This little pumpkin dress was made for my daughter Mandy about 30 years ago. The smocking needed some repair, but other than that it was in surprisingly good shape. The fabric is a little pilled on the front of the skirt, but not so much that it is noticeable. I just remember how I struggled with the piping on the peter pan collar. It was a Little Elegance pattern, and I still have a box full of them. The proportions of today's yoke dresses seem to be a little different; this dress is cut fairly wide, but I think the look is still fresh enough for Issa to enjoy this fall!
I made so many little dresses back in the late 70's, and it is quite by accident that I have this one. I lent this and a Christmas dress to a neighbor who took good care and saved them in the back of a closet. What a nice surprise to have them recently handed over the back fence! I just wish I had done a blog 30 years ago so that I could better remember all of my little dresses and the sweet little girl who wore them! 
What a treasure, Mrs. Gunn! Issa looks so sweet in Nan's little dress. Love love love your blog. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteWow---look how many posts you've added while I wasn't looking---
ReplyDeleteThe wonder is---how did YOU find time to sew (and to smock!) when YOU were a young mother? I think the answer lies in the passion and love you have for the project---not the time you have for it. Perhaps one can eke out the time for what one loves to do.
I think my mother sewed because she had to, not because she loved to, and that's why the bug didn't bite me. Did your neighbor who showed you how to sew love it? My guess is she did and that she passed that love onto you, because your love of sewing and of your grandchildren shows in every single blogpost!