Patterns for children's garb - help!

[Aelynn of Georgina]

I am stuck.... I can't seem to find anything that my girls like. We are going to faire the first weekend in June, so I don't have a lot of time to make their garb. They want a celtic style dress (simple, lace up in front, open at the bottom to reveal a skirt/chemise) and chemise, but I have not found a pattern for one for children.  I keep looking to see if there's something I can adapt, but being barely intermeidate at sewing I can't "see" it in my head it figure it out.  My daughters are 8 and 10.  Can anyone help me?  What patterns have you used and how have you adapted them?   Any photos anyone can share? 

Cheers,
Aelynn

[DonaCatalina]

You might find what you can use here.

[isabelladangelo]

I think what you are describing is a Renn Faire "Irish Dress".  If you can find a bodice pattern they like, just attach about two and a half or three yards of material to it for a skirt.  All you need to do is pleat or gather the rectangle of fabric and sew that to the bottom of the bodice.  

[LadyShadow]

There is a link for a free pattern and instructions for a girls kirtle that you might be able to use or easily alter.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/stories/palacehighlights/AlivingTudorworld/Makeakirtle.aspx

This info was originally provided by another member on here and she did make this dress. 

[gem]

In addition to the excellent suggestions offered here, try looking *outside* the garb patterns. For an Irish-style dress, you should be able to find a basic girl's mundane dress pattern (like McCall 4432) you could alter (add grommets/lacing up the front, lengthen the skirt).

Here are some more you could try:
http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4432-products-108.php?page_id=486
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1788-child-separates.aspx
http://www.simplicity.com/p-2603-childgirl-dresses.aspx
http://www.simplicity.com/p-3656-child-separates.aspx
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1631-child-dresses.aspx

[Kate XXXXXX]

There is a link for a free pattern and instructions for a girls kirtle that you might be able to use or easily alter.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/stories/palacehighlights/AlivingTudorworld/Makeakirtle.aspx

This info was originally provided by another member on here and she did make this dress. 

I think it was Gem that pointed out the patterns, but I made the kirtle (and a smock).  It would be really easy to make it with an open skirt and an underskirt.  Here's mine again:

[LadyShadow]

Oooops.  Sorry Gem.  I remember some one had shown us this dress, just kinda forgot who 

[isabelladangelo]

Using a simple children's bodice pattern and a rectangle of fabric:


I made this about a year ago for a client.  The bodice pattern is my own but you can easily find something similar in any of the big three pattern companies.   It really is just as simple as pleating a rectangle to the bodice and sewing those together.

[Aelynn of Georgina]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!  You have no idea how much this helps!!! The examples and patterns...

Oh I knew if anyone could help me it would be you guys!!  I will let you know what I come up with and maybe even post pics.

[LadyShadow]

Yes please do post pics.