handmade

A little while ago I came across a tutorial for a little dress with a crochet yoke on Mon Petit Violon. I finally got around to making a similar dress for Emma!

I used the original dress idea as inspiration but tweaked it here and there to suit and fit Emma.

The crochet top basically comprises of a band of Summer Garden granny squares form Attic24 and rows of simple treble stitches. The neckline is finished with a row of little chain loops that double up as button holes. The bottom of the yoke is finished with a single row of half trebles and a single row of doubles.

I also added a little patch pocket to the front of the skirt (which is just another summer garden granny with an extra round added on and a row of doubles) to pull the whole dress together.

The skirt of the dress is made of a really pretty and soft polycotton that I picked up as an off-cut in my local fabric shop a while back. If I was going to remake the dress, this would be the part I’d alter. I’d add more gathers at the top an give the dress more fullness (i.e. not skimp on fabric!) but I love how it has turned out anyway.

Actually I love LOVE how it has turned out!

Although it’s not pictured, it will be perfect with a little white t-shirt underneath now the weather is starting to warm up (fingers crossed!) for days at the park or paddling at the beach.

Although I have now realised she has no shoes that really go with this dress…. good thing she adores her pink wellies… LOL!

My mind is already spinning with ideas for different versions of this dress… and a grown up version for a top for me! But I have a list of other projects and commissions (read unfinished WiPs!!) that must be prioritised first.

I don’t know why it has taken me so long to think of combining crochet and fabric together.. especially in a clothing context… but I’m very excited by the new possibilities!

Do you combine your crochet and fabric/sewing skills? What have you made? I’d love to hear!