Smocked Sundress For Elisabeth......

I had so much fun making this little dress. I first thought it was destined to become a little babydoll top coupled with a sweet pair of teal capris. However, as it neared completion....Elisabeth said she really wanted it to be a dress.

The fabric feels like a really thin cotton lawn. It pleated up beautifully. I smocked it while sitting outside with the kids on a couple of sunny days. The middle part of the front is not smocked and over time it should puff out a little. I like how the front has a tailored look to it with the piping and the binding. See the teal piping???? That was going to match the teal capris.

When it came time to finish the back, the pattern called for elastic thread to be shirred by the sewing machine in rows across the back. After I thought about it for awhile I decided to place elastic thread in my pleater and pleat the rows instead. That way the back is still stretchy as if it had been shirred and I think it was quicker than the machine stitching would have been. I also used a 45" width piece of fabric to make the back fuller rather than the smaller piece that the pattern called for. Overall I think the dress is adorable. And to make it perfect....Elisabeth worn it the very next day....for the entire day. I'd say that makes it a huge success!!! (Especially since she had to pair it with a sweater because it was only about 55 degrees here!)