I apologize ahead of time for the ridiculous onslaught of pictures in this post. Prepare to be bombarded.
Here are all our Easter pics plus more shots of and details about the updated Infinite A-line Dress Pattern! Check them out!
Aren’t my boys so darn handsome?? Yes, the two-year-old DOES have a shiner (don’t ask) and yes, studly Toby DID do his own hair. What tipped you off?? 🙂
My parents’ 13 grandkids (actually, since my baby sister just had another one, there are now 14 grandkids…of which a full HALF are the fruits of my loins. How did I GET here?!?)
Did I mention that 11 of these kids are age 5 and under? My parents are such suckers!
My Easter dress came out a bit more little-girly than I had anticipated…I’m thinking about shortening the skirt and adding cuffs to the sleeves to toughen it up a bit…but it is really comfy and fun to make so I love it regardless! Pattern is McCalls M6696 (which I also used for this shirtdress in a larger size post-baby Marilyn) and the fabric is this stretch gingham from Joann which is fantastic.
Now, for the pattern updates! It’s been almost a year since I released my first pattern, the Infinite A-line Dress for little girls. I have loved sewing it up all this time, in a crazy variety of fabrics and styles…for me it does just what I wanted it to: gives me the basic framework for just about any little girl’s dress.
But I knew it needed an update. I’m pleased to say that it now has a much better fit, the instructions are more intuitive with a better flow, I’ve changed the placket instructions to a simpler way of doing things and also included infant sizes down to newborn! Oh, and my personal favorite update: no-trim pages. That’s right…all my patterns are now ready to tape together the second they come out of your printer; no more cutting off margins. SO much quicker!! I also combined the front and back pattern pieces of both the full dress and the empire bodice so we get to save a whole bunch of trees 🙂
Vivian’s version (above) is often the favorite among my testers. It includes a bodice ruffle/flutter sleeve that is to die for! Bonus: you can add any sleeve to this version (it’s adorable with long sleeves under that ruffle) and a skirt ruffle if you choose.
Juliet’s version (above, in front) is the quickest by far! A simple A-line silhouette, it’s fully lined and you have the option of cap, short or long sleeves. I knew I wanted to add exterior pockets on Juliet’s, with the stripes horizontal instead of vertical like the rest of the dress. They still needed something else, though, so adding on this chartreuse bias tape gave it a fun pop!
This is the back view of Kira’s dress: the basic empire waist version with cap sleeves. One of the major modifications to the pattern was getting a closer fit in chest/belly of the empire views. To do that, I changed the placket to extend into the skirt so that our little ones can get it on easier. The instructions for this placket are SO much simpler than before! No need to be nervous about this button opening, even if you’re a beginner.
Marilyn’s dress (above) is a variation of the basic A-line (like Juliet’s) only with an added skirt ruffle. Hers also has cap sleeves and a single button keyhole closure in back (even simpler than the placket!). The infant sizes of this view have more room in the chest area to allow those chubby little arms to slip in and out without a fight. My next pattern hack for this view will be adding some pleats in the front neckline area…it’s gonna be so cute!
I just love this little series of pics of these two sister-bffs. Kira grabbed onto Juliet as she was slipping off the curb…Juliet grabs her and Kira’s headband slips over her eyes. Then they both get a good giggle out of it. These two are just the cutest together! (Meanwhile, Kira’s twin, Vivian, and her toddler brother Finn, team up up to wreak havoc on my house the likes of which mankind has never known.)
Get your updated copy of the pattern HERE! And sign up to get the latest tutorials and sewing goodness in your inbox!
And check out these adorable gingham pinafores I made by hacking this pattern! The full tutorial for this variation is here.
16 Comments
Emily
April 8, 2016 at 4:30 pmSuch a gorgeous family! Love the outfits!
Bonnie
April 11, 2016 at 5:26 pmThank you, friend! 🙂
Hildi Regier
December 31, 2020 at 11:00 pmI just saw your post and have one question: did you sew all of your kids clothes, the boys as well? Awesome job!!
Bonnie
January 2, 2021 at 4:21 pmWhy thank you! I actually just sewed all the girls’ outfits here 🙂
Kristie
April 8, 2016 at 6:16 pmLOVE those dresses. My only problem is I have a nine year old! She is kinda scrawny, so maybe I could hack it. But those dresses on your girls are fabulous! Thanks for sharing.
Bonnie
April 11, 2016 at 5:25 pmYou totally could, Kristie! It’s really just the chest measurement and length that might need to be altered and both are easy enough. Check her measurements against the chart and if she’s close to size 8, you could easily make it work. In fact, I’m thinking about doing a post where we talk about how to hack any pattern…that might be helpful for you!
Springing for shirtdresses
April 15, 2016 at 10:43 pm[…] outfits like this that are easy to reveal myself in (ha!). In short, I love these things (like my Easter dress and the blue striped version!). Is anyone else a huge fan of the button-down […]
Heidi
April 18, 2016 at 12:53 amVivs is killing me with those curls!! Too perfect!! And Kira’s dress is my favorite. Your dress doesn’t look “little girl-y” it looks “fun retro chic”, and you are adorable!! And Finn!! I just love that one! All your kids are perfect, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise (“anyone” being yourself, around bedtime, most likely!!) Also it’s 1:00 am, so don’t judge too much if this comment rambles on….
Megan
July 11, 2020 at 1:29 pmI’m newer to sewing, but would it be fairly easy to alter these to not need buttons for like a jersey material dress, so it could just slip on?
Bonnie
July 20, 2020 at 3:04 pmSure! As long as it’s stretchy enough to pull over your little girl’s head and arms, you wouldn’t need an opening.
Lara
April 19, 2016 at 8:47 amOh my gosh your family is so adorable! You are amazing to make all those dresses. Totally impressed!
Bonnie
April 19, 2016 at 9:14 amAww, thanks Lara! I’m not quite sure if it’s impressive or just psychotic 😉 haha!
Stacey
June 11, 2018 at 2:00 pmCan you tell me what the best fabric is to use for this pattern. I am wanting to sew with a lightweight cotton.
Bonnie
June 11, 2018 at 3:23 pmHi Stacey! A lightweight cotton woven would totally work. I’m a fan of quilting cottons, cotton lawn, linen, etc for this type of girls dress or any sturdy special occasion fabric such as satin or brocade. The full list of acceptable fabrics is included in the instructions for the Infinite A-line Dress 🙂
Sallie R Ferguson
March 30, 2020 at 6:21 pmHey, not sure if anyone checks this but how much fabric would I need for a size 8? I would like to make two….a size 8 and a size 3. I’m stuck at home due to covid and want to make sure I have enough fabric on hand before I purchase this
Bonnie
March 30, 2020 at 8:53 pmHi Sallie, depending on what style you make and the width of the fabric, you’d need between 3/4 yard to 1 5/8 yard for the size 3 and between 1 1/4 yard and 1 7/8 yard for size 8. I’ll email you the yardage chart!