a beach bubble dress

It seems as though suddenly the weather has shifted and it's really and truly spring! I've been finding myself in the basement often - sorting through the stockpile of thrifted and saved-for-later kids clothes scrambling to find shorts, sandals, and short sleeve shirts. Then figuring out where the gaps are, and planning some sewing. I've been looking for a comfy, easy-to-wear, simple dress pattern for Adelaide - something we can throw on over her swimsuit, that will cover her shoulders a bit, and be comfortable to play in, too. The new patterns at Oliver + S caught my eye, so I gave the Bubble Dress a go this week (I purchased the pattern at Sew Mama Sew).

The pattern is categorized "Advanced Beginner" which I think is pretty right on. There were a few things I hadn't done before (understitching, for example), or that gave me pause when reading through the first time. But the directions are clear and easy to follow, and I think these 'extras' make for a better quality garment. The pattern calls for a lining (I used a mid-weight muslin) which gives it a great weight, and the bubble - oh, I love that loose elastic bubble.

I used it with one of my all-time favorite prints, red-kerchief girl (which I also used on a shirt for her last year). A few colorways are still available at Superbuzzy here.

Miraculously this week, our last bits of snow have melted, and it was warm enough for our first real spring beach visit. Ah...it felt so good to be back. Adelaide happily sported her new dress, which she told everyone she made (she did help sew the buttons on, so yes, I'm happy to have her claim it as her own creation). It wore well, protected her sweet skin from the sun, and seemed just perfect for romping about, picking up and piling rocks, and rolling in the sand - all the important work of the beach.

So, let's see. About three more of these ought to make Adelaide's summer "uniform" official. Then, on to some shorts for the boys.  A sunhat or two. Oh, and sandals for everyone. How is it that they all need sandals this year? If only I knew how to make sandals.

Comments

[Maire Stafford]

Love the last picture, she is really growing up.

[Suzanne]

How funny! I just bought this pattern for my Lydia with the fushia lightening bug material. I hope mine comes out as nice as yours:-)

[Lindsey]

Sweet, sweet. The Oliver & S patterns are beautiful. And I love the shirt pattern from Girly Style Wardrobe that you made last year. I've made that one for my girl a couple of times. Now I just have to figure out how to make it for myself! Enjoy the return to the ocean!

[jessica]

adorable!

[leonine]

so cute!

[leonine]

so cute!

[Ram in the Thicket]

What a sweet little dress! I agree, perfect beach attire. I can't wait until our first trip of the year to Maine in June. I'd go now if I could ;o)

[Elizabeth]

This inspires me to just make or buy 4 or 5 sundresses for the summer and call it good! Love these photos. Happy Spring.

[Sher]

The dress is beautiful. I can't believe you are outside playing on the beach - so jealous.

[maya]

Oh my! That's the cutest dress I've seen in a while. As always, you make me wish I could sew.

[SierraMoon]

what a day !
It makes my (cloudy) day to see these beautiful photos at the beach & the blue sky(and yet I live on the Atlantic shores too) !
Adelaide looks so pretty in this lovely dress !
I love these patterns.
We have some nice similar ones in France. maybe have you heard about Citronille ?
If not it's here/ link below (go to "patrons" and then select "enfants" and fille/girl, garçon/boy, bébé/baby, ado/teen

http://citronille.ifrance.com/p_menu.html

[Qalballah]

I wish boy patterns were as adorable as the stuff girls can wear...

[Jodi]

Sweetness all around. :)

[K]

Yeah, cute boy patterns are few and far between. Especially after you get to the potty training age and Jon Jons become less practical.

[Siew]

Love the dress - however, am I the only one amazed to see you down at the beach - and boys romping around in the ocean while we just had snow out west last weekend? Makes me jealous!

[anilia]

What a sweet girl you have! Super cute as always!

[Meg Evans]

Love the dress! It makes me wish my girls were still that little.

I hear you on the sandals wish. My oldest has a large bag full of handed-down sandals--and somehow none of her old ones made it down to my younger daughter...she and my son were complaining loudly about big sister's new sandals!

Looks like it was a great day at the beach.

[Wendy]

I'd looked over those Oliver patterns and love them, but wish they had something for older kids. My 9 year old would totally wear some of those dresses. If only I could figure out how to make them bigger. (I can barely sew as it is, so expanding a pattern seems daunting.) After seeing how adorable it really is, I may have to give it a try, though.

