Saturday Sewing: Birthday dress for Anna

I don't have high expectations these days of how much time I may get to sew.  So, I try to keep my projects simple.  The problem is that I really don't like doing sewing projects in small chunks.  It's not motivating at all!  So occasionally I just push through a project start to finish.  It's usually on a Saturday night, and it's usually much too late when I go to bed.  But when, on her birthday, Anna, who is soft-spoken and not demanding, said she wished she had a new dress to wear to church for her birthday, I knew I had to make it happen.  Even though I was speaking in church the next day, and even though I was preparing for another church event, not to mention a family reunion!  Not smart.



But, the dress got done, and she loves it.  I love getting into that completely absorbing project mode where time disappears and my brain is totally engaged.  It is absolutely satisfying to wrap up a project start to finish in a matter of hours without interruption.

I can't believe she is ten!

Dallin has become quite the comedian these days.

The dress is the Bateau Neck Top pattern, with shortened sleeves.  I used a size 10 because the fabric was a woven rather than a knit, but needed to narrow the bodice a little.  I also shortened the bodice and added a simple full skirt.  It's such a great pattern.  It sews up fast, and looks great every time.

We had a super fun backyard birthday party with her friends, playing games and having relay races and water fights.  It's such a fun age.  Love you Anna!  Welcome to the double digits!