I’m so excited to share with you today some of the cutest outfits I think I have ever made! This is the Ileana Dress from Compagnie-M paired with Meadowlark by Hawthorne Threads…and I think it’s a match made in heaven!
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Add in the Flappy Coin Purse by Wendy of SewKnotCrochet and we have vintage modern perfection, in my humble opinion…
Well, my girls are in love with this ensemble and that makes me pretty happy, too!
Compagnie-M has the sweetest vintage style patterns with a modern twist. There are so many sweet details and options in the Ileana pattern, it is really a treasure. For both of these dresses I made the regular sleeveless bodice, but the pattern also has the option to add cap sleeves. AND there’s a raglan sleeve bodice for a very different look.
Let’s talk details…and, boy, is this dress FULL of vintage details and options. For my oldest daughter’s dress I used Meadow in Jade from Hawthorne Threads Meadowlark collection. For a girl who loves wildflowers, this is the ultimate fabric for me. The colors and details in this print are amazing. I love it in this dress, but I would also love to make a quilt, pillows, or some valances for my home. I paired it with Thatched in Peony for all the details such as the full rounded Peter Pan collar, faux button placket, and drop pocket.
Check out the twirl factor on the full circle skirt! Once I’ve made a full circle skirt for my girls, there is really no going back…they cannot stop twirling in this skirt and I love the drape. I confess I prefer the full circle to the tedium of gathering a skirt…and when you combine it with the twirl factor, it’s a no brainer!
Not sure about hemming a full circle skirt? Bias tape is my new best friend! It’s easy peasy to hem a circle skirt with bias tape…it comes out great every time…and I find working with bias tape oddly satisfying. Is that a little weird?? Who’s with me here?
If you’ve never hemmed a circle skirt with bias tape, check out this great tutorial on how to do it from the Simple Life Pattern Co. blog.
Be sure to get the Single Fold half inch wide bias tape in a fun color of your choice for hemming a skirt.
For my little’s dress, I used On a Lark in Robin’s Egg, also from the Meadowlark collection by Hawthorne Threads. For all the details, I used Thatched in Blue Jay.
I used the little bow collar for her dress. We just love this detail so much. You could even make it pop a bit more with a contrasting color if you want. I used the same little bow from the pattern to make some impromptu headbands for the girls — the perfect quick and easy little accent! I used these nylon headbands for the bow.
Now, let’s talk about these adorable purses! I have had my eye on the Flappy Coin Purse pattern by Wendy of SewKnotCrochet for a couple months. I love how simple and sweet this pattern is. The original design is for a key holder (which I would love to make for myself), but I decided to add a strap and magnetic snap to make it into the perfect little girl’s purse.
I made the strap the same way you would make half inch wide bias tape, only you don’t want to make it on the bias (no need for a stretchy strap). Start with a 2″ wide piece of fabric, fold, iron, and sew. I found the perfect length to be 36″ long for my girls.
And these magnetic snaps worked great! The magnetic snaps are so much easier for kids than regular snaps, and I found them to be easier to install.
These little purses are so quick and easy to make, I could make one to go with each of their dresses, no kidding! Wouldn’t it be perfect for sticking a few little treats or small toys next time you head out? My girls were SO thrilled with these…they just made their day! They would also make great birthday gifts for any little girl.
Alright, so that’s it! I hope you enjoy these dresses as much as we do. If you decide to try it out, go grab your pattern from Compagnie-M and let me know how it goes! Tag me on Instagram or leave me a comment below. I would love to see it!
Happy Sewing!