Flip this Pattern - Vintage beauty

A couple of months ago I received an invitation to participate in the Flip this Pattern series run by Ashley and Emily, the lovely ladies from Frances Suzanne. I was so excited, so of course I said yes!

My version of the Croquet Dress pattern by Oliver + S was revealed yesterday. Please visit Frances Suzanne to see what three other competitors have made. We all did our best and would appreciate your votes. Each person has one vote. Voting opens on the 25th of July at 5 am CST time (that is 8 pm AEST time) and closes on the 26th of July at 11 pm CST (which is 2 pm on the 27th of July accordingly). The winner will be announced the following Monday. You can VOTE HERE.

In case you missed my creation I am re-publishing it here. And since we are among friends I thought I would tell you how my flip nearly ended up being a flop!

I enjoy challenges where I am provided with a starting point and then given freedom to do as I please. For this challenge I wanted to keep the pattern recognisable, but give it a little twist that would make it my own and unique.

I initially wanted to make an A line dress out of lightweight denim, but when Little Monkey saw my choice of fabric she said, 'Bwa' and turned away. Boy was I happy I did not cut into fabric before consulting with my little customer! You see, it is important for me to make something my daughter likes and wants to wear.

So once Little Monkey rejected my idea we started looking through my fabric stash together. Pulling fabric out, stretching it on the floor, touching and folding it together with my daughter was so much fun!

Little Monkey chose vintage floral brushed cotton that I purchased from House of Cloth. The fabric is super soft and nice to touch. It feels wonderful against the skin and it drapes beautifully. Little Monkey's choice of fabric determined a few other changes I have made.

The most noticeable change is that the dress has become a blouse. I can't explain it. This fabric had to become a blouse, not a dress.

Pintucks. Sweet little pintucks. They are such a delicate detail. For some reason I associate pintucks with vintage. Perfect for our choice of fabric! I replaced gathers on the front of the blouse with four pintucks, and I love the look!

Once it came to sewing the collar detail in place I thought my blouse was looking a little too busy. Golden ricrac helped break up the business of the print.

The other obvious change is that Little Monkey's blouse has long sleeves. I cut them too wide but instead of trimming excess fabric I narrowed the bottom of the sleeves by sewing three pintucks on each sleeve.

Another detail that I associate with vintage is a button up closure on the back of a garment.

Both Little Monkey and I love buttons. When she saw the back of her new blouse she was pleased with the amount of buttons. She is so funny!

Gorgeous blouse, isn't it? Well, this is the second blouse I made for this competition. The reason I had to start all over again is both embarrassing and funny. Look!

Doing pattern alterations well past my bed time is my only excuse! I still have no idea what I did wrong. My best guess is that somehow I lengthened one pattern piece twice. I finished the first blouse, but it was too short. Luckily I had time and fabric to start over!

So, this is my 'flip' that nearly became a flop. What do you think about Little Monkey's new blouse?

Remember, you can VOTE for your favourite look HERE.