For my nieces

My brothers and I do a gift exchange each Christmas, and we always give to each other's children. It's easy on my side of the family...I only have two nieces (so far)! My darling sister-in-law gave me a few suggestions: a winter dress for the youngest and a dolly and me outfit for her older girl.

For my darling two year old niece, I used this fun striped pinwhale corduroy fabric.  I'd purchased it to make a dress for Dolly, then realized she didn't need another winter dress.  

I used a vintage sewing pattern from my mom as a starting point.

I loved the bodice of the dress, and just shortened the long version of the skirt, along with shortening the ruffle at the bottom.  The sleeves were a bit too puffy, so I made the sleeves slimmer, using an Oliver + S pattern to guide me.

The little placket I designed myself.  The pompom trim is vintage from my great-grandmother's belongings, and I also used some for Dolly's birthday dress.  I sewed it to the dress before I sewed the dress lining on.

I also use a different pocket design, following Dana's Market Skirt pattern as a guide.  I fully lined it like I did with my daughter's skirts that I made a while back.  

For my kindergarten age niece, I made a pillowcase nightgown with long sleeves.  I used a size five long sleeve shirt as a guide to cutting the sleeve length, and used the same pattern for the top of the sleeve.  This was my first time actually making the pillowcase nightgown in this size, and I was relieved it fit...although it was a bit big in the waist.  The fact both garments are striped was pure coincidence.

The jumbo ricrac was the perfect touch.  I just basted it in place before I finished sewing the bias tape over the waist seam.

I used the smaller scale fabric for the bias tape because I also made a tiny doll size nightgown!

Didn't it turn out cute?  Don't ask me for a pattern on this one.  I custom made it for a doll my niece was getting for Christmas...and it was a hodge podge of 3 different patterns.  I'm just grateful it fit the doll!

I'm still amazed I got these finished before Christmas.  More than anything I'm so glad the girls (and their parents) were happy with their gifts.


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