The Professor and I were jolted awake at 5 a.m. Saturday morning to the screech of our 1970’s fire alarm. At random intervals the bone-rattling blasts assured that there would be no sleeping late. After dragging out the ladder and prying open the fire alarm, we resorted to calling the local fire department–which sent out a GIANT fire truck, and three firemen armed with gear. How embarrassing. 10 minutes later the firemen ripped the alarm from the ceiling and clipped the electrical wires.
Since I was wide awake, I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to sew. Why not?
Part of my time this weekend was dedicated toward fixing the horrible wreck of a dress that I created from Simplicity’s 2363 pattern . Because of the generous help of the online sewing community, I think that I *might* be able to salvage it. I’ll keep you posted.
My newest successfully finished project is a little gingham dress for one of my favorite two-year old friends. She’s dainty, very girly and looks like a little walking doll-baby. I can’t wait to see her in this.
Simplicity 2461 serves as the basis for this pattern.
After measuring the birthday girl, I cut a straight size two and used the contrasting Peter Pan collar option. Since I don’t have children of my own to serve as models, I always make sure to take measurements.
During my last measuring endeavor I managed to get my friend’s children all riled up. Within the span of twenty minutes, I made one dear child cry (he was upset that The Professor didn’t come on the measuring trip), I gave both the 2 year-old and almost 4 year-old ink pens and scrap paper- which of course resulting in one of them coloring on the carpet, and then the almost 4 year-old starting using my fabric measuring tape as a lasso (and almost took off his sister’s head). It’s amazing that the parents still love me. haha.
This pattern is lovely. It goes together easily and has wonderful details. I added rick rack in various spots- such as the collar and hem- to give it a bit of a pop. This will certainly be my go-to toddlers dress in the future! I would certainly recommend it for handmade gifts.
The Professor's Wife 
Your Mom is here and we see the beautiful dress. I am ready to get back to sewing. Love, NANA
Please don’t ask for the sewing machine back Nana! haha Perhaps we can make a deal!
Love you!
Did you add the rickrack before or after completing the collar?
I added the rickrack as I was constructing the collar. I sewed it to the right-side of one of the collar pieces and then enclosed it (wrong-sides together) when I sewed both collar pieces together.
I just wanted to leave a comment thanking you for such good photos of your project! I am making this pattern as my first-ever real project from a pattern and couldn’t figure out step 14 with the bias tape — seeing how you did it makes it much clearer! Thank you!!