[mel]

holy cow! when did adelaide get so grown up looking? i swear she did look that grown up in the last photos of her on your blog. it goes too fast!

[tara pollard pakosta]

that is so crazy cute on her!
and how crazy is it you go from snow to short dresses over night?! LOL!
tara

[Sarah]

That dress is too cute for words! I'm going to add that to my massive list of things I want to sew someday.

[Marcella]

Wow, are you all wearing spring clothes already or just preparing? Because I'm in Virginia and T-shirt days are still on and off,because of chilly,rainy days.

[Annie]

We made our first beach trip of the season last week as well. Feels so good!

[Mary Beth]

I love the dress and I love that we are getting to see the children's sweet faces more. How adorable they are.

[Julie]

Love those polka dots! :)

[Michelle]

Maybe you *can* make your own sandals:

http://www.crochetnmore.com./babysandals.htm
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTlacanau.html

But then again, by the time you were done, they'd probably need a larger size!

[Jessiica]

Oh!! That is SO adorable!

[thedoodlegirl]

I just LOVE it! That looks so fun. What a fabulous mama you are. :)

[ErinM]

Oh, I'm so envious of the beach and sunshine. I'm in Montana and it's snowing right now!

[Viv]

Oh, that last picture - she looks such a "little girl".

*sigh* they grow up so fast....!

[melissa s.]

That dress is adorable, and great job on the buttons, Little A!

[Janey]

What a cute dress. To think you can go to the beach in Maine this time of year how great. We go there every year, what beach are you at, the coast line looks familiar to where we are?

[Barbara]

adorable dres! I bet your boys would enjoy thi --> http://www.vegthreads.org/make-your-own-sandals/#more-73

[Barbara]

adorable dress! I bet your boys would enjoy this --> http://www.vegthreads.org/make-your-own-sandals/#more-73

[emilykristin]

ohhhhh, dear. good choice on fabric, too.

[Allison Fouse]

Oh mah goodness. Adelaide is getting so big!

[kosenrufu mama]

so nice the dress, perfect for the beach, you are right, i would like to be at beach too, but here in italy is not so warm ...

[Jessica]

This is good to know, I purchased the "Puppet Show Tunic + Shorts" pattern a couple of weeks ago but I've been too nervous to give it a try. Maybe I'll dig in this afternoon since we're being pelted with hail stones and can't play outside.

[Snakecharmer]

Your blog is such an inspiration to me. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your daily world and the amazing way that you are raising your family.

[MatchMomma]

Have you looked at DIY? The probably have a sandel pattern *smile*. Love that dress!!
:0)

[Liz]

What a perfect little dress for summer. I really like the material too. If you figure out how to make sandals I would love to see a tutorial or maybe the next book.

[asti]

Gorgeous, and thanks for alerting me to the delights of Oliver and S !! I feel my purse emptying......:)

[julie]

What an adorable dress... she looks so cute!

[Darling Petunia]

I love that fabric! How exciting that it isn't vintage and I can buy some! :-D

If it's sandal time, I suggest Saltwater Sandals made my Hoy. http://www.saltwater-sandals.com/ They're made in America and really cute and you can get them wet! Some styles are particularly retro looking. I wish they sold all the styles in adult sizes!

[Emily]

LOVE the dress! The "advanced beginner" directions produced a "professional" result. It's adorable. My mom (who can sew) and I (who cannot) are wanting to find a dress pattern for my twin girls (age 3) to work on together. This may be the winner. My girls are going through a dress phase so this is right up their alley!

Oh and I bought your book on Monday and have almost finished reading it. So many great ideas. I keep reading little blurbs of it to my husband. Congratulations on all your success!

[Zoë]

Goodness me Amanda, that dress is adorable!

[Molly]

adorable! That water has to be COLD.

[Laura Reaux]

That dress is SO adorable! I love the fabric you chose for it, too. I've only used my new sewing machine twice so far, so I don't think I'm ready yet (haha), but when I am... I'm going to try this dress!

[robinette]

what a sweet dress! i love those oliver & s patterns...I'll have to try one soon.

[Samantha]

I love that fabric! You like that pattern better because it's a heirloom quality pattern. They are always better. You should look here at all the beautiful patterns, and they are all heirloom quality. http://www.childrenscornerstore.com/patterns.html