Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Bunnykins Dress & Big Brother Easter Wear



I thought I wouldn't have to make or buy Easter outfits for the kids this year.  I was feeling SO confident about it too.  I was sure my little lady could wear the dress I made for her last year:

and my guys could wear these appliqued t-shirts from 2yrs ago since they still fit:


But of course, making that assumption, the dress (which was extra long last year) was too short when she tried it on.  Ugh.  So an unexpected challenge was thrown down.  Then I saw this purple bunny fabric on sale for 60% off and figured it was a sign, so I came up with my Bunnykins Dress.


The base is a simple party dress design using pieces from one of my favorite sewing books: Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby.  I scaled them up to a 3T and used a few of my own shortcuts to save time putting it together. 


The pinafore was my own design that I literally figured out as I made it.  I wanted to use this pretty embroidery design that came programmed on my Brother sewing machine (now that I've figured out how to use my embroidery attachment & have the right stabilizers for it).  I was so please with how it turned out - machine embroidery is so addictive!!


I used some nice quality muslin from my stash to create the pinafore and since I was adding embroidery on the front, I made the entire thing fully lined so it would hold its shape well and be a nice, crisp white.  I made it tie at the sides for some extra detailing and for plenty of adjustability:


I didn't want to wrestle with doing a closure on the back for what's essentially an apron, so I made it an over-the-head style:


I was so thrilled that this turned out as I imagined it.  When I was almost finished with it I stumbled across a very similar purple dress with embroidered pinafore online for $118! Other than the yard of the bunny print fabric I only used old materials from my stash, so this was ridiculously inexpensive - literally cost $5 from my wallet (and not counting this Mom's time to make it).  And by making it a bit generous in size, and using a big hem, I'm sure this one can get multiple years of wear:)


Of course after I finished the dress I kind of felt bad my guys would have to wear the same thing a 3rd year in a row.  But being older boys (ages 6 & 9) means super cutesy Easter outfits don't quite work anymore and I just don't see the point of making boys' dress shirts or polos from scratch.  Too much time & materials for something so basic!  So I did some a quick embellishing to make these Dandy Gander polo shirts:


I used inexpensive, plain polos from the local mall and embroidered a small, custom colored duck with bow tie on each one:



Now they have something Easter-y, but not too precious looking.  I'm even doing one for my husband (per his request), so everyone will have some seasonal flair.  Now figuring something out for myself is another matter...
Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too - click HERE to check them out!

22 comments:

  1. So, so sweet, Cheryl!!! Love the purple fabric and the embroidered apron is just adorable!!!

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  2. I love the sweet pinafore and dress! It brings to mind how I used to dress my little girl--who is now 31 and married! Happy Easter.♥♫

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  3. That dress is so adorable! I love it!

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  4. Adorable! I love the colors. I'd love for you to link it up with us at Crafty Cousins!
    http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-i-wore-sunday-week-10.html

    ~Natalie @ Crafty Cousins

    Holla! We're your newest followers! :)

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  5. I love this dress! And I agree completely with you about the matter of dressing older-ish boys for Easter- the polos look terrific! =)

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  6. Oh my gosh this dress is adorable! I love everything about it! And good call on the boys shirts. I'm looking into a new machine and may have to bump up the wish list to one that embroiders since I keep finding projects like this... :)

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    1. I highly recommend the Brother SE-270D. Great machine for beginner or expert and a great price for doing both sewing and embroidery. You can find more info on it in a post it did here a few years back: http://www.sewcando.com/2009/06/oh-brother.html

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  7. Wow! I am so in love with this dress! Any chance you could come round my house and make my girls matching ones :P

    - Adele @ Mammy Made

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  8. You make such cute outfits for your little one!

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  9. How sweet is that little dress! I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

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  10. Hi! I saw your link on Adventures of a DIY mom. That dress is so sweet. Great job!

    http://sarahsworld-sarahsworld.blogspot.com/

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  11. So adorable! I wish I could sew. Seriously, I can't even sew a button on! Thanks for sharing at Handmade Tuesdays.

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  12. All of those Easter outfits are so adorable! Thanks so much for sharing at Beautify It Monday - We hope you'll come back next week!

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  13. Adorable! The 3 of them will look so nice for Easter. Love the embroidery, seems like cheating though doesn't it? Found you at Friday Fun Party

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  14. So darling , well done!! Hugs and thank you for joining the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

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  15. What a gorgeous dress and such cute embroidery too!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  16. Hiya babe, I featured you on my blog today. Would love for you to go and check it out and grab a button :)

    http://mammymade.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/mint-stuff-ive-seen-11.html

    - Adele @ Mammy Made

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  17. This is so cute! I love Easter dresses! Thanks for linking up to What I Learned Wednesday!

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  18. Thank you so much everyone! It's so wonderful hearing how many people liked this little dress - it was definitely a hit with the recipient too!

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  20. Wow Cheryl! You make great sewing projects, your an inspiration for me to start sewing. :) Thanks for linking up at friday fun party!

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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