Dachshund Dress

I found this amazing "fabric" at Old Navy about 6 months ago.  I say "fabric" because it was actually a knit shirt, found on the clearance rack.  I snapped it up because it was adorable, with tiny little dachsunds running all around on a grey background.  I threw it into my fabric bin and waited for a perfect pattern for which to use it.  Well, I found it, in the Blue Ribbon Winner by Little Lizard King.  A perfect combination of woven and knit, it was a great way for me to challenge....me!  I decided to make this dress using only fabric that I already had in my stash.  I am happy to say that I am pleased with the result, as is little Miss Smunchie!


This was my first real forray into the world of knits.  Knits have always frightened me.  They're stretchy and intimidating.  I'm happy to say that this pattern made the work fairly easy.  I did "cheat" and use the cuffs from the long sleeved shirt as the short sleeves on the dress but hey!  It was already hemmed all nice and neat.  It seemed a waste to not use them.


The collar was a bit of a challenge.  Truth be told, I got this dress done up all nice and pretty, only to find that I hadn't made the collar stretchy enough to fit over Smunchie's head!
After the second go around, I got it fixed but the collar does seem to "roll" a bit.  I have read that this a problem with the technique in the pattern, so I'll have to keep experimenting to find the right method.

The sash is woven, as are the tie backs.  I like the bow in the back but I think that for an everyday play dress (is there any other kind of dress when it's for a two-year old?), my next Blue Ribbon will have a knit band.







I opted to forgo a ruffle on this dress.  I like a cleaner look on dresses, so the bottom band was good compromise.  I love that this pattern includes options for all kinds of dresses (bottom band, ruffle, no bottom accent, different sashes, three sleeve lengths).   In the future, I will likely lengthen the dress a little more so that it hits below the knee farther.  But, I can't blame the pattern for that.  I cut out pieces when my model was asleep.

The pattern also includes pieces for an appliqued pocket.  But, again, I prefer a cleaner look.  So, I mashed up the pockets from the Fawn Lily Dress, from Willow and Co, in order to make simple in-seam pockets.  Smunchie doesn't feel a dress is complete without pockets and I am happy to oblige. What does a two-year old keep in her pockets, you may ask? Well, band-aids, of course.

All in all, this pattern is a winner in my book.  The options make it easy to customize and I think it will become a wardrobe staple. It's a great dress for running, jumping and in general, a great dress for just being two.