Sewing

unicorn dress

I had seen Meg over at Elsie Marley use this Heather Ross fabric during her Kids Clothes week and just had to get some, her project was so cute.  So I made this dress for Natalie using a Japanese sewing book (ISBN 978-4-8347-2840-8).  {Purchased here.}  I loved the pattern.  I think it was one of the main reasons I purchased the book in the first place. 

The Japanese books still kind of intimidate me, but the patterns are too cute to avoid.  Update:  Here’s a great link with tips on using japanese patterns.

The one key to using the patterns is that you have to add in the seam allowances, luckily I remembered this time. 

Natalie loves the dress and it fits her really well.  I think it’s pretty comfy since it’s made with the soft double gauze.  I’m thinking I need to make a coordinating skirt for her little sister.

23 thoughts on “unicorn dress

  1. Beth says:

    how sweet!!! is there elastic in there or just the twill tape making it look gathered. am i foolish to try without a pattern?

  2. Amy says:

    Oh, don’t let Lily see or she will be soooo jealous!

  3. Amy Woodruff says:

    I have 2 Japanese pattern books that I’m trying to tackle! Happy Homemade vol 2 and another I don’t know the title but it’s the Heart Warming Life Series. Other than the seam allowance stuff do you have any tips??

  4. Anna says:

    hey beth, you certainly try doing it without a pattern, there aren’t a lot of pieces. And yes, elastic in the sleeve cap and around the neckline.

  5. Michele says:

    what a sweet little dress! you’re right, that fabric is lovely, very soft and feminine!

  6. Lawwife says:

    I would love that pattern book. DO you mind telling me where you purchased it?

  7. this is over the top cute! my daughter would love the pattern too! maybe i’ll try pajama bottoms … i corrupt anything with collars and sleeves..

  8. What an awesome dress. Where did you find the book?

  9. Chris says:

    Darling dress. I am hoping to get a Japanese sewing book or two for Christmas…I love the simple style. Great job.

  10. Lauren says:

    i would totally be frightened by the japanese sewing book!!! who am i kidding. i cant even follow an american sewing book in english. that is why i like and need people like you who post ideas, photos and step by step tutorials!!!!!!

    http://www.laurentrain.blogspot.com

  11. Oh that fabric is just so adorable. I’m not sure I could sew from a book written in a different language. The dress is so pretty!!!

  12. Amber says:

    Love the vintage feel of the fabirc! Very cute!

  13. Karin van D. says:

    So cute, the fabric, the shape of this little dress.. very pretty!

  14. Shirley says:

    So cute! My daughter would love this…but with mermaids…

    Very Darling!

  15. How sweet. My girls would love that one. Heck, I’d like one for myself.

  16. Andrea says:

    Very precious. I too love Japanese pattern books. (and matching sisters)

    Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com

  17. Jeannie says:

    That dress is totally adorable and you sew everything so well! No more little girls to sew for around here!!:(

  18. Sylvie says:

    This dress is perfect!
    I do love Japanese sewing book and Heather Ross fabrics, so this is just perfect! My daughter would LOVE this dress… I think I will copy you soon if you don’t mind ๐Ÿ˜‰

  19. oh how I long for a girl just so I can sew her pretty things!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    What a pretty dress! I just made the cargo messenger bag from your tutorial and I am in love with it! ( I just posted it on my blog, forgive my crummy photography skills!) Thank you for your awesome tutorials, I seriously love them all! I plan on making the gathered clutch as a birthday present soon and I am going to make my boys the bicycle baskets for their tricycles!

  20. Deidre says:

    I have been contemplating the idea of using some Japanese patterns myself, but always felt intimidated. Is it not as bad as I am psyching myself out to think it is? I LOVE this dress. It’s just so cute and the Japanese patterns are adorable.

  21. henny says:

    Hi Anna!
    Sorry, I haven’t been around lately. Busy with my new little shop for promoting since ther’s no sales yet ๐Ÿ™
    The dress is so cute! I think it’s very comfy too for me in sunny days ๐Ÿ™‚

  22. Anna says:

    hey amy, hmmm, since this is only my third time making stuff from a japanese book, I’m not sure, but here’s a great link you might find helpful: http://www.purlbee.com/japanese-pattern-drafting-tuto/2008/7/20/japanese-crafting-with-mari-drafting-japanese-sewing-pattern.html

  23. amy says:

    I just bought some of this print in green at my LQS. I wanted the blue but all they had was the green. I have several japanese sewing books but haven’t tackled them yet! ๐Ÿ™‚

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