Drop-Waist Knit Dress

  My oldest niece celebrated her second birthday in April. I'd initially planned to make a simple graphic tee for her, but it sort of evolved!

  As the only little girl in her house, she is definitely the princess of the family, so I designed a little crown and cut it from silver heat transfer vinyl.

   For the base, I used fuchsia knit - the same knit I used in this outfit. I decided to add puffed sleeves to the envelope-neckline bodysuit pattern that I've used before (but in a size 2T this time). I also cut the bodysuit portion off at the hip, and added a double-layered gathered skirt, and ended up with this!

  I used metallic thread for the twin needle stitching on the binding, and bulky nylon in the bobbin:

  I shirred an inch above the hem of the sleeve using elastic thread and metallic thread. I decided not to go all the way around the sleeve, because I think it might be more comfortable under the arm this way, and doing it the other way seems to make some pulling in the armscye.

  I used the metallic thread in the upper looper only while doing a serged lettuce-edge hem.... it was really finicky, and isn't as even as I'd like, but it's a really fun effect! I also applied one of the hearts that was cut out of the crown near the hem of the top skirt layer:

  The other heart cutout was added to the back shoulder:

  I should have stabilized those skirt gathers with clear elastic before sewing them to the bodice, but I'm a bit short on clear elastic.

  I really like this dress though! Hot pink and metallics are not my materials of choice, but I think they work really well here!

  Thanks for stopping by,