Sewing: Easter Dresses 2014

Easter seemed so late this year (but I barely made it with the dresses anyway). And the lateness meant it actually looked like Spring! It was so beautiful and green. And it seemed everything was blooming! So I took a lot of pictures (fair warning!)....

Sewing Easter dresses is one of my favorite traditions for the girls. My mother always made me a new dress for Easter so I love doing the same. I know a dress is unimportant when it comes to the significance of the day, but it is still nice to have something brand new and beautiful for Easter Sunday--it's a symbol too of rebirth, just as are all the blooming things.

I decided to use a bright preppy color palette this Easter: green, pink, yellow and white.

I was so excited about this patchwork cotton fabric with the rick rack trim I found at Joann! Scarlett loved it too. I used my Apron Wrap Dress pattern to make her dress and my upcoming Romantic Dress pattern to make her white dotted Swiss batisteblouse. This blouse is tunic length and pretty awesome on its own. I hope she'll wear it over some shorts this summer.

I haven't taken pictures of the girls with their bunny baskets before. I'm glad to have them. Audrey's Nana gave her this plush bunny Easter basket for her first Easter and when Scarlett was born I found one for her, and purchased a third for Tess when she arrived. Identical baskets makes it easy. They love playing with them and the Easter Bunny always hides them after filling them with chocolates and Peeps on Easter morning.

Matching baskets but coordinating dresses. I am trying to sew more specifically to suit their individual personalities. Audrey's dress is a new pattern I am really excited about and hope to finish up soon (right after The Romantic Dress, of course!): The Sophisticate Dress. It has generous pleats around the neckline and a simple sheath shape. I used white piping on the neckline and bracelet length sleeves.

It's fully lined, which makes it more comfortable and beautifully finished. Audrey was truly excited about it, which puts me over the moon. This tailored style really suits her. And she loves the "hound" aspect of the fabulous green and white houndstooth fabric I found on Etsy.

I included an exposed zipper in the back. I have been so partial to buttons but I love a zipper for this and exposed is so fun! I found this great gold metallic "fashion" zipper,which was just what I had in mind. 

Tess's favorite color is yellow so that is the color of her dress. This is another Romantic Dress. This may be my favorite version. I love the full, ruffled, three-quarter length sleeves.

I used this dotted Swiss for the dress and a bit of Heather Ross Briar Rose Calico Pink Floral fabric for the piping on the pockets and the covered buttons. I love this combination. The dotted Swiss is so lightweight and pretty, but it is a bit floppy for the neck ruffle. I think I could compensate by adding a bit more fullness. I'll have to play with that.

My three girls, and their bunnies.

(And their matching gold Saltwater sandals.)

It was a happy Easter. 

I hope you have been enjoying and celebrating this Spring with the traditions you love, whatever they may be. It's such a beautiful, optimistic time of year! There is such an abundance of things to appreciate and be grateful for. Enjoy them all!

(Easter dresses from previous years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)