Child Smock - Neckline Advice?

[Rosamundi]

Yay me . . . for the first time in 25 years I actually factually sewed something! I just finished a little T-tunic smock for my 20-month-old munchkin. (You'll see her at CORF.)

As you all know, however, a toddler is shaped like a muskmelon stapled to a beanbag. I cut a square neckline which fit nicely over her head and looks great, but her smock slips off one wiggly little shoulder.

I would like her - next - smock to be visible under a - forthcoming - kirtle/overdress with a square neckline.  Short of a) putting a keyhole in the back or b) going to drawstring/gathered/pleated style, any other suggestions for managing the neckline? Thank you very much!

[Kate XXXXXX]

To make a less visible opening than a keyhole in the back, lap one shoulder seam and either button it or use that very soft baby Velcro.

[Hoowil]

For my son, when he was about 6 months old, I did a gathered neck, and a front slit that reached about to his belly button. On the collar I attached a small white frog to keep the neck together, so that it wouldn't fall off his shoulders. At that point in his life, his head was bigger around than any other part of him. Worked fine for the one time he was able to fit into the shirt.
For the smock I used for both kids when they were tiny little ones I just used elastic in a drawn neck. You could also do hook & eye closers, or Velcro as mentioned, or an 'invisible' zipper.


I don't know how well you can see the frog on the second pic, but its there under his chin.

[Rosamundi]

Oooh, lookit the wee one! Too precious. :-) Thank you both for the advice. I will have chances to try all of these methods on the next round(s) . . . looks like a tiny sewing addiction is rapidly developing here.