My matchy matchy girls…
I don’t usually encourage matchy matchy when it comes to my girls, but I couldn’t resist making them these similar dresses.
The Melanie Knit Dress by Modkid is a pdf pattern which comes in sizes 2T-10. I made Miss A a size 5 with the length of a 7 and a straight size 5 for Miss B. The fit is spot on!
The first time I saw this pattern (thanks for the inspiration Lara) I knew it would be a perfect pattern for my girls. What’s not to love about a knit dress with feature pockets?
The side panels in this pattern allows for – okay, they actually screams – pattern matching. For these dresses I specifically brought lovely Lillestoff knits (95% organic cotton & 5% elastane) from The Drapery and I’m super pleased with how they turned out.
In my opinion, the fun designs and quality of European knits are worth the price tag they come with. It’s also good to remember that these knits come in really wide widths, so you don’t need very much to whip up a kids t-shirt or dress.
The neckline is drafted to be turned under 1/2 inch and secured with a twin needle. I much prefer adding a neckband, so I cut down both the front and back neckline by 1/4 inch, added a neckband in the contrasting fabric and top stitched the neckline with a twin needle. As one needle sews on the neckband and the other on the dress, I used different coloured threads to match each fabric, which made me feel rather fancy!
Pattern: Melanie Knit Dress by Modkid
Size: Miss A = size 5 with the length of a 7 & Miss B = size 5
Fabric: Lillestoff Knits from The Drapery
Alterations: Removed 1/4 inch from the front and back necklines and added a neckband
Will I make more Melanie Knit Dresses? Yes, yes and yes! With our weather getting cooler (Hello Autumn) I expect it won’t be too long until I sew some long sleeved versions.
And if you’re thinking you’d like a dress like this yourself… check out the Lola Dress by Victory Patterns.
They look great. Get you twin needles with different coloured thread! My boys love the matchy -matchy look. Check out there matching trousers!
http://seamsoddlouise.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/trousers-for-boys.html
Not as cute as little dresses but they are still rather cool!
Thanks Louise. I saw your boys matchy matchy pants and they look great. I love it when my girls proudly wear and tell people “my mummy made this”. Your boys look equally as pleased with their pants. Fingers crossed for some more sunshine here in Melbourne so these dresses get worn before Miss A and Miss B out grow them!
They don’t look super matchy-matchy because of your fabric choices ( which I love btw). Looks like a really fun pattern! I could see making them for my nieces.
Thanks Joanne. The fabric is really fun and I don’t think you’ll see similar dresses elsewhere.
How delightful! As you know, my girls quite like matchy-matchy, and I bet that yours are very happy too with these frocks! I agree about the european knits too – the quality is very difficult to rival. Now you’ve got me thinking about making these with long sleeves for winter…maybe from some of the knits that I inherited from you!
I feel long sleeved versions are a must. They’ll have to wait until after the school fair… April sounds good!
They look fantastic Anna – and the girls look so happy with them. You’re right, it makes me want to sew a Victory Lola. They look so comfy!
Thanks Jane. I love love love the fabric. More of it please… (that was pretty please!).
Ooooh Lillestoff! nice!!
Beautiful dresses and perfectly sewn
Thanks Shelley. I fear that Lillestoff is going to be addictive.
Oh, goodness! This is far too cute for words! Epic work as always 😀 😀