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How about the same way as the Fairy Tale dress is sewn?

http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/a-christmas-fairy-tale-tutorial-part-i.html?showComment=1358649417151

I have a few photos here that may help.

PS I have not sewn the Library dress *yet*

I have made a few baby boy Sketch book shorts, utterly adorable but they were a bit firm for a chubby babies neck. The Music Class would definitely be roomier.

This jacket is quite roomy, my daughter is 11 or 12 in this photo and you can see it fits nicely still.

The sleeves are good and long too as they fold back on themselves in a deep cuff.

Thanks for the suggestion, Reeni. This is supposed to be a surprise for her and my DD is clueless about sewing (by choice). I might manage to borrow and measure a well fitting jacket, but we’re not there that often, and it would definitely not be able to do it secretly. As to asking my DD to do it, she’s so allergic to tape measures, she bal…[Read more]

Can you finish the bottom part of the armhole as a unit (either bias bound or facing) before sewing to the front and back yoke? Kind of how you would do the BB dress with a partial cap or flutter sleeve, or the Butterfly blouse. Then the front yoke would be self-finished and lay over.

You can just make the Sketchbook collar stand narrower (trim about 1/3″ on bottom edge where it sews into the neck) so it folds down more/lays lower onto the shoulder? The music class shirt is a nice sew, though, and doesn’t have the stand part at all.

Thank you Nicole and Reeni. These are great ideas! I have made the sketchbook for my little boy, but I think the collar stands up more so for a teeny 17 months old, buttoning up will completely cover his neck.
I don’t have the music class pattern yet and I’m thinking of getting it…but it looks like the collar is shorter?

Do you have a jacket that fits the way you/she likes? I suggest measuring that to compare. Keep in mind that a jacket goes over other sleeves, so more room in the armholes is better. Maybe add 1/2 inch in length a few inches down from the shoulder in the bodice, and the sleeve cap to match.

The music class shirt on little boys is cute, especially because the gathers allow for baby bellies. But the Sketchbook has served me well for many many iterations, and making it short-sleeved with the collar is that pic exactly. You can also do Peter pan collars on little boys as long as they are low enough on the chest to button all the way up.

I’ve never made this pattern before, but this link might help/give you some ideas-

lemon drop dress

Kristin made a couple alterations to the pattern, including making it sleeveless.

@MaggieH absolutely nothing wrong with slow sewing. Far, far better to have one good dress than half dozen rushed, ‘okay’ versions.

I will keep a look out for it and I am very keen to see your lace version.

Perfect your skills and pattern and you WILL have something you can see up for that last minute invite.

Good luck

xx Nicole

Thank you for checking in, @motherof5 ! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to proceed yet. I’m a student and have a lot of homework, so my sewing has to happen in small increments on the weekends. Hopefully I can get a little more done this weekend, though! After this version for myself I’m planning a roller skate in lace for my best friend’s…[Read more]

I would have definitely put this on my boy.
For up to 2 years I would make it as it is. (2+2 blouse would be adorable too) after that age I would consider leaving off the tucks and trimming the excess from the side and front to match the yoke.
I would keep the width at the sides for a chubby boy or trim the side too for a slimmer child (drafting a…[Read more]