Colorful Birthday Dress (Simplicity 1949)

I like to make my kids something special to wear in their birthday photos every year (it is getting more and more difficult to do with my son, who just turned 9).

This March my youngest turned 4 and here is her birthday dress for this year....

 

I used Simplicity Pattern 1949 with the 3/4 length sleeves.

 

 

This isn't the first time I did this pattern (Hand painted Earth Day Dress )...

 

 

But it is the first time I did the 3/4 length sleeve.

 

The pattern is easy to follow and came together quickly. The unique way the pleats cris-cross across the front are my favorite part of the pattern (it is easier to see the pleats in the solid color earth day dress above).

 

 

I like the solid color top and sleeves with the print on the bottom, it keeps the dress from getting too busy. I also sewed a large ric-rac ribbon across the bottom of the top yoke because I thought it needed "something" to add visual interest to the top half of the dress.

 

 

The back closure is 3 buttons, instead of a zipper, which I find easier to do.  So the dress didn't take long at all and turned out to be a great dress for spring.

~Jessica