Rushbrook dress

What could possibly make my little love squeal with delight? Chocolate. Ice cream. And a blue dress with pockets, buttons and some floral print thrown in the mix. And when I say Miss L squealed with delight when I showed her the Rushbrook dress I mean just that. She had her little hands in the pockets before I managed to put the dress on her! 

The Rushbrook dress and top is the latest release from Titchy Threads. This pattern comes in a dress or a top length, has a floaty A-line silhouette and features a subtle racer back. It can look simple and sweet or one can add pockets, flutter sleeves, placket ruffle or/and a hem ruffle to change the look of the outfit. Sizes range from 12-18 months to 12 years. 

I am not new to Laura's work. I have used a couple of her patterns previously. Miss L wears her Dance Rain rompers on a regular basis. The romper pattern has a lot in common with the Rushbrook dress, so I felt confident cutting into some of my most precious fabric.

The Rushbrook dress beautifully combines a timeless shape and modern details, so it felt fitting to use denim chambray I purchased a couple of years ago from House of Cloth and a tiny amount of vintage floral fabric I had left after making this sweet tunic for my little mischief a year ago. I knew this match was made in heaven when I realised I had enough buttons of perfect colour and size in my stash.

The pattern is aimed at an intermediate sewist, however an adventurous beginner can successfully take on this project. A partial placket looks more complicated than it actually is. Laura's instructions are very clear, so if you have never made a partial placket before, this is a great pattern to try this technique. The neckline and arm openings are finished with a bias tape. All necessary pieces are provided in the pattern. I cheated and used store bought bias tape, mainly because I have a truck load of it. I bought it ages ago when I first started making my own piping but it was too narrow. So I am glad I have a chance to use it up now.

One of my favourite things about this pattern is something that cannot be seen... The hem is finished with a hem facing! I don't know what is it about hem facings that makes me go weeee! Is it my imagination or hem facings make skirts and dresses hang better? They certainly look much neater.

Does anyone else set blogging deadlines based on weather forecast? I had plenty of time to sew the dress for the tour, but only a very small window of opportunity to take photos on a warm day when Miss L could wear her dress without additional layers. A couple of days before my self-imposed deadline we entered daylight savings. I have a clock in my sewing area, and of course I forgot to adjust the time. The night before my self-allocated photo shoot day I sewed until what I thought was midnight... only to realise it was actually 1 am. For a minute I felt like a sewing rock star partying late into the night, but I did feel a little silly the following morning when I had to get up bright and early. But hey, how cute is the dress!

Miss L decided to take one of her favourite toys to a photo shoot. Woof (aka Spot) was given to her along with a book as a present for her first Birthday. She has been inseparable from this toy since! Miss L had a lot of fun climbing rocks, spinning and running during a photo shoot. She kept on putting her hands in and out of pockets. On one stage she got so busy she dropped Woof on the ground. Miss L picked him up, cleaned the dirt off him and gave him a big loving hug. While still playing with a pocket. At the age of two she can multitask like a boss!

I am pleased to be opening the blog tour alongside my sewing friend Maria. A few more talented ladies will be posting their versions of this pattern over the next few days, so make sure you say g'day to them!

10th - my cozy co / while she was sleeping   11th - Made by Sara / Pear Berry Lane   

12th - Buzzmills / Fairies, Bubbles & Co   17th - Sew Many Adventures / it's Liesel 

18th - Spools + Oodles of Fun / S is for Sewing   19th - Giddy Ants / La Folie sewing booth