party central: Simplicity 2320

Thanks everyone for your tips on ruffling and gathering - I'll definitely be trying them out because Anna informed me that the latest skirts are better than the other ones I had made her and all of the new skirts I'm going to make her have to be twirly.  She told me some time ago that the simple dirndl style skirts I had been making her from large fabric scraps were "broken" because they didn't twirl enough!

So as the post title suggests, we're on the party circuit around here which requires new dresses of course.  I wish I could say we've been going to glamorous 21st, 40th or even 50th birthday parties which need a fancy dress for myself, but unfortunately it's the 3rd birthday party circuit that we've been doing the rounds of.  Almost as fun, and instead of getting a hangover we get a quiet night because Anna is usually so exhausted from partying hard that she collapses in bed into a deep snooze.

Anna has been a little naughty lately, and even though she is really good with Toby and I've tried very hard to keep her normal routine I feel she might be feeling a little left out since his arrival.  Either that or she is just being her typical 'high spirited' self and a typical 3 year old.  But she is constantly asking us if we love her, which makes me think she does need some reassurance.  So on Saturday night after she went to bed I made her a new dress to wear to a party on Sunday, and we all know how a new party can cheer you up. I absolutely loved the way her face lit up when she saw the dress on Sunday morning - she was so happy for a little minute, and then she proceeded to have a tantrum because she didn't want to eat breakfast.  Ahh kids, they're so bloody annoying and adorable at the same time!

I made Simplicity 2320 a Project Runway pattern that has a few design options, which I've made twice before and knew the sizing was ok which is how I managed to sew it quickly without any need for fittings from her.  It's quite an easy dress to make, although sewing the square yoke on the front is majorly fiddly to get in without puckering.

I made this one from a stretch denim that I bought a while ago from the Remnant Warehouse for the bargain price of $3 for a roll of 5 metres, a floral cotton poplin for the yoke and some stretch cotton lace trim picked up somewhere or other.

Samina you were so right when you observed that Anna is being a much more compliant model these days - I might get a cheesy silly grin but at least she stands still and looks at the camera now! This photo was taken after we got home from the party hence the messy hair and bare feet but the dress remained remarkably mess free.

And now it's time to sew something for myself I think.  I've packed away my maternity clothes and have given my wardrobe a massive cull and cleanout so there's quite a bit of room for some new pieces.