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
You might find what you can use here. (http://www.infinitefreedom.com/matching-girls/index.html)
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.
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 (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.
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 (http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m4432-products-108.php?page_id=486)) 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
Quote from: LadyShadow on April 20, 2010, 12:01:58 PM
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 (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:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3597698116_00b501149d.jpg?v=0)
Oooops. Sorry Gem. I remember some one had shown us this dress, just kinda forgot who ::)
Using a simple children's bodice pattern and a rectangle of fabric:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/4006995856_5287b01989.jpg)
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.
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. :D
Yes please do post pics.