Testing Grace, free baby dress

Griet, the talented woman behind the blog "Emma en Mona" is about to release a new pattern, the Grace baby dress. This FREE dress will have three sleeve options, sleeveless, ruffle sleeves or folded sleeves. The folded sleeves instructions were not finished yet, but I particularly loved that version, so I just winged the sleeve (based on the example picture).

Griet frequently hacks patterns, she regularly comes up with a new take on her existing patterns (she wrote two inspiring sewing books), and as you might now, I also like a good hack. So, I asked permission to adjust this pattern while testing. I opted for a fuller skirt and switched the closing buttons to the front. My little one loves to dress herself, so I assumed she would love to practice with buttons.

I used a Michael Miller fabric that I bought at Modes4u. It was one of the first designer fabrics that I bought and I didn't realize the black leaves line would actually be on the fabric (I did notice them, but naively assumed that it was some sort of watermark. The fabric was on sale and very inexpensive and just put it with my other fabrics in the cart. When it arrived I just put the fabric in my stash, because I couldn't imagine a garment with the border graphic on it.

I am very much trying to decrease my stash fabric and looked through it thoroughly when I started this dress. My eye fell on the strange border fabric and I immediately saw a dress emerge before my eyes. I would use the border as the bottom of the dress and for the sleeves. I am very satisfied with how it turned out!

I was very determined this time to use true buttons and button holes (I finally got enough confidence from sewing my Domi's). But when I actually had to start my holes I realized that my youngest is used the snaps and will probably tears real buttons from the dress in her enthusiasm. Therefore, I again used snaps, the smaller T3 snaps this time. These open easier, so they lower the likelihood of tearing the fabric. This particular snaps have a small flower engraved on them.

After sewing my first blind seam on my Nina skirt, I haven't looked back and have only sewed blind seams since. I just love the look. I used black thread for this one and stitched in the leaves. The seam is totally blind this way. Speaking about neat finishing quality, did you see the continuous print on the bodice (I forgot to do the same for the skirt).

I added side seam pockets (not part of the pattern), but I forgot to show them to her before I showed the buttons. She loved the buttons and immediately undressed (this will happen often in the beginning, but I think she will keep the dress on after a few times). I didn't have much time for the shoot, because the sun was already coming over our garden fence, so I do not have any pictures of her with her hands in her pockets. I am sure she will love them to, but now she was over the moon with the buttons.

The dress is still in the testing phase and I do not know when the pattern will be released.  She, she and she already showed their tested versions. The pattern is FREE and the sizes range from 2 months (62) to about two years (92). You now have a new perfect baby gift pattern, and you can find it here.

I love to hear what you think of my creations. Feel free to leave a comment in the language you prefer (although Google translate might have to assist me if you choose something different than English, German, Dutch or Hungarian).