Hey, did you know that this week is the spring Kids Clothes Week Challenge? Technically it starts today, but for those of us who have to very carefully plan out our sewing time (hello toddler!), it may have started early with pattern tracing and fabric cutting and stacking up of prepped projects for maximizing the sewing time and output this week.
I may have also started the sewing yesterday, since my Mother's Day present was some semi-uninterrupted time in the studio with my sewing machine and an already cut project. 
I started with the Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress pattern as a quick/easy start to my week. Annika is a bit tough to fit with sewing patterns, so I made a trial version with a cute vintage fabric that I scored at the Knittin' Kitten for cheap. Yes. There's a fabric thrift store in Portland. For real. The light green is a tonal dot that sweet Cathy sent to me a few months back. I had Annika try it on before I put the button on the back, and she wouldn't take it off until bedtime so I think she likes it. Still need to sew on that button.
(note the deceiving patch of sunshine. our toes were squishing in mud to get out to that little step)
What I liked:
Liesl's patterns are very explicit and have all of the finishing details that make for a lovely finished product. It went together very quickly and without any construction issues. The details like the notched collar and pockets make a simple silhouette more special. I think it would also be cute if I left off the bottom hem section and made it into a smock shirt. We're planning to do a few of those for her.
What I'll change next time:
Annika has broad and sturdy torso, so the yoke ended up being too short. For version 2, I'll lengthen the yoke piece by about 2" on each side and decrease the body panel length accordingly. I think it'll sit better on her. She says it's comfortable as is, but I think it'll look better longer. If your child is narrower in the shoulder area than mine, the yoke should be just great. Time to dig out some cute fabric for the next one.
Up next:
another Oliver + S pattern (can you tell I made good use of the Bolt pattern sale?) for Kit. I'm making the Hopscotch skirt that's from the same pattern set as the knit dress I made a couple of weeks ago. If I'm particularly productive, I may make another one of those dresses too because they go super quickly. Then I'll do some fabric cutting tonight for later this week.
Happy sewing! What are you making this week?
