Christmas Dress ’10

Laurel’s black velveteen dress and pinafore bib are finished, complete except for the hem. It was such a pleasure to plan and stitch this holiday outfit for her. Handling and stitching the goods for heirloom sewing just makes me say ahhhhhh.

Christmas outfits for Laurel and her brother need to be finished in time for family Christmas card photos. Then, they will be worn to The Nutcracker performance in early December. So the rush is on to complete Robert’s clothing. His shirt will be embroidered with a nutcracker.

The champagne Swiss batiste pinafore bib features the Sugar Plum Fairy design from A Bit of Stitch’s Mini Nutcracker Motifs collection. This is a really lovely design, very delicate. The motif below the dancer is stitched with 80 wt. Madeira Cotona, which makes the design very light.

I was almost finished with the bib when I noticed that the ballerina was not centered. How did that happen? I measured ever so carefully, I thought. But I’ll have to live with it now.

Ecru beading threaded with pink satin ribbon runs on either side of a delicate antique lace insertion. Wide pink satin ribbon ties the bib front and back at the side.

The English lace edging is patterned with a graceful bow.  It is joined to the batiste all around with ivory entredeux.The edging at the neckline is a smaller ivory edging.

The black cotton velveteen dress has a dropped yoke and banded sleeves. Three tiny pearl buttons are stitched onto the band for a break in the dark color.

The dress pattern is Hope from Children’s Corner.  I especially like the peekaboo bows on the sleeves and pockets. This versatile pattern was originally purchased to make a school dress for Laurel. But it certainly can do the job for any dropped yoke dress. It’s a bargain when so many variations are offered.

I love everything about Christmas. Making Laurel’s dress and pinafore bib certainly got me in the mood for Christmas sewing. While I sewed on buttons, finished the raw ends of lace and did the other handwork, I had plenty of time to think about all the other preparations and the boys’ outfits yet to be made.

Have you started any Christmas projects yet?