bunny dress

if i was the type of person who named the dresses i make, i’m certain i could come up with a whopper for this one.

in case you’re confused, the above is not a name. it’s simply a statement of fact. here comes ellie cottontail. period.

the fabric is just the right mix of formal + a touch of whimsy: the staid trellis pattern punctuated with hopping pink bunnies, the bright turquoise and hot pink color combo.

it practically screamed TAKE ME HOME AND MAKE ME A DRESS! I WANNA BE A DRESS FOR ELLIOT!
who am i to ignore the siren sounds of fabric?

the front of the dress is simple.

deep box pleats for fullness, pom trim at the hem, and a bit of a scallop around the neckline keep it from being too simple.

but the back. oh the back.

i’m a sucker for a peekaboo diaper cover (like this one). it’s the only time in a girl’s life when a peek of what’s under her skirt is neither highly embarrassing nor extremely risqué. instead it’s just the right touch of vintage and a healthy dose of stinkin’ adorable.

oh yeah. i love it.

i cut a big open circle in the back bodice, and closed the dress with two chubby white buttons. then, rather than sew up the back skirt seam, i just folded over the two edges and hemmed them separately.

that’s it. just those two buttons are the only things attaching this dress. the skirt is split and i sewed four rows of pom trim on to the matching diaper cover.

and her little mini-rabbit-tail covered bottom is out there for all the world to see.

needless to say, i try my hardest to make her bend over as much as possible. we go up and down stairs (backwards, like any good toddler big baby)

we draw with sidewalk chalk.

can you tell i love this dress?
dress +
black strappy shoes +
ruffled socks +
white bow +
golden curls +
one fresh soft pretzel to ensure cooperation +
those baby blues…

that one curl there on the left? the longest one? that one’s my favorite.

= one completely smitten momma.

it’s these times when i’m sewing and i start cackling excitedly. yes, cackling. like a chicken. i call jeremy over—look what i just thought of! these are the times are when he looks at me and shakes his head. you’re having way too much fun with this, he says to me.

will i cry when this dress is done with, outgrown and passed along?

you bet your cottontailed bottom i will.

 

p.s. does anybody else notice the left hand? in almost every shot—she holds it out so…properly. like a little lady. ;) i didn’t see it until i was editing these photos. cracks me up.