Other posts on this project: I’m in Love with These Stof Dots.

I finished her dress! I used McCall’s M6541 pattern, but I just made the basic little pinafore dress with it. No applique or Ric Rac. This is the same pattern my mom used for a blue version of this dress last summer, and H is taller than the biggest dress size for the pattern now.

Because of the A-line shape I figured I just needed to make the biggest size and then grade the pattern so it was a bit longer.

I added maybe an inch on to the longest pattern length, and it’s a smidge long at the moment but I figured she’ll grow into it by summer. Maybe I’ll take the hem out and do it again 1/2″ or so shorter in June if it’s still too long. It may shrink a bit when I wash it, too.

I mean, I just can’t. This dress is everything I’d imagined and more.

I also learned to do some new techniques. I’ve done zippers and sewn on buttons doing aprons and bags and things, but I’ve never sewn a buttonhole or done a proper hem.

I learned about understitching, and where to stop adding it. I had to rip out some stitches to make the dress lay flat.

It does help with these big seams.

I’d also never done facings before, like at the top of this dress. Plus, a real hem!

I did a blind hem stitch and everything!

Buttonhole!

Squee!!! This was a great project to practice making clothes, something I’ve always wanted to do more of. She is an excellent model.