[Therese's Mommy]

Hi ladies! I am looking for a dress pattern that I could use to make cute knit dresses (like the ones at Gymboree, for instance). I am pattern searching illiterate (I can never find what I want), so can you give me some suggestions??

Thanks!!

Beth

 

[woodchick]

This might be too baby and not little girl:
Anouk

Also, have you checked out Ravelry ? There's a little waiting list but the pattern selection is endless once you're in!

 

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for the reply, but I think that my question was misleading. I want a sewing pattern for a dress that would work well with a knit fabric. Thanks!!

Beth

 

[woodchick]

Ha! I didn't even look at the forum! I saw "a dress pattern that I could use to make cute knit dresses" and assumed that it was the Knitting forum!

Sorry!

 

[orangefoot]

Ottobre is what you need I think. Beware though, you will be sucked into a world of tracing patterns and adding seam allowances just because your really, really want to sew the dresses you see!

Something like the dres on p12 of the magazine 1/2008 may be what you are looking for or the dress and top on p13 of 6/2008

 

[Mel L]

I love the Olivia! It is the last one on that page. It sews up very cute, and it has great twirl factor.

If you even look at Ottobre, start clearing off shelf space. You are going to need it! That magazine is my annual Christmas gift from my mom. I LOVE it, and it is such a great value!

 

[Roxy2007]

i second ottobre. you can get single issues from sewzannes or woolythread. both online vendors.

for free patterns, i think you can pretty much google "dress for toddler" or something like that and i am sure it will come up to someones blog with tutorial.

good luck

 

[frogger]

farbenmix's olivia pattern is great and easy to do.

if you want more of a HA dress, kwik sew has a pattern that looks like the playdresses.

 

[crbyard]

Oooh, thanks for the idea. I just asked my mom for a subscription to Ottobre for Christmas. Now I am excited!

 

[courtenay_e]

I think the kwik sew one, though, is only in the sewing for children book, that I can find (I have the book), though I don't think it's exactly like the hannah.

Here's a McCalls pattern that is similar (doesn't use buttons to open/close, but if you are a "sewer" you could make buttons instead). It's only for up to size four though.

This one here says "night gown" but is sized for knits and is basically the Hannah pattern.

This one here is almost the same style as a hannah (again without the buttons, *sigh*), probably the closest one I've found lately). It's out of print,though, so you have to buy sooner rather than later.

Hope some of those are helpful. I had one that I used for years for my dd...I think it was a McCalls,had the buttons and everything, but I don't see it any more...

 

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for the replies...now I am going to answer my own question

I did a search yesterday, I can't remember what I searched as my mind is totally gone because of lack of sleep, but I found this kwik sew pattern which is perfect! It has variations for all types of weather. Now I just wish it came in a smaller size as I also have 18mo. But for now, the 4yo prefers dresses all the time and now I can sew these for her.

Ok, I am an idiot, I just realized that this pattern is discontinued

Why would they discontinue such a great pattern???? How can I get a discontinued pattern (and not pay through the nose for it

)? I just did a google search on kwik sew 2708 and I don't have any good leads yet. Any other suggestions??

Thanks

Beth

ETA: I found it at Sew Baby for $11. That is more than I would like to pay, but with 2 girls it would definitely pay for itself.

 

[Mel L]

If you have a t-shirt pattern that you love, you could also cut it off a few inches under the arms. Gather a long rectangle of fabric the length you want and attach it to the bottom of the sewn t-shirt top. I have made a ton of play dresses this way!

 

[courtenay_e]

I've done a google search as well, and the Sew Baby site is the only place I've been able to find it.

BUT at least you can GET it!

 

[courtenay_e]

*sigh* I finally went up and checked the pattern I've been using. It's a discontinued one, Butterick 3268. The only picture I could find was on french (I think) ebay, but this is the one. It's a darned near perfect replica of the Hannah Dress, though. *shrug* Sorry, I was hoping that you could get it during one of JoAnn's 1.99 pattern days!

 

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks. I ended up buying the KS one on Sew Baby. I am still a novice sewer and have a KS nightgown pattern that is working well for me, so hopefully this dress pattern will be easy for me as well. That Butterick one is great, though. I just don't understand why they discontinue these great patterns. Oh well.

Beth

 

[jennlyn]

I love Kwik Sew, the clothes are true to size. Have you checked out their sewing for baby/toddler/children books? I know there are t's in there and they will show you how to convert to dresses.