Butterfly Dress for Aria

I made this dress for Aria back in December, but I forgot to take pictures of it. She was wearing it on Sunday for church so I took her out in the backyard and did a quick little photo shoot.

In October or November I stumbled across a sew-along for this Oliver + S pattern called the jump rope dress.

I fell in love with the pattern, but not the $15.00 price tag. I had bought the cutest butterfly corduroy fabric the year before but never ended up using it. I knew it would be perfect for a little dress like this.

So instead of buying the pattern I looked through some of my old children's patterns for something similar. I found this McCall's pattern that I had bought back when Michela was little but never used. I probably had bought it during one of those pattern sales and gotten it for a few dollars. I had to drop the waist, change the sleeves, add belt loops, a sash, and cute rounded pockets. I ended up with a fantastic little dress. Aria especially loves it's twirling properties.

I love that I didn't have to spend so much on a pattern, that I got to use up some of my fabric and pattern stash, and that I got to use some of my skills from my pattern making classes in college. And the smile on her face definitely makes me happiest of all.