The Katydid Dress by ImagineGnats

Gratuitous kid picture time:

Back view - ImagineGnats Katydid Dress  Hi-lo hem - ImagineGnats Katydid Dress

It’s been a while since I posted any pictures of the kiddos and Erica has grown so much! I know that’s what kids do, but seriously, enough is enough. She is so full of joy and whining and adventurousness and “No’s”, we can barely keep up.

Last night I whipped up this cute little dress – the Katydid from Imagine Gnats.  When I say whipped, I mean WHIPPED.  This dress easily took no more than 2 hours beginning with taping the pattern and ending with futzing around trying to decide on the hem finish, and for half of that I was cutting and sewing while I was catching up with a friend on the phone.  90% of this dress is sewn on a serger.  If you don’t have a serger, you could definitely make it with a standard machine and a zig-zag stitch, but the serger is what makes it happen so fast.

As you can see, I chose to leave the hem unfinished, as in the pattern.  This is fine because knit doesn’t fray of course, but I don’t love how it’s curling up.  I think I will go back in and finish it afterall.  The bodice is lined (in my version with the same fabric) so you don’t have any fussy neckline or armhole finishes to deal with.  And the elastic around the waist uses the facing/lining for the casing – it’s a clever little detail!

I make a size 2 – Erica is a big girl for just 17 months.  I did have to shorten it by about 1.5 inches and I’d like it even a touch shorter – maxi dresses on babies might be adorable but are so not practical. Other than that, I have plans to make several more and I’m thinking about how to add a little ruffle cap-sleeve to the next one.  I’ll be sure to write up a tutorial of it when I do.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, the fabric is Orni Incandescence by Francis Newcombe for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I purchased mine in Rachel’s shop a while back and she doesn’t have any more, but you should check out her shop offerings – you’ll probably find something that you like even better!

And don’t forget to download the FREE pattern from the ImagineGnats Blog!

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