zoo dress

Summer has been a busy time around here so I haven't been sewing as much and blogging even less.  I actually finished this dress about  a month ago.  Originally I bought this fabric thinking of a trip to the national zoo but we ended up changing our plans and this spring I decided to go ahead and use the fabric before she gets too old for it or too big to get a smocked dress out of two yards.

I debated using a few different patterns before settling on adding smocking to the skirt of the Olabethe Emily pattern.  I also made the skirt much longer since the pattern is for a top.  Its a great basic pattern though I used it or our brighter then the sun dress as well.  Who knows one day maybe I will make it as a top.

Since, these straps button at the back I made them extra long and put a deep hem in the skirt so that it will fit her as long an its big enough around.

Here is a close up of the smocking.  I did use a plate but its really simple just like I like it.

She's worn it a few times so far so hopefully she will keep wearing it.  I'm pleased at least.  As much as I like dresses with lots of smocking I also really like ones like this with just a little bit to add some extra detail.