She doesn’t like calicos because she says they’re too babyish. She doesn’t like vintage things because she says she’s more of a modern girl. She likes pattern and doesn’t mind flowers necessarily but they have to be done in a particular way. She has one shirt that is actually a little flowered button-down but she wears it unbuttoned and over a t-shirt that says “Ice Cream 4 Breakfast, Donuts 4 Dinner.”
A few weeks ago, we sat on my bed and looked through dress patterns together online. After saying no to just about everything, she told me I should just figure it out myself at the fabric store. (Obviously someone doesn’t like thinking about clothes as much as someone’s mother does.) I settled on Simplicity 2715 and chose a vibrant fabric for the yoke and navy cotton for the rest. When I got home, I pulled everything out of the bag excitedly and she said, “If you say so.”
I am not, however, easily discouraged before starting a project. I may be the first one to throw something in the trash after I’ve made it, but you cannot tell me that the new thing I am about to make is not going to be the cutest thing ever!
As I started putting it together, I could tell immediately that this was not the dress for Arden (I know!). The navy reminded me of a school uniform (cute!) but the crazy yoke was much thicker once it was lined and interfaced, and it seemed a little stiff. The ¾-length sleeves looked frumpy and she was already complaining about them. I thought it was destined for the trash but once I pinned it in a little bit, rolled up the sleeves into smaller cap sleeves, replaced the big zipper in the back with a tab and button — I thought it was pretty cute. She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Sure.”
She graciously let me take pictures of her in it and though she has agreed to wear it for Thanksgiving, she said she’d rather I make her a prairie skirt to wear on Christmas.
I'm sure it will be the cutest thing ever!
