Last year my Grandma sent me a copy of Needlecraft magazine from 1925. In it I saw illustrations of very simple children’s kimonos, and it occurred to me that it was time for these darling little “frocks” to make a comeback.
This is a simple version of those little dresses. The dress has an easy silhouette much like a little smock dress but with a more flattering fit. I think the shape is fresh and fun and leaves lots of room for your creative expression. You’ll see this in the next few posts when I introduce you to the many options you can select in this pattern.
All three views included in the pattern feature a unique one-piece yoke with a V-notch at the front neck and a button-loop closure at the back.
This dress is quite easy to sew since there are no sleeves or shoulder seams. Of course that means there aren’t a lot of pattern pieces, too.
We spent a good deal of time time researching the best construction method for this dress, and I’m really pleased with the result. The yoke is lined so the inside looks the same as the outside. The hem of View A is also made from two layers of fabric. If you stitch the sides of the dress with French seams, the inside of the dress will be as beautifully finished as the outside. I love including details like this that a good seamstress will appreciate.
View A of the pattern also includes pockets with a notched detail that matches the notch at the yoke.
For this pattern we suggest using light- to medium-weight woven fabrics like quilting cotton, broadcloth, lawn, shirting, poplin, fine-wale corduroy, silk taffeta or dupioni, and linen.
I made this version of the dress in linen and cotton last fall, and S wore it over a long-sleeve T-shirt with tights and a cardigan all winter. It looks great layered, so you’ll be able to use it all year long–not just during the spring and summer.
We’ve rated this pattern’s difficulty as two of four scissors. I can’t wait to see what you make with it! And I’m excited to show you Views B and C in my next post. Stay tuned!