Sewing: CrissCross Smock for Tess

 

I just finished a crisscross smock and matching diaper cover for Tess. I love this classic pinafore shape. I'm sure you've seen many patterns for something similar. I used Butterick 5439, which I've used before--for a polka dot version for Audrey's first birthday.

Taking these pictures of Tess reminded me so much of Audrey when she was close to this age! We have a few pictures of her with a little red bow in her hair. There are some strong similarities but Tess is the bleached version! 

And looking so grown up all of a sudden! And pleased with herself.

But, what, you may ask, could I be thinking with this sort of outfit in late October? Well, I'd had it cut out for months intending it for this past summer and just didn't get to it. But I picked it up again in the middle of my gingham spree (see here and here and here) because I thought of a cute holiday ensemble for Little Miss Tess. So "layering" is the answer to why this and why now.

 

 

This crisscross smock will be a pinafore over a couple other things. It will be cute I think! But I couldn't resist taking some photos of Tess bare armed and bare legged and barefoot! And she can certainly wear it this way next summer, although maybe with a pair of shorts.

I love this natural linen! I used it for this Modern Farm Birthday Dress and these Double Layer Pillowcase Dresses, and I'm not finished with it yet! It's such a great weight and a great neutral, and though I love the idea of "no linen after Labor Day" I think this particular weight and color works even when summer is past.

 

I paired it with some red rickrack. I think this would be called "medium" sized. I was thinking of using the baby stuff but I was in a bit of a rush to be that precise. My favorite part the way this left strap turned out. The rickrack and button hole are perfect! Not so much with the other strap, but that's ok.

I used the MADE pattern for a diaper cover, which is darling and seamless on the backside. I didn't finish the side seams before I starting making the casings so I zigzagged along them catching the raw edges of the seam allowance and I rather like the result. A bit of added texture.

Tess was in such a great mood playing in her sister's room this morning that it was hard to be more selective with the photos and I just had to include these last two of her trying to put the lens cover back on the camera. Perhaps she is an assistant-to-be, or maybe she was just finished with her photo session!