The Arlington Dress

This post is part of a month long series called 'Pattern Makeover Month.' I took a simple a-line, peasant dress and 'made-it-over' into many different styles. For more information, go here.

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Do any of you have a Grandmother that was like mine and created AMAZING things

BY HAND?!?!

How did they have time for those fabulous hand embroidery pieces? But regardless of how they did it, I can't get enough of those hankies, doilies and embroidered pillowcases. And instead of just letting them fill up my already stuffed full studio, I figured they might as well be repurposed into something useful. And what is more useful than a dress for K3?

Okay, I know she is my baby and all, so I am a little biased, but isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen? Her hair is starting to get darker and OH how I am going to miss her white-blond hair!!!





Sorry. Don't know where that came from. Back to the tutorial. Pillowcases vary in size somewhat, but you probably won't find one big enough to make a dress in a size 5T. Of course you can always make a shirt. . . ;0)



When cutting out, do not use the curved bottom line of the pattern if you want to use the decorative edge on the pillowcase. Just cut the sideseam, connecting to the bottom edge of your pillowcase. Depending on the size of your dress, you may not have enough fabric to make the sleeves from the pillowcase. I found a vintage sheet that went really well with the embroidered pillowcase and used that for the sleeves. Otherwise, complete the pattern as directed.

This is another thrifty little dress! The pillowcase cost $1, with a few cents for the portion of thrifted sheet used, pattern cost (divided by number of times used) and a little elastic-- not more than a $2 dress!

Not bad.

Photos by Brooke Reeves Photography

(all the good ones are!)