was literally getting 80-100 spam comments every single day for awhile which is why I enabled the moderation. And there is something wrong with my phone where it only displays 20 emails and then they disappear and I can’t respond to them from there. I am so technology challenged!

      And yes your comment was all of those things :: complimentary, witty and insightful! :D Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing! <3

      Have a happy weekend and stay safe on those bikes! :D

      xx
      rachel

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  14. I read this when you first published it on my phone, probably while at a meeting and bored out of my mind, LOL! So I didn't get a chance to comment, and have come back just now. Well, I'm actually glad I waited, because the comments themselves are so full of insight and humor, and I might have missed that otherwise!

    I love that little piece of fringe. The dress is very "boho" in the best possible way.

    I love the message of this post. It is truly a privilege to watch our children grow and to grow with them. My mom always says that kids are the "karma" we need to grow as parents and human beings. I think we have a choice to grow with our kids and let them expand our horizons, or shut ourselves off. It's not always easy to choose growth!

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  15. I feel exactly the same way about the girls growing up. I have loved every age so far and love to see their personalities grow 😄

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