Since my last make (
The Mother of All Plaid Coats) was so very involved I really wanted something a little less intense. This get-up is for my 19 month old. In Georgia our winters aren't quite as intense as they were in Kansas City so we really just need a little added layer here and there. Here enters my idea for a toasty vest to layer over long sleeve shirts. I've had lots of great experiences with the
Made by Rae Geranium dress which needs no introduction in sewing blogland so my thought was there has to be a way to take the basic bodice and transform it into a vest. So here's my remix of the Geranium dress into toddler vest.
For those of you who are interested in the way I converted the dress to a vest, here's a fast and dirty recap. From the bodice:
- I omitted the button overlap from the back and added one to the front
- lengthened the bodice
- curved the bottom front hem
- flared the side seams slightly at the hemline.
- Lastly, I added a crochet pocket just because I love the hand made look of it.
I also made the Pierrot top by Made by Rae patterns to go with the vest. I modified it a bit, lengthening and narrowing the sleeves and adding an elastic casing at the cuff.
The little houses are from
the Oliver + S blog.
I don't think I really need to offer much in the way of a pattern review since I think these patterns are so well known but they sew up quickly and predictably which is a plus. The fabrics for the vest were thrifted, the lining being from a flannel sheet. The top is a gingham from my stash (long ago purchased at Hancocks).
So far
Kids Clothes Week has been productive for me but that's mainly because I began cutting everything out last weekend and the baby takes a good long nap in the midmorning. Thank you baby G for knowing how much I need my sewing time and honoring the nap schedule like I knew you would :).